IHSA Diamond Notes: Week 5
April 22, 2026
Each week, IHSA coaches around the state submit to us their nominations for the Prep Baseball Illinois Player of the Week and Prep Baseball Illinois Pitcher of the Week honors. Yesterday, we awarded the Week 5 Player of the Week honor to Tate Sauer (Champaign Centennial, 2027) and the Pitcher of the Week honor to LHP Will Bemrich (Mundelein, 2026; Parkland JC). Sauer went 8-for-11 at the plate with every hit going for extra bases including four home runs, a triple, three doubles, 15 RBIs, seven runs scored, three walks, a sac fly and four stolen bases.. Bemrich fired a complete-game no-hitter scattering one earned run, three walks and seven strikeouts in a 10-1 win.
There were a number of other impressive performances that were in the mix for the award and deserve recognition. Here’s a look at some of the most notable.
+ Bobby Biggs, RHP (Willowbrook, 2026):
Wartburg College commit. Biggs threw a seven-inning complete game against Hinsdale South, allowing no runs and four hits. He struck out 10 batters and did not issue a walk, helping the Warriors sweep their opponent.
+ Gaige Brown , CF (Herscher, 2027):
Brown went 14-for-20 at the plate from the leadoff spot, recording three doubles and a triple. He also earned a win on the mound, pitching four innings in a victory over Prairie Central.
+ Quincy Fulton, INF (Newton, 2028):
Fulton went 9-for-15 at the plate with three home runs and three doubles. He totaled seven RBIs and nine runs scored, highlighted by two solo home runs against conference rival Mt. Carmel.
+ Logan Hickman, SS/RHP (Alton (Sr.), 2026):
John A. Logan JC commit. Hickman went 5-for-9 with four doubles and five RBIs. On the mound, he made two appearances totaling three innings, allowing no runs and striking out five batters.
+ Bryson Houchens, 1B (St. Joseph Ogden,, 2026):
Morton JC commit. Houchens had a powerful week, hitting four home runs and recording 16 RBIs. He finished the week 6-for-17 with eight runs scored and three stolen bases.
+ Bradley Jones, INF (Mahomet-Seymour, 2028)
Jones batted 8-for-13 (.615) with two home runs and a double. He recorded 13 RBIs, eight runs scored, four walks, and three stolen bases.
+ Collin Lawlor, LHP/1B (Marist, 2028):
Lawlor went 3-for-9 at the plate with a triple, a double, and six RBIs. On the mound, he threw eight total innings across two appearances, allowing no runs and earning one win and one save.
+ Noah Nigro, 1B (Lisle, 2028):
Nigro finished the week 5-for-8 with three home runs and nine RBIs. He also drew three walks and scored six runs.
+ Maxwell Nowak, RHP (Mt. Vernon, 2028):
Nowak threw a five-inning perfect game against Carbondale. He struck out five batters and allowed no runs, hits, or walks.
+ Nate Robbins, 3B (Lake Forest, 2027):
Robbins hit 6-for-13 with two home runs, both of which were grand slams. He totaled 10 RBIs and five runs scored, including a go-ahead grand slam against Cary-Grove.
+ Kaden Wasniewski, P/DH/3B (McHenry, 2027):
Louisiana State commit. Wasniewski hit 8-for-13 with three home runs, three doubles, and 11 RBIs. On the mound, he pitched a six-inning start against Crystal Lake South, allowing no runs and striking out five.
+ Parker Zasada, C (Reavis, 2026):
South Suburban CC commit. Zasada went 7-for-13 with two home runs, a triple, and eight RBIs. He added six runs scored and seven stolen bases, including a lead-taking home run against Evergreen Park.
Lockport
+ Austin Winge, RHP (Lockport, 2027):
Winge was dominant in a seven-inning complete game win against Sandburg, allowing no earned runs and only one hit. He struck out five batters and issued three walks, coming just short of a no-hitter due to an infield single.
+ Kaden O'Leary, INF (Lockport, 2027):
O'Leary continued to lead at the top of the lineup, batting .364 with a 1.318 OPS. He recorded one home run, two doubles, three RBIs, and four runs scored.
+ Drew Satunas, C (Lockport, 2026):
Grand Valley State commit. Satunas went 5-for-11 with a double and three RBIs. He continues to hit in the middle of the lineup and got on base over 50% of the time during the week.
+ Jack Schiek RHP (Lockport, 2026):
Purdue-Northwest commit. Schiek hit .500 on the week. He added a double, two RBIs, and three runs scored to his totals.
+ Emmett O'Keefe, RHP (Lockport, 2027; Uncommitted) & Martin Kinnane, RHP (Lockport, 2026; Purdue-Northwest):
O'Keefe and Kinnane combined for a four-inning shortened perfect game against Alleman. Together they struck out four batters and allowed zero baserunners.
Neuqua Valley
+ Josh Repmann, RHP/1B (Neuqua Valley, 2027):
Repmann pitched five innings against Naperville Central, allowing two runs and three hits. He struck out 11 batters, including seven of the first nine hitters he faced, and carried a perfect game into the 4th inning.
+ Zac Chiz, C (Neuqua Valley, 2027):
Chiz went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs before suffering an injury. He provided solid defense behind the plate and recorded an RBI double in his final at-bat.
+ Emmitt Briner, RF/RHP (Neuqua Valley, 2027):
Briner hit 3-for-6 with a home run and three RBIs. He recorded his first varsity home run, which served as the game-winner against Naperville Central.
Normal Community
+ Gavin Michaels, SS (Normal Community High School, 2026):
Cincinnati commit. Michaels went 9-for-16 with a home run, a triple, and 11 RBIs. He also scored 13 runs and recorded seven stolen bases.
+ Drew Stevens, C/1B (Normal Community High School, 2026):
Valparaiso commit. Stevens batted 8-for-14 with three doubles and eight RBIs. He scored five runs and was instrumental in comeback wins against Morton and Bradley-Bourbonnais
St. Charles East
+ James Feigleson, SS (St. Charles East, 2026):
Illinois-Chicago commit. Feigleson hit 8-for-13 with a home run and four doubles. He finished the week with six RBIs, six runs scored, and two stolen bases.
+ Gavin Fuscone, OF (St. Charles East, 2026):
Fuscone also hit 8-for-13 with a home run and three doubles. He mirrored his teammate's production with six RBIs, six runs scored, and two stolen bases.
St. Rita
+ Sullivan Kazee, RHP (St. Rita, 2026):
Southeastern CC commit. Kazee threw a seven-inning complete game against De La Salle, allowing no runs and only two hits. He struck out 10 batters and issued three walks in the victory.
+ Will Rewers, RHP (St. Rita, 2026):
Saint Ambrose commit. Rewers pitched six innings against Marmion, allowing no runs and two hits. He struck out six batters and allowed two walks in his appearance.
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