Libertyville returns to the top spot as Warren returns to the top 10, and Deerfield’s Chase Golding is the player of the week.
Top 10
With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Libertyville 13-6-1 (2): Nico Harper throws a two-hitter with six strikeouts against Lakes for the defending Class 4A state champion, which also beats Grayslake Central.
2. Grayslake Central 16-2 (1): TJ Rodriguez allows one run over five innings in the Northern Lake County Conference leader’s win over Lake Forest.
3. Lake Forest 15-3 (3): Nate Brezak allows one run in five innings of a victory over Lake Zurich and hits .462 as the North Suburban Conference leader wins three of four games.
4. Mundelein 11-5 (4): Chase Moy and Paolo Amidei each pitches five scoreless innings in the Mustangs’ back-to-back wins over Vernon Hills and Hersey.
5. Lakes 14-3-1 (5): Brett Beerbower allows only an infield single and strikes out eight over six innings in the Eagles’ win over Deerfield.
6. Highland Park 12-4 (6): Simon Rose pitches a shutout in the Central Suburban North leader’s win over Niles West and homers in two of three wins against Maine East.
7. Vernon Hills 10-6-1 (9): Connor Brockway and Devin Ratajczyk each racks up four hits in the Cougars’ two wins against Niles North.
8. Stevenson 12-8 (8): Ben Merdalo bats .636 and Brody Aaron bats .556 with two doubles and a home run as the Patriots win three of four games.
9. Warren 10-6 (NR): Braylan McCarthy goes 2-0, pitching a four-hit shutout in one of the Blue Devils’ two wins over Zion-Benton.
10. Wauconda 10-7 (10): Brody Rudolph and Luke Sickmeir combine for five of the Bulldogs’ seven hits in a win over Lake Zurich.
Player of the week
Junior first baseman Chase Golding hits a grand slam and a go-ahead three-run homer during Deerfield’s Central Suburban South wins over Evanston.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
