As Libertyville takes its shot at a repeat, Warren and Highland Park are among the teams looming in the sectional.
State title defense begins
Libertyville has experienced its share of travails after winning the Class 4A state championship last season. There have been injuries, lineup maneuverings and a long line of opponents targeting the Wildcats.
But as the 2026 postseason begins, Libertyville looks poised for another deep run.
“It’s felt different this year, and we’ve definitely seen a lot of aces throwing against us, which is good,” Libertyville coach Matt Thompson said. “Our defense has typically been pretty good, and if we play well, we can beat anybody.”
The Wildcats (24-10-1, 11-3) may not have been as dominant as some predicted, but they won the North Suburban Conference title for the sixth straight year and faced a difficult nonconference schedule that included 2025 Class 4A state runner-up McHenry, Brother Rice, New Trier, Lane Tech and Grayslake Central.
“For me personally, and the guys who have been through last year, it definitely helps a lot to have been in those scenarios when anybody can beat anybody,” Libertyville senior pitcher Chase Lockwood said. “They’re high-intensity games, but if you put too much pressure on yourself, you’ll fold under that pressure.”
Lockwood, an Illinois State recruit who was named the conference pitcher of the year for the second time in three years, is the Wildcats’ undisputed ace and has been as good as advertised, going 7-1 with a 2.41 ERA.
Playoff starts with high stakes are nothing new to Lockwood, who threw an eight-inning five-hitter against Normal in the state semifinals last year. He will make his 2026 postseason debut in the Class 4A Hoffman Estates Regional championship game on Saturday if the Wildcats, who are the No. 1 seed in the Libertyville Sectional, beat the 17th-seeded host Hawks on Wednesday.
Senior Nico Harper, an Olivet Nazarene commit who is 5-0 with a 2.55 ERA, also starts, and junior Brady Buenik, a Tennessee recruit, will come out of the bullpen. Junior Aksel McKnight, who is 4-1 with a 1.40 ERA, has been steady, and two other juniors, Bradley recruit Madden Cotts and Kaden Butt, also are viable pitching options.
“We have a great group of guys, so I think we’ll be OK,” Lockwood said. “A lot of these guys were on JV last year, so we’ve talked to them to get them on the same page.”
Junior catcher Ryan Wilberding‘s return to the lineup makes that group even better. The Marshall recruit suffered a wrist injury on April 6 and had two hits against Glenbrook North in his first game back on Saturday. He was hitting .433 with four home runs and 17 RBIs in just 10 games when he was sidelined.
Sophomore catcher Weston Wyzukovicz, who projects among the next wave of high-tier Libertyville players, did well in Wilberding’s absence. But Wilberding’s presence makes a difference. Cotts has moved into the leadoff spot, and senior Carson Holmes, who batted almost .500 in the playoffs last year, and cleanup hitter Braden Tolzien, a senior who is batting .363 with 26 RBIs, will augment Wilberding in the middle of the order.
“That kid can really swing the bat, and it’s been tough without him,” Lockwood said of Wilberding. “He’s been itching, and he’s going to do some great things in the playoffs.”
Warren wants to win more
After reaching the 20-win plateau for the second straight season, Warren will pursue its first regional title since 2022.
Front and center for the Blue Devils (21-10, 9-5), who were in contention for the NSC title until the final week of the regular season, are four pitchers.
The three starters in the quartet — senior Peyton Balanag, a College of Lake County commit; senior Braylan McCarthy, a Milwaukee Area Technical commit; and junior Alex Kolcier – have started 25 of 32 games and combined for 125 innings.
Then there’s junior Mason Palmer, who has posted a 0.88 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 32 innings out of the bullpen. Opponents have batted .123 against him.
“Every time any of those four guys are out there for us, we know we’re in the game,” Warren coach Clint Smothers said. “There’s not a lot for us to worry about, and there’s less pressure on the offense.”
Their ability to get outs was on display during a doubleheader against Northern Lake County Conference champion Lakes on Saturday. Warren won each game 7-2, and every pitch was thrown by those four players. They combined to strike out 24.
“We look at it like we have a bunch of guys who can throw in any situation and we’ll put up a good fight,” Kolcier said. “The defense knows we’re not going to walk a bunch of guys, and if they play solid, we’ll be out of the inning. It always starts with the pitching.”
The Blue Devils are the No. 2 seed in the Libertyville Sectional. If they get past 15th-seeded Wheeling in the Palatine Regional semifinals on Wednesday, 10th-seeded conference rival Lake Zurich could be waiting in the regional final on Saturday.
“We know the regional is right there for us,” Kolcier said. “We just have to go take it. It feels really good to win, and this is the year for us to do more of it.”
Giants stand tall
After winning the Central Suburban League North title for the third time in four years, Highland Park has its sights set on winning its first regional title since 2019.
This group is particularly close, according to senior outfielder Ben Hilgart, and he thinks that makes a difference.
“I feel the biggest thing about this team is our team chemistry is very high,” Hilgart said. “When we don’t have games, we do a lot of activities together. We’re a bunch of guys who enjoy being with each other. We’ve been playing loose and having fun.”
The Giants (24-8, 14-1), who are seeded sixth in the Libertyville Sectional and will play 11th-seeded Conant in the Buffalo Grove Regional semifinals on Thursday, also have plenty of talent on the field. That includes the conference player of the year, senior outfielder Paxton Feder, and the conference pitcher of the year, senior Cooper Kasdin.
Feder has made an impact on offense and defense.
“There have been so many balls hit in the gaps or over his head, and you think there’s no way he’ll get them, but he does,” Hilgart said. “He’s an on-base machine, and when he gets on base, he’s a real spark for us with his speed.”
Meanwhile, Kasdin has taken a step forward on the mound this season.
“Cooper has been so consistent,” Hilgart said. “When you need a strikeout, he gets it, and he sets up a lot of weak contact. He was good in 2025, but this year he’s been close to unhittable.”
10 players to watch
Peyton Balanag, Warren, senior, pitcher: Has a 6-2 record with a 3.05 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings.
Brett Beerbower, Lakes, senior, pitcher: Has a 6-0 record with a 2.22 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 47 innings. Also is batting .343 with 18 RBIs.
Nate Brezak, Lake Forest, senior, pitcher: Has an 8-3 record with a 1.44 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 53 innings.
Carson Hamblin, Lake Zurich, junior, outfielder: Batting .484 with a 1.421 OPS, five home runs, 29 RBIs, 41 runs scored and 16 stolen bases in 16 attempts.
Chase Lockwood, Libertyville, senior, pitcher: Has a 7-1 record with a 2.41 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings.
Braylan McCarthy, Warren, senior, pitcher: Has an 8-3 record with a 3.19 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings. Also is batting .394 with a .964 OPS.
Callum Morrison, Lake Forest, senior, pitcher: Has an 8-2 record with a 1.63 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 47 innings.
Jackson Rudolph, Wauconda, senior, third baseman: Batting .400 with a 1.045 OPS, 33 RBIs and 36 runs scored.
Alex Toth, Lake Zurich, junior, third baseman: Batting .435 with a 1.244 OPS, four home runs, 27 RBIs and 22 runs scored.
Carson Woods, Grayslake Central, senior, second baseman: Batting .473 with 30 RBIs and 29 runs scored.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
