2025 IHSA Season: 1A/2A Check-In
April 10, 2025
Currently in the middle of week four of the 2025 IHSA season, our staff wanted to take a look at some of the 1A and 2A programs that are performing well across the state. There’s plenty of talent up and down these lineups, most notably Father McGivney who we have ranked in our Power 25 at No. 18 in the state.
Our goal is to continue to shine a light on some of the top talent and teams all across the state, and make mention of players off to good starts to the 2025 campaign.
To continue to shine more light on players and teams each week, we ask coaches to submit to us players on their rosters that played an impact on their team the week prior, which then gets published within the IHSA Diamond Notes every Wednesday, found here.
Each week we also publish our Player of the Week stories, Scout Blogs and Power 25 updates. And every morning we post the Daily Roundup, highlighting every score in Illinois from the day prior, with write-ups on a plethora of games.
If you haven’t yet, be sure to follow us on our social media platforms for all of our content or high school game coverage:
Note: Statistics are as of 4/9/25 and teams are listed in alphabetical order.
1A
Altamont (7-2): The Indians are back to their winning ways in 2025 after finishing as the runner-up in Class 1A last season. CIF Keegan Schultz (2025; Kaskaskia JC) has been on a tear this year, hitting .516 with two home runs, five doubles, 16 RBI and nine runs scored. Alongside him is OF Brayden Elam (2026) and RHP/SS Kaden Milleville (2026) - Elam is batting .389 with two home runs, one triple, seven RBI and 11 runs scored while Milleville is hitting .312 with six doubles, five RBI and nine runs scored. He’s also 3-0 on the mound with 37 strikeouts to only one walk, while also only allowing one earned run in 24.2 innings pitched.
No. 18 Father McGivney (11-2): The Griffins are the lone 1A program in our Prep Baseball Illinois Power 25 rankings, and rightfully so, as their program is loaded with talented prospects all across the board. As of this writing, their only two losses are to Briarcrest Christian (TN) and Magnolia Heights (MS) both ranks within their respective states. Currently leading their charge on offense is INF Justin Terhaar (2025; Missouri-St. Louis) and MIF Drew Kleinheider (2025; St. Louis). Terhaar is currently hitting .514 (team best) with three extra base hits, 16 RBI and 17 runs scored, while Kleinheider is hitting .543 with six extra base hits, 15 RBI, and 19 runs scored. OF Omar Avalos (2027) also brings a .389 average with three home runs - while RHP Mason Holmes (2025; Hendrix College), and 1B/RHP Isaac Wendler (2026) are both hitting above the .300 mark as well. RHP Chase Kelley (2025; Spoon River) is undefeated on the mound (4-0) with 18 strikeouts and a 1.26 ERA.
Monmouth United (10-2): The Red Storm’s only two losses on the year come to No. 7 Nazareth Academy and Farmington. They’ve put up 115 runs on the year so far, and we’ve seen a quality arm in LHP Tanner Rogers (2025; Monmouth College) who was up to 86 mph from the left side in the winter of 2024 - already having 30 strikeouts in just 13 innings on the year. Ian Leffler (2026) is leading the way offensively, hitting .583 (team best) with five doubles, 20 RBI (team best) and 16 runs scored (team best). Leffler has also tallied 38 strikeouts, only four walks and two earned runs in 19.2 innings pitched. To add, they have four more pieces on offense hitting over the .400 mark, all with 28 at-bats or more.
Ottawa Marquette (10-1): The Crusaders are coming off a 1A State Championship where they defeated Altamont 6-2. They’ve perennially been one of the top ‘small’ schools in the entire state under Coach Todd Hopkins’ 26-year career where he has amassed 650 wins, two state titles, and five trips to the state tournament. They return many impact players from last year’s lineup, including uncommitted RHP/SS Alec Novotney (2026), who’s shown one of the best curveball/slider combos in the state with a fastball up to 89 mph. 1B Sam Mitre (2025; Parkland JC) adds some big thump in the middle of their lineup, while INF Griffin Dobberstein (2027), C Keaton Davis (2025; Spoon River JC), OF Grant Dose (2026), and RHP/INF Anthony Couch (2026) are a few more names that provide impact offensively. So far, they’ve outscored their opponents 113-8.
