IHSA Diamond Notes: Week 7
May 7, 2025
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 7 Player of the Week honor to OF/RHP Gavin O’Neil (Lake Park, 2025; Harper JC) and the Pitcher of the Week honor to LHP Lucas Grant (Joliet Catholic, 2025; Purdue). O’Neil is coming off the week of his career - going 10-for-13 with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, nine RBIs and six runs scored - also hitting for the cycle and earning the win on the mound in the same game. Grant took the mound against the Roadrunners on Monday and twirled six shutout innings, only allowing two hits along the way with 15 strikeouts against no walks - landing 62 of his 85 pitches for a strike.
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.
WEEK 7 DIAMOND NOTES
+ Zach Pomatto, C (Joliet Catholic, 2025; Northern Kentucky):
The Northern Kentucky commit had an impressive week out of the two hole for the Hilltoppers finishing the week with 12 hits in 16 at-bats along with five doubles, a triple, home run, 15 RBIs, 12 walks, and was 3-for-5 on caught stealing from behind the plate.
+ Max Heineman, C/1B (Normal Community, 2026; Illinois-Chicago):
The former Future Gamer and UIC commit continues to hit as he finished last week 13-for-17 with a walk, two doubles, a triple, six RBIs, seven runs, and two stolen bases helping the Ironmen to a 4-0 week.
+ Ben Jarnecke, LF (Fenwick, 2025):
Uncommitted, in a five game stretch last week, Jarnecke had a quality showing with 16 hits in 24 ABs, six walks, three doubles, ten RBIs, and six runs. Fenwck would go 3-2 in these games.
+ Peter Jurcenko, RHP (Sandburg , 2026):
Uncommitted, the right-hander tossed a dominating complete game shutout against Andrew. In seven innings of work, Jurcenko allowed just three hits, two walks, and struck out six, helping Sandburg to a 4-0 win.
+ Omar Avalos, OF (Father McGivney, 2027):
Uncommitted, Avalos had a key bases loaded, two out, three run double against Highland on Friday. Defensively, he had seven putouts, four assists, including starting a game-ending relay against Parkway South that cut down a potential triple from the batter. Avalos finished the week 7-for 12 with four walks, three doubles, eight RBIs, seven runs, and seven stolen bases.
+ Drew Church, SS/ RHP (Montini Catholic, 2025; Eastern Illinois):
Eastern commit, Church had a nice week at the plate and on the mound. The SS hit a homer to end the game against De La Salle in a 13-3 win and also made his first career start on the mound. Church finished the week 10-for-18 with three triples, two homers, 12 RBIs, eight runs, and three stolen bases. On the mound, tossed 3.2 innings, allowing just one hit, walking one, and striking out four.
+ Grady Davis, INF/RHP (Belleville East, 2025):
Uncommitted, Davis showed well in Belleville East’s two games last week. At the plate, the infielder was 3-for-9 with a walk, double, four RBIs, four runs, and four stolen bases. Also, made a start on the mound against O’Fallon, tossing 5.2 innings allowing no runs, two hits, no walks, and struck out three.
+ Braydon McKendrick, LHP (Brother Rice, 2026):
Uncommitted, one of the top southpaws in the IL 2026 class impressed in his start against St. Rita, throughout his five innings of work, McKendrick allowed no runs, one hit, one walk, and struck out nine, recording the win.
+ Brandon Shannon, Pitcher (McHenry, 2025; Louisville):
The Super 60 alum and Louisville commit continues to dominate, tossing a no-hitter against Burlington Central. Shannon was dominant for seven innings, allowing no runs, no hits, two walks, and struck out 12.
+ Conor Essenburg, P/OF (Lincoln-Way West, 2025; Kentucky):
The Kentucky commit hit a leadoff HR vs. Bradley-Bourbonnais and also started on the mound. The left-hander threw four innings allowing no runs, three hits, no walks, and nine strikeouts. Had eight hits on the week with six walks, four doubles, a homer, seven RBIs, eight runs, and a stolen bases.
ALLEMAN
The Pioneers finished last week 3-1, defeating Sterling (10-16) twice and Mercer County (10-15), losing to Limestone (15-12). Below were some of their top performers.
