Waubonsie Valley begins at top, but keep an eye on Geneva, South Elgin, Kaneland and St. Charles North.
Top 10 Teams
1. Waubonsie Valley (23-13): The Warriors were co-champions of the DuPage Valley Conference and won their first sectional title since 2005. Junior catcher Shane Torres (Oakland) anchors the team in his third varsity season. High-end prospects Cameron Dellahousaye and Cole Ruggeri (Missouri) are intriguing pitchers.
2. Geneva (23-12): The Vikings have nine returning starters, led by two-way juniors Mason Bruesch (Michigan State) and Noah Hallahan. Both are slated to play outfield and anchor the lineup while also slotting in atop the pitching rotation. Consecutive 20-plus win seasons offer hope.
3. South Elgin (25-11): The Storm are coming off a sectional title last season but will be replacing the only coach in program history in Jim Kating. David Palmer inherits ace Zacharia Barkho plus twins Jacob and Nathan Robertson for a season with high expectations.
4. Kaneland (25-11): The Knights lost 5-4 in regional championship game to Benet, which finished second in the state in Class 3A. Sensational sophomore Kanon Baxley returns to play shortstop and contribute on the mound. Hayden Foster (Purdue Northwest) and Aidan Whildin (Elgin Community College) also are back.
5. St. Charles North (22-13): The defending DuKane Conference champions return junior pitcher Matt Ritchie (TCU), who will also play third base, along with two-way starter in senior Ben Auer (Wisconsin-Whitewater) and senior shortstop Mason Netcel (Indiana State). The early graduation of Northwestern football recruit Keaton Reinke will leave a hole difficult to fill.
6. Oswego East (17-20): The Wolves feature some of the highest-ranked talent in the state in senior outfielder Dominic Battista (Illinois-Chicago) and junior shortstop Jacsen Tucker (Oklahoma State). Veteran outfielder Niko Villacci, a senior, also returns. The pitching is raw but the offense will be potent.
7. Yorkville (16-17-1): Coming off down year by their standards, Foxes return 10 players who are already committed to college. Senior shortstop Jailen Veliz (Lewis) leads that group of returnees. Kal Arntzen (Aurora University) is also back to help lead talented group of youngsters.
8. Jacobs (16-20): The Golden Eagles had an uncharacteristic sub-.500 season, but 17 players return. Pitching is still a concern, but senior shortstop Andrew Deegan (Belmont) anchors loaded offense. New York transfer Elliot Ross and sophomore pitcher/utility Jack Coates figure to be breakout candidates.
9. St. Charles East (15-19): The Saints are looking to get back to winning ways behind senior shortstop James Feigleson (Illinois-Chicago) and senior ace Nathan Moline (Elgin Community College). Dylan McCabe returns for third varsity season and senior pitcher Gavin Fuscone, who has overcome injuries, looks to be breakout candidate.
10. Bartlett (19-17-1): The Hawks feature top-heavy talent in four-year varsity players Josh Colaizzi (McHenry) and Brandon Pelz (Valparaiso) and three-year varsity regular Vince Yario (Harper). Last season, the Hawks won first regional title since 2013 and hope to build on that.
The 25 Players to Watch
• Oscar Alexander Jr., West Aurora, junior, catcher.
• Ben Auer, St. Charles North, senior, outfielder.
• Zacharia Barkho, South Elgin, senior, pitcher/shortstop.
• Dominic Battista, Oswego East, senior, outfielder.
• Kanon Baxley, Kaneland, sophomore, shortstop.
• Braden Behringer, Sandwich, senior, infielder.
• Mason Bruesch, Geneva, junior, pitcher/outfielder.
• Josh Colaizzi, Bartlett, senior, outfielder/pitcher.
• Brodie Curry, Aurora Central Catholic, senior, outfielder.
• Andrew Deegan, Jacobs, senior, shortstop.
• James Feigleson, St. Charles East, senior, shortstop.
• Tyler Gluting, Metea Valley, junior, outfielder/pitcher.
• Noah Hallahan, Geneva, junior, outfielder/pitcher.
• Nathan Moline, St. Charles East, senior, pitcher.
• Mason Netcel, St. Charles North, senior, shortstop.
• Brandon Pelz, Bartlett, senior, pitcher/infielder.
• Jameson Rapinchuk, Harvest-Westminster, senior, pitcher/first baseman.
• Matt Ritchie, St. Charles North, junior, pitcher.
• Cole Ruggeri, Waubonsie Valley, junior, pitcher.
• Zach Toma, West Aurora, senior, first baseman/pitcher.
• Shane Torres, Waubonsie Valley, junior, catcher.
• Jacsen Tucker, Oswego East, junior, shortstop.
• Jailen Veliz, Yorkville, senior, shortstop.
• Vince Yario, Bartlett, senior, third baseman/pitcher.
• Charlie Zebig, Marmion, senior, infielder.
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
