An inside look at Baseball 2013
March 17, 2013 7:12PM
DID YOU KNOW ...
Minooka DH/left fielder Steve Wittkamp missed last year’s state tournament because of a broken hand. He is fully healed.
Even though Minooka is known for its football program, coach Jeff Petrovic said the town primarily is “a baseball town,” and that many of the school’s athletes play more than one sport — something uncommon among Class 4A schools.
The WJOL Tournament, hosted by Providence and Lockport on March 28 and 30, is going to give participating teams an early indication as to how they rate against some of the state’s best competition. Lemont, Plainfield North, Marist and Providence are some of the teams in the field.
Lemont is sending two athletes to college careers at LSU. One is football player Ethan Pocic. The other is pitcher Jake Latz, a junior.
THEY SAID IT
“I feel great, even though sometimes there is a big letdown after a great year.” — Minooka coach Jeff Petrovic
“Our kids did not grow up playing with those guys. All our kids know everyone from our area teams.” — Joliet Catholic coach Jared Voss, on how his players are more familiar with neighboring programs than with teams from the East Suburban Catholic Conference.
“Our schedule is loaded from top to bottom, and the Catholic League is loaded. In a two-week span, we have to play St. Rita twice, St. Laurence twice and Mount Carmel. They will all be top five programs.” — Providence coach Mark Smith.
“A lot of people think it’s the lazy, fat kid.” — Lockport catcher Derek Bangert, on the biggest misconception people have of catchers.
SENIORS TO WATCH
Nick Anderson, Wilmington, C/IF/OF.
Derek Bangert, Lockport, C.
Max Brozovich, Minooka, 1B.
Joe Carnargio, Minooka, 3B.
Jake Herron, Joliet West, RHP.
Brendan Miller, Plainfield North, RHP.
Ryan Peter, Joliet Catholic, 1B.
Ted Snidanko, Lockport, OF.
Chris Tschida, Joliet Catholic, SS.
Alex Voitik, Joliet Catholic, C.
Steve Waldrop, Bolingbrook, P.
Devin Williams, Providence, SS.
JUNIORS TO WATCH
Dan Brokop, Lincoln-Way West, 1B.
Jake Godfrey, Providence, RHP.
Trevor Henderson, Plainfield South, P/1B.
Jake Latz, Lemont, LHP.
Javy Montalvo, Lincoln-Way West, OF.
Mike Papierski, Lemont, C.
Dylan Rosa, Providence, 3B.
Tim Smyk, Morris, P.
SOPHOMORES TO WATCH
Nicky Dalesandro, Joliet Catholic, OF/RHP.
Steve Skolarz, Lincoln-Way West, RHP.
Austin Blazevich, Plainfield Central, P/INF.
NOTABLE MULTISPORT ATHLETES
Kurt Palandech, of Plainfield North, starred for the school’s football and basketball teams. He’s going to be the Tigers’ starting shortstop for the third consecutive season.
Joe Carnargio (quarterback) and Max Brozovich (wide receiver), of Minooka, were on the football team in the the fall.
Joliet Catholic’s Ryan Peter made a name for himself in basketball, but returns to the baseball diamond.
NOWHERE TO GO BUT UP
“We have some work to do” is the phrase Reed-Custer coach Jerry Cougill and his staff have posted on the Comets’ bulletin board since the end of last season. Cougill refers to the 2012 season as “the perfect storm” after the Comets finished 11-27 and the team seemed to set school records in “every negative category there is.”
COAL BITS
Coal City outfielder Nate Natyshok set a state record last season by hitting four triples in a game.
Also, the Coalers have finished first or second for 17 consecutive years in the Interstate Eight. They’ve also won nine regional titles.