Putnam County (9-1): The Panthers suffered their first loss of the season this past Monday, but came back with an 11-1 win over Bureau Valley. Coach Newsome is in his 10th year at PC and has collected a 169-100 record in that time, which includes two Regional Titles. INF/RHP Johnathon Stunkel (2026) is a name that has shown well in front of our staff that bats atop the Panther lineup. They play in a tough 1A conference with Marquette (mentioned above) and St. Bede, mentioned below.
Routt Catholic (7-1): The Rockets made their way to the state finals last year and finished third with a 3-0 win over Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley. Returning a majority of their team from last year, they look like yet again one of the top teams in the class. C Talon Thompson (2026) is currently leading the way with a .536 batting average, five doubles and nine RBI - while senior OF Jace Lautemann (2025) is hitting .484 with a home run, four extra base hits, eight RBI and 16 runs scored. 1B/LHP Brady Turner (2026) and Eli Olson (2025) are hitting .481 and .462 respectively, with Turner leading the team in RBI (13). He also leads the team in strikeouts (22) and is second in innings pitched (15).
St. Bede (8-0): The Bruins are coached by Bill Booker who’s tallied 151 wins in nine years at St. Bede, and they’re coming off a 22-win season where they won a regional title. They’re off to a hot start to their 2025 campaign, outscoring their opponents 60-19 which includes playing some bigger programs like Ottawa, Kewanee and Hall.
Other 1A Teams to Know: Calhoun (5-0), Dwight (8-3), Edwards County (5-1), Heyworth (5-2), Neoga (5-1), North Clay (5-3), Roanoke-Benson (7-3), West Central (5-1)
2A
Chicago Hope (8-3): Last year, Chicago Hope won 27 games and made it to a Super-Sectional before losing to Newman Central Catholic. This season they’re off to another good start, and they’re being led by Davian Villalobos (2025) who’s hitting .394 with three doubles, 13 RBI (team best) and 11 runs scored. Seniors Elias Diaz and Jorge Matos Jr. (Milwaukee School of Engineering) are hitting .379 and .364, respectively - Diaz has two home runs, six RBI and six runs scored to his credit, and Matos has four extra base hits, seven RBI and 12 runs scored (team best). Eric Delgado (2026) currently leads their team in batting average (.409) while also tallying seven RBI and seven runs scored.
Coal City (12-1): The lone loss of the year for the Coalers so far comes to No. 8 Minooka, but since that loss they’ve gone on to win nine games in a row. They’ve scored 126 runs while allowing only 59 in their first 12 games of the season. LHP/OF Lance Cuddy and LHP/UTL Ethan Olson are a pair of juniors getting it done on both sides of the ball. At the plate, Cuddy is hitting .486 with six home runs, one triple, four doubles, 20 RBI and 21 runs scored. On the mound, he’s 3-0 with 33 strikeouts, three walks and only three runs allowed in 18.2 innings pitched. Olson is hitting .483 with one home run, one triple, six doubles, 23 RBI and nine runs scored. On the mound, he’s 4-0 with 33 strikeouts, 12 walks, and three runs allowed in 17 innings pitched. Senior Gabe McHugh has tallied a home run this season with two triples, two doubles, eight RBI and 18 runs scored.
Eureka (10-1): The Hornets return in 2025 after a 23-win season where their post-season expectations were hurt by a first round loss to Illini West. Their lone loss this season comes to 3A Washington, and they’re currently outscoring opponents 102-40. Coach Dane Wear has been at the helm for 18 years, and since the 2013 season, they’ve won 20 games or more in all but one season, and in the time frame they’ve won eight regional titles, including a fourth-place finish at state. They’ve consistently been one of the top teams in the class under Coach Wear’s tenure, and this season looks to be no different.
