Steve Reaven

Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

‘Broken,’ Libertyville’s Michael Addari rebuilds at Illinois State. Then Houston Astros pick him in MLB draft.

July 14, 2026 at 6:23 a.m.

Michael Addari, told by Michigan State that he wasn't in the plans after his freshman year, led the Missouri Valley Conference in ERA in 2026.

Lyons pitcher Jack Slightom’s rapid gains make him one of MLB draft’s top prospects: ‘He elevated himself’

July 10, 2026 at 6:10 a.m.

Jack Slightom, a 6-foot-5 right-hander who has committed to Cincinnati, started to focus on pitching only a year ago.

Illinois baseball adds former Libertyville star Quinn Schambow. Will he be ‘the best catcher in the Big Ten’?

July 6, 2026 at 7:07 a.m.

Quinn Schambow, who helped Libertyville win a state title in 2025, has transferred to Illinois after one season at Oklahoma State.

Introducing the 2026 News-Sun Baseball All-Area Team

June 24, 2026 at 9:50 a.m.

Four players each from Grayslake Central, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Mundelein, Warren and Wauconda are among the selections.

A 2-time state champion, Libertyville’s Chase Lockwood is the 2026 News-Sun Baseball Player of the Year

June 24, 2026 at 7:29 a.m.

Illinois State recruit Chase Lockwood went 12-1 with a 1.89 ERA as he led Libertyville to its second straight state title.

Struggling, Libertyville’s Carson Holmes goes back to ‘old reliable.’ One more time to be a 2-time champion.

June 16, 2026 at 11:05 a.m.

Libertyville's Carson Holmes chooses a different bat, his own, and hits the game-winning single in the state championship game.

Madden Cotts, whose dad is familiar to Chicago baseball fans, stars as Libertyville wins state title again

June 16, 2026 at 6:40 a.m.

Behind Madden Cotts, Libertyville tops Maine South in eight innings to repeat as the Class 4A state champion.

Libertyville’s Brady Buenik, ‘blocking everything out,’ dominates Mount Carmel in 4A state semifinal

June 13, 2026 at 6:21 a.m.

Tennessee recruit Brady Buenik doesn't allow a run until the seventh inning as defending Class 4A state champion Libertyville prevails in the state semifinals.

Senior Braden Tolzien swings Libertyville back to state in his only varsity season. ‘I knew this was my year.’

June 11, 2026 at 8:40 a.m.

Braden Tolzien could only watch as Libertyville won the state title last year. He has a much different vantage point this season.

Libertyville ace Chase Lockwood has won a state semifinal. Trying to return, he gets in jams. Then gets outs.

June 10, 2026 at 6:57 a.m.

Illinois State recruit Chase Lockwood doesn't allow an earned run as Libertyville edges Lane Tech in a Class 4A supersectional.

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