April 01, 2025
Sports

High school baseball: Glenbard North starts conference title defense with new look

By JASON ROSSI
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Glenbard North's Nick Barrett throws the ball to first base last season in a supersectional playoff game against Oak Park-River Forest. Barrett will one of the key players for the Panthers this spring. (Shaw Media)

The first pitch of the high school baseball season already has been thrown, and teams across the state are on a journey they hope will culminate in a trip to the state finals. Here is the outlook for Glenbard North, Glenbard West and St. Francis this season:

Glenbard North Panthers

COACH: Rich Smelko

2015 RECORD: 26-11

TOP PLAYERS

Name Year Pos.

Nick Barrett sr. SS

Mark Cerabona sr. P/2B

Zach Heck jr. C

Neal Shah sr. P/OF

Alex Taylor sr. 1B

Kyle Tintera sr. OF

OUTLOOK: Last year's DuPage Valley Conference champions went on to win regional and sectional titles, but many of the key contributors from that team have moved on, including ace pitcher Eric Orze, who went 12-0 with a 1.06 ERA last season. No. 2 pitcher Luke Greenberg also is gone after winning seven games and batting .325 with 29 RBIs. But the Panthers' cupboard isn't completely bare. Nick Barrett moves from second base to shortstop and will anchor the batting order after hitting a team-best .439 last spring. Zach Heck returns behind the plate, and Neal Shah pitched 30 innings last season and will slot into the No. 1 pitching spot. Mark Cerabona and juniors Nick Frawley and Nick Kuhar will figure into the rotation.

Glenbard West Hilltoppers

COACH: Andy Schultz

2015 RECORD: 15-18

TOP PLAYERS

Name Year Pos.

Arno Curtis sr. 3B/1B/P

Sam Kaske jr. P/1B

Zach Lutz sr. CF/P

Justin O’Neal sr. P/IF

Matt Shoub sr. SS

OUTLOOK: As is the case in most seasons, the graduation of a few seniors left some question marks, but the Hilltoppers have a solid group of five starters coming back, including four pitchers. "We were young on the mound last year, and now we're going to rely on their experience to lead us this year," head coach Andy Schultz said. Arno Curtis, Sam Kaske, Zach Lutz and Justin O'Neal all are back in the rotation. Shortstop Matt Shoub is another starter returning to the mix. He will anchor the defense and bat third in the order. Curtis, a University of Chicago commit, bats fourth. Lutz also will be a mainstay in the lineup, but outside of the core group there are some unknowns. "The middle of our lineup is experienced, but we also have a lot of guys without varsity at-bats working their way from sophomore to varsity," Schultz said.

St. Francis Spartans

COACH: Nick Hall

2015 RECORD: 27-10

TOP PLAYERS

Name Year Pos.

Michael Beach sr. OF

Foster Heise sr. 1B

Tim Lilly sr. 3B

Will Purdom sr. OF

Tim Sullivan jr. SS/P

Brett Whelton sr. C

Colin Wisted sr. P

OUTLOOK: After finishing third in Class 3A last season, the Spartans expect to be just as competitive this season, even with a move into the competitive Chicago Catholic League Blue division. Mike Beach, Tim Lilly, Will Purdom and Brett Whelton all batted over. 300 last season. Foster Heise and Tim Sullivan also are back after seeing extensive playing time. Lilly (Villanova) and Whelton (McNeese State) are Division I recruits and Heise is headed to D-III North Central. Sullivan will be the starting shortstop, Whelton will bring a wealth of experience behind the plate, and Heise and Lilly will anchor the corner infield spots. Sullivan, Wisted and Ryan Hodgett will lead the pitching staff, with senior JP Clifford also figuring into the rotation. Hodgett is a college prospect making his return after sitting out last season because of Tommy John surgery.