IHSA Diamond Notes: Week 8
May 14, 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 8 Player of the Week honor to 3B/RHP Jack Wheeler (Morris, 2025; Illinois) and the Pitcher of the Week honor to RHP Ryan Duncheon Jr. (East Peoria, 2026; Illinois State). Wheeler went 9-for-15 at the dish with three home runs, two doubles, 11 RBIs and four runs scored - not to mention he also had a dominant outing on the mound. Monday’s conference matchup was a big one, and Duncheon proved up to the challenge with a complete game (seven inning) shutout with just three hits allowed, one walk and an eye-opening 16 strikeouts - earning the win while also going 2-for-3 at the plate.
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 8 DIAMOND NOTES
+ Josh Colaizzi, OF/RHP (Bartlett, 2026):
Uncommitted, Colaizzi started in Bartlett’s 2-1 win over Wheaton Academy. In 7.2 innings of work, the right-hander allowed no earned runs, four hits, no walks, and struck out 12, helping Bartlett take the win.
+ Patrick Kennedy RHP (Champaign Central, 2025; Lake Land):
The Lake Land commit was dominant in his start on the mound against Peoria Notre Dame. Kennedy tossed six innings allowing one run on two hits, three walks, and struck out 11, leading Champaign Central to a 8-1 win.
+ Hayden Bernreuter, LHP/RF (Triad, 2025; John A. Logan):
Bernreuter, a John A. Logan commit, had an impressive all around week for triad. At the plate went 6-for-12 with a walk, triple, two RBIs, four runs, and a stolen base. Also, got the start on the mound against Mascoutah, tossing a complete game, seven innings, no runs, one hit, two walks, and struck out 11.
+ Jaden Fauske, C/1B (Nazareth Academy, 2025; LSU):
An LSU commit and one of the top prospects in the country, Fauske continues to stay hot at the plate. Finishing last week with five hits in eight at-bats along with four walks, a double, triple, homer, five RBIs, four runs, and two stolen bases.
+ Logan Faust, LHP (Belleville East, 2025):
Uncommitted, Faust threw a no-hitter against St. Louis University HS on Monday. The left-hander tossed seven innings of no hit ball, allowing no runs, walking three and striking out nine.
+ Jimmy Benson, LHP (St. Laurence, 2027):
Uncommitted, Benson threw a no-hitter against Mt. Carmel on Saturday. In 6.2 innings of work the lefty allowed no hits, no runs, three walks, and four strikeouts. Earlier in the week, Benson pitched 1.1 innings out of the bullpen to earn the win over Providence, allowed no runs and struck out two.
+ Cael Kuster, C/RHP/UTIL (Alleman, 2025 (Black Hawk):
The Black Hawk commit had a clutch RBI double against Rock Island to give Alleman a two run lead in the top of the fifth. Also, hit a solo home run to break the tie against Rock Island. Finished the week 8-for-13 with a walk, five doubles, home run, four RBIs, six runs, and seven stolen bases. Also pitched against Bureau Valley, throwing five innings allowing four hits, one walk, and struck out five.
+ Finn Stovall, 3B (Harlem, 2026):
Uncommitted, Stovall was a tough out all week, finishing 11-for-13 with two walks, three doubles, two triples, ten RBIs, seven runs, and three stolen bases.
+ Anthony Cartolano, CF (Brother Rice , 2027):
Uncommitted, Cartolano made multiple clutch plays in CF that set the tone for the defense last week. Also, had a nice week at the plate, going 5-for-11 with four walks, double, two RBIs, six runs, and four stolen bases.
+ Cody Hogan, RF (Plainfield South, 2025):
Uncommitted, Hogan had two clutch go-ahead knocks throughout last week that ended up being game winning hits. Finished last week with nine hits in 15 at-bats, one walk, three doubles, home run, 14 RBIs, and six runs.
+ Josh Fleming, INF/OF (York, 2025; Grand Valley State):
Fleming hit a clutch two run homer in the bottom of the 6th to lift York to a 9-8 Win against Hinsdale Central. The senior impressed throughout the whole week going 8-for-12 with four walks, three doubles, home run, six RBIs, seven runs, and six stolen bases.
BATAVIA
The Bulldogs finished the week 3-1, defeating Geneva (20-9), and going 2-1 against St. Charles East (12-14). Below were some of their top performers.
+ Hayden Peterson, LHP (Batavia, 2026):
Uncommitted, the southpaw had a quality appearance out of the bullpen against St. Charles East. Peterson threw 5.1 innings, allowing just three hits, bi runs, four walks, and struck out five.
+ Liam Darre, 1B (Batavia, 2026):
Uncommitted, Darre hit a game tying two run homer in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and two strikes against. St. Charles East on Friday. Darre finished the week with eight hits in 16 ABs, with two homers and ten RBIs.
+ Connar Temple, RHP (Batavia, 2025; Northern Illinois):
