IHSA Diamond Notes: Week 11
June 5, 2025
The IHSA playoffs started last week with the regional round. There were many standout performances throughout the state in the first round of the playoffs. These players stood out for their teams and helped them move on to the next round. There were a number of impressive performances that deserve recognition. Here’s a look at some of the most notable.
WEEK 11 DIAMOND NOTES
+ Hayden Bernreuter, RF/LHP (Triad, 2025; John A. Logan):
Bernreuter, a John A. Logan JC commit, hit a clutch home run and gave the Knights an impressive start on the mound to earn the win in the Regional Finals. On the week, Bernreuter went 5-for-10 with a home run, three doubles, five RBIs, four runs, a walk, a hit-by-pitch, and a stolen base. On the mound, the left-hander only allowed one hit and finished with 11 strikeouts.
+ Brandon Thomsen, C (Saint Viator, 2026):
Uncommitted, Thomsen went 2-for-2 at the plate, with a double, an RBI, two runs, three walks, and a stolen base in Saturday’s Regional Final. He finished the week 4-for-7 with a double, three RBIs, two runs, five walks, and two stolen bases.
+ Jaden Fauske, C (Nazareth Academy, 2025; Louisiana State):
The LSU commit had a strong offensive week for the Roadrunners to help to the Sectional Semifinals. Fauske finished the week 6-for-9 with a triple, three RBIs, seven runs, four stolen bases, and a walk.
+ Landon Thome, SS (Nazareth Academy, 2026; Tennessee):
Thome went 6-for-9 on the week with three triples, a double, two RBIs, five runs, two walks, and a stolen base. The Tennessee commit capped off a strong offensive week by finishing a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a triple, a double, two RBIs, two runs, and a stolen base in the Regional Finals.
+ Patrick O’Donnell, 3B/RHP (Waterloo, 2025; Southwestern Illinois):
O’Donnell, a Southwestern Illinois commit, provided some thump at the top of the Bulldogs’ lineup against No. 10 Edwardsville, going 4-for-5 including a home run in the third inning as well as two doubles in the contest. O’Donnell picked up six hits in two games this week.
+ Cash Kaczmarek, 1B (Lake Zurich, 2025; Wisconsin-Oshkosh):
Kaczmarek, a Wisconsin-Oshkosh commit, provided a major impact on offense for the Bears this week, finishing 8-for-11 with three doubles, a triple, seven RBIs, five runs, and a walk. He also led the team in RBIs in the Regional championship, finishing 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored on the day.
+ Connor Blue, 1B/RHP (O’Fallon, 2025; Cincinnati):
Blue, a Cincinnati commit, picked up two doubles and three RBI in a win against Mascoutah. Went on to collect another two hits and three RBI in a 14-5 win against Belleville East later in the week.
+ Sean McNair, LHP (Deerfield, 2026)
Uncommitted, McNair was lights out on the mound for Deerfield in the Regional Semifinal. The left-hander tossed five shutout innings against Saint Viator, only allowing three hits with seven strikeouts.
+ John Aquino, SS (Prospect, 2025; Aurora):
The Aurora commit provided an offensive spark for the Knights’ Regional Final win, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 on the day with a triple, a double, a walk, three RBIs, and two runs. Aquino went 7-for-10 on the week with four doubles, a triple, seven RBIs, four runs, and a walk.
+ Cody Freitas, RHP (Bradley-Bourbonnais, 2025; John A. Logan):
Freitas, a John A. Logan commit, gave the Boilermakers an impressive performance on the mound and knocked in the go-ahead run to earn the win over No. 2 Minooka in the Regional Final. Freitas tossed a complete game with only one run allowed on four hits, collecting five strikeouts. At the plate, Freitas finished 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
+ Jacob Newman, C (Lincoln-Way East, 2026):
Uncommitted, Newman led the way for the Lincoln-Way East offense against St. Rita, going 4-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Continued his success against Joliet West, going 2-for-4, picking up another RBI.
+ Santino Dill, LHP/1B (Addison Trail, 2025):
Uncommitted, Dill provided a strong start on the mound for Addison Trail in a 10-0 victory against Proviso East. Dill tossed six strong innings, only allowing two hits and one walk while striking out nine.
+ Brandon Shannon, RHP (McHenry, 2025; Louisville):
Shannon, a Louisville commit, allowed only one unearned run in six and two-thirds innings of work, striking out 11 batters in McHenry’s 2-1 victory against Jacobs.
+ Landon Loomis, C (Triad, 2025; Minnesota State Mankato):
Loomis, a Minnesota State Mankato commit, showed well at the plate in a come from behind win against Rochester. The left-handed hitting catcher had two hits on the day, one of which was a two-run home run in the seventh inning. Loomis went on to collect another two hits while driving in three runs in Triad’s win against Highland, both hits being doubles.
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