+ Gavin Awbrey, SS/RHP (Alleman, 2025; Southeastern CC):
The Southeastern commit was a tough out at the plate with seven hits in 11 at-bats, recording three walks, three doubles, five RBIs, five runs, and three stolen bases.
+ Will Bowers, C/UTIL (Alleman, 2026):
Uncommitted, Bowers had a three double game at Mercer County and was hot at the plate throughout the rest of the week. Bowers had seven hits in 12 ABs, three walks, four doubles, five RBIs, five runs, and three stolen bases.
+ Adam VanMeighem, CF/LHP (Alleman, 2026):
Uncommitted, the southpaw tossed a complete game win against Sterling. In seven innings, VanMeighem allowed one run, eight hits, two walks, and struck out four. At the plate, was 4-for-10 with two walks, two RBIs, six runs, and four stolen bases.
+ Jackson Smith, OF/3B (Alleman, 2028):
Uncommitted, Smith hit a go-ahead two RBI single in the top of the 7th against Sterling. Finished a quality week going 4-for-10 with three walks, four RBIs, four runs, and three stolen bases.
LAKES COMMUNITY
The Eagles finished the week 2-1, defeating Jacobs (10-13) and Lake Forest (11-13), losing to St. Patrick (14-9). Below were some of their top performers.
+ Owen Klosinski, OF (Lakes Community, 2025; Wisconsin-Stevens Point):
The Stevens Point recruit had a nice week at the plate with eight hits in 12 at-bats with a double, two triples, four RBIs, and five runs.
+ Brett Beerbower, RHP (Lakes Community, 2026):
Uncommitted, Beerbower tossed a complete game shutout against Lake Forest. The right-hander dominated in his seven innings of work allowing no runs, five hits, a walk, and seven strikeouts.
NEUQUA VALLEY
The Wildcats finished last week 2-2, losing two to Waubonsie Valley (13-10), beating Waubonsie Valley once and Crete-Monee (13-10). Below were some of their top performers.
+ Kiet Truong, MIF/RHP (Neuqua Valley, 2025):
Uncommitted, Kiet took part in a combined no-hitter against Crete Monee on Saturday. He threw four innings, striking out 11 of 12 hitters while walking three. He was also 2-for-3 with an RBI, run scored, and stolen base.
+ Mike Langan, MIF/RHP (Neuqua Valley, 2025):
Uncommitted, Langan threw against Waubonsie Valley, allowing only four hits, one earned run, striking out six, and walking three. Hit well throughout the week with five hits in 10 ABs, a walk, double, RBI, run, and stolen base.
+ Andy Barkley, OF/LHP (Neuqua Valley, 2026):
Uncommitted, Barkley also had a quality week with the bat finishing 5-for-12 with a double, four RBIs, run, and stolen base.
+ Jorden Castillo, OF/RHP (Neuqua Valley, 2025):
Uncommitted, Castillo was 4-for-10 with a walk, three doubles, two RBIs, and three runs.
+ Joe Barkley, OF (Neuqua Valley, 2025; Lake Land JC):
The Lakers recruit went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a homer, and three RBI in 10-4 win vs. Waubonsie Valley. Finished the week 4-for-13 with three doubles, a home run, five RBIs, and three runs.
BATAVIA
The Bulldogs finished the week 2-2 splitting with Wheaton North (10-12-1) and Geneva (18-7). Below were some of their top performers.
+ Liam Darre, 1B/RHP (Batavia, 2026):
Uncommitted, Darre hit two Home Runs (four RBI's), both in the 6th inning, vs. Wheaton North to help the Bulldogs comeback victory. The Bulldogs were down 8-0 going into the top of the 6th, but ended up scoring 11 runs in the 6th inning and eventually went on to take the series finale 11-8. Darre had seven hits on the week with a double, three home runs, and eight RBIs.
+ Justin Enger, LHP (Batavia, 2025):
Uncommitted, Enger was dominant last week allowing just one earned run in 14 innings of work. The southpaw threw two complete games. First, started against Wheaton North going seven innings with no earned runs, then throwing against Geneva tossing seven innings allowing just one run on seven hits, two walks, and three strikeouts.
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