Illini West (9-1): The Chargers picked up a Regional Championship and 28 wins in 2024, and they’re back to their winning ways this year, outscoring opponents 99-23 in 10 games this spring. Junior MIF Wesley Robertson is leading their offense this season hitting .500 with two home runs, two triples, one double, eight RBI and 11 runs scored. He’s also tallied 18 strikeouts on the mound and four walks in 13.1 innings pitched. Grady Blue (.381), Nick Bruns (.375), and Shawn Watkins Jr (.346) have all added to their strong start to the year.
Monticello (9-2): Was one of the top 2A programs in the state last year going 31-5 and 8-1 in conference play. With the return of RHP Ike Young (2025; Illinois), the Sages bring a true ace on the mound with reports of him now working in the low-to-mid-90s on the bump. C Eli Craft (2025; John A. Logan) is another returner, and he’s always looked the part of one of the best defensive backstops in the entire state. OF Carter Foran (2025), INF Koyie Williams (2026), and CIF Colton Vance (2025; Augustana) are a few more names that we’ve seen show well in the past.
Nashville (7-0): The Hornets just keep winning, and even more impressively, they aren’t allowing runs. In their seven games played they’ve only allowed six runs, four of which in their first game against Red Bud. Their offense has scored 70 runs on the season, scoring 10 runs or more in over half of their games thus far. A name on their roster that we’ve seen as of late is RHP Lucas Dunn (2026). He features a fastball up to 88 mph with quality spin on both his slider and curveball. So far this season he’s thrown 16 innings and struck out 39 batters.
Newman Central Catholic (8-1-1): The Comets return in 2025 after a fourth place finish in Class 2A last season, which included a 26-win season. C Ashton Miner (2027) is a key returner this season, currently hitting .609 with four doubles, 14 RBI and nine runs scored. OF Chase Decker (2025) is second on the team in batting average (.459), with two triples (team high), three doubles, 15 RBI (team high) and 12 runs scored. MIF Garret Matznick (2026) is also having a productive season hitting .323 with five doubles, seven RBI and 15 runs scored (team high).
Normal University (6-2): The Pioneers return a ton of pitching and positional depth, and they’re continually one of the top programs in the Central Illinois region. They have a plethora of college commits with OF Max Wille (2025; South Suburban JC), OF Connor MacMillan (2025; Lewis), DH Will Paxson (2025; Oakland), OF Deegan Aeilts (2025; Kankakee CC), and OF/INF Lawson Shickel (2025; Augustana) leading the way. That’s not mentioning RHP Braden Deverman (2025), who’s returning this year after an injury and we’ve seen him work in the upper-80s - along with RHP Ethan Kieser (2025) who’s a pitchability arm with a mid-80s fastball and advanced slider. Junior RHP Josh Jones is another mid-to-upper-80s arm with a quality breaking ball, and C Caleb Hornbrook (2026) is a strong right-handed hitter with advanced actions behind the plate. Their roster is full of talent, and if they can continue to put it all together, they look like a top 2A program in Illinois this spring.
Pleasant Plains (8-0): The Cardinals are off to a hot start in 2025 after coming off a 29-win season and an 8-1 record in conference. Senior C Zach Ponce is hitting .438 this year with a double and four RBI, while junior Drew Green is hitting .385 with four doubles, nine RBI and one run scored. A pair of freshmen are getting the job done in Andrew Potthoff and Landon Maisenbacher. Pothoff is hitting .375, and Maisenbacher is hitting .333 with five runs scored.
Sacred Heart-Griffin (10-2): The Cyclones are off to a strong start which includes a win over Power 25 ranked, and conference rival, No. 14 Glenwood. There’s a lot of pieces on their squad to like, including SS Carson Butler (2026), the Week 1 Prep Baseball Illinois Player of the Week 2B Austin Rutter (2027) and OF Ty Springer (2026). RHP Andy Antonacci (2025; Heartland CC) aces their staff on the mound, featuring a low-90s fastball that we’ve seen up to 93 mph, with a quality breaking ball to pair. RHP Will Pennell (2026) is another arm that has shown well for our staff and will continue to find some quality innings.
