A CELTIC FORCE - Daily Southtown

BASEBALL SEASON PREVIEW

A CELTIC FORCE

Providence stoked to defend state title, but Lincoln-Way West also will contend

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Providence’s Nate O’Donnell throws a pitch against Conant during the 2024 Class 4A state championship game at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet. Troy Stolt/Daily Southtown

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Top 10 Teams

1. Providence (33-8)

Defending Class 4A champions are led by senior infielder/pitcher Nate O’Donnell (Minnesota), the 2024 Daily Southtown Baseball Player of the Year. He’s joined in an experienced starting rotation by seniors Kasten Goebbert (Gulf Coast Community College) and Cooper Eggert (SIU Edwardsville). Six starters return in the lineup, highlighted by senior utility man Enzo Infelise (Cincinnati).

2. Lincoln-Way West (30-5)

Senior outfielder/pitcher Conor Essenburg (Kentucky) and senior infielder/pitcher Lucas Acevedo (Illinois-Chicago) are two-way stars. Junior Michael Pettit (Notre Dame) and seniors Anthony Vita (Drury) and Adam Gerl (Wisconsin-Parkside) add to a deep pitching staff.

3. Brother Rice (20-18)

Crusaders coach Sean McBride believes this is the most talented team he’s had. Senior infielders Gavin Triezenberg (Arizona) and Aidan Nohava (Eastern Michigan), senior infielder/pitcher Jackson Natanek (Illinois State) and junior outfielder Nolan Ramoley (Kentucky) lead the way.

4. Lemont (31-10)

The 2024 Class 3A runners-up have a strong chance to contend again. The team returns its top three pitchers in seniors Shea Glotzbach (Missouri-St. Louis) and Donovan Moleski (Carrollton) and junior Cannon Madej. Senior outfielder Jacob Parr (Ohio State) leads an experienced lineup.

5. Mount Carmel (21-15)

A season-ending injury to junior ace Ian Tosi (Miami) is a huge blow, but junior righty Connor Elenteny (Notre Dame) looks to fill the void at the top of the rotation. Junior infielders TJ McQuillan (Wake Forest) and Joey Ireland (Illinois) lead a deep, talented lineup.

6. Joliet Catholic (29-6)

Senior lefties Lucas Grant (Purdue) and Cooper Kubinski (Heartland) anchor a strong pitching staff. Senior catcher Zach Pomatto (Northern Kentucky), senior outfielder Keegan Farnaus (Quincy) and junior infielder Lucas Simulick (Eastern Illinois) lead the offense.

7. St. Laurence (31-6)

Junior utility man Daniel Coyle and junior outfielder Cory Les (Louisville) anchor a speedy lineup for a team that stole 172 bases last spring. After a season-ending injury to senior ace Joe Olson (Louisville), pitching depth will need to be developed behind senior John Strzechowski.

8. Reavis (30-5)

Rams bring back largely the same roster after last season’s success, led by senior infielder/pitcher Tino Villagomez (Lake Land), junior infielder Jonathan Liesen and junior pitcher Juan Avila. The one big change? Kyle McKinley has replaced retiring coach Don Erickson, who led the team for the last 31 years.

9. Lincoln-Way Central (24-7)

It’s a new era for Knights as Ryan Kutt takes over as coach and a decorated senior class from last season is gone. But the cupboard is far from bare as senior outfielder Liam Arsich (Toledo) and senior infielder/pitchers Luke Mensik (Xavier) and Jack Dykas (Wisconsin-Parkside) take control.

10. Homewood-Flossmoor (19-17)

Vikings have a strong one-two pitching punch in juniors Henry Humes (Navy) and Cormac Saunders. The offense will need to take a leap behind senior infielder/outfielder Demir Heidelberg (Eastern Michigan) and senior infielder/pitcher Derrick Holmes (Mercyhurst).

The 25 Players to Watch

Lucas Acevedo, Lincoln-Way West, senior, infielder/pitcher

Jack Bauer, Lincoln-Way East, senior, pitcher

Justin Canvin, Oak Lawn, junior, utility

Sean Cody, Richards, senior, infielder/pitcher

Daniel Coyle, St. Laurence, junior, utility

Joey DalPonte, Lockport, senior, infielder/pitcher

Connor Elenteny, Mount Carmel, junior, pitcher

Conor Essenburg, Lincoln-Way West, senior, outfielder/pitcher

Aidan Flinn, Marist, senior, pitcher

Lucas Grant, Joliet Catholic, senior, pitcher

Henry Humes, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, pitcher

Enzo Infelise, Providence, senior, utility

Aiden Licea-Gonzales, Bremen, sophomore, infielder/pitcher

TJ McQuillan, Mount Carmel, junior, infielder

Luke Mensik, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, infielder/pitcher

Bren Milburn, Crete-Monee, senior, infielder, pitcher

Kaleb Navarro, De La Salle, senior, utility

Nate O’Donnell, Providence, senior, infielder/pitcher

Jacob Parr, Lemont, senior, outfielder

Peyton Panozzo, St. Rita, senior, infielder/pitcher

Nolan Ramoley, Brother Rice, junior, outfielder

Jake Ross, Andrew, senior, pitcher

Rowan Smyth, Evergreen Park, senior, outfielder/pitcher

Gavin Triezenberg, Brother Rice, senior, infielder

Tino Villagomez, Reavis, senior, infielder/pitcher

— Steve Millar