St Anthony (7-1): The defending 2A State Champions are off to an impressive start to their 2025 campaign, scoring 62 runs thus far. Offensively, UTL/RHP Brady Hatton (2025) leads the charge as he’s currently hitting .522 with three home runs, one triple, five doubles, nine RBI and 13 runs scored, all of which lead the team except for his one triple which is tied as a team-best with three others. Hatton has also punched out 17 in 15 innings of work. RHP/INF Brock Fearday (2025; Southwestern Illinois JC) is a name that does it on both sides of the ball - currently 1-0 on the mound with 21 strikeouts, five walks and two runs allowed in 16 innings pitched. He’s also hitting .500 in 24 at-bats with a home run, triple, two doubles, five RBI and nine runs scored. 1B Aiden Lauritzen (2026) and INF Alex Mayer are hitting .300 and .310, respectively, with Laureitzen picking up eight RBI and five runs scored and Mayer collecting seven RBI and four runs scored.
St. Joseph Ogden (9-2): The Spartans are one of the 2A teams that our staff consistently talks about as consistently one of the best in the entire state. Coach Josh Haley has a 352-84 record in 11 years with the team, including two runner-up finishes at state, 10 regional titles, and five sectional titles. In those 11 seasons, he’s only lost 10 or more games twice. RHP Nolan Earley (2025; Southwestern Illinois JC) is the ace of their staff, recently showing a mid-to-upper-80s fastball that was up to 89 mph. RHP Trevor Ames (2026) is a mid-80s arm that showed well for our staff at the Kickoff Classic, alongside Earley. Offensively, OF Logan Rosenthal (2026), 3B Jared Altenbaumer (2025), and C Will Haley (2026) are a trio of names we’ve seen show well in the past.
Teutopolis (10-1): The Wooden Shoes are predominantly a 2A team to watch out for in the state, and they’re coming off a 23-win season. RHP Austin Borries (2026; Lindenwood) is the ace of their pitching staff, and we’ve seen his fastball up to 86 mph in recent looks this spring. RHP Gavin Addis (2026) is another arm that we’ve seen in the past work up to 85 mph on the mound. At the plate, 1B Mick Niebrugge (2025) is a force - he’s a strong right-handed bat that we saw all over the barrel in our look at the Kickoff Classic in mid-March.
Tremont (10-3): Has one of the most talented lineups in 2A this season, and they’ve already scored 113 runs while only allowing 29. Pitching will be a strength, as we’ve seen two arms of their work in the upper-80s while touching numbers in the low-90s in RHP/3B Andrew Dawson (2026) and RHP Chase Rhodes (2026). Dawson has already tallied 31 strikeouts in 17 innings of work, while Rhodes has 17 punchouts in 10 innings. RHP/INF Griffin Meeker (2026) is another name to know on their roster, and he’s recorded 21 strikeouts while only walking four in 14.2 innings of work. Offensively, Dawson is hitting .351 with three home runs, 13 RBI and 18 runs scored. Meeker is hitting .349 with two home runs, four doubles, 12 RBI and 14 runs scored. INF Brady Booth (2025; North Central College) is leading the charge, hitting .419 with five extra base hits, 15 RBI and 12 runs scored. C Blaine Williams (2025) is a tooled-up athlete that’s batting .318 with 13 RBI.
Other Teams to Know: Brimfield (6-3-1), Herscher (9-1), Manteno (8-1), Marengo (6-0), Maroa-Forsyth (5-3), Massac County (8-0), North Boone (11-2), Peoria Notre Dame (5-5), Rockridge (5-4), Shelbyville (8-1), Tri-Valley (6-1-1), Warrensburg-Latham (10-1), Wilmington (5-5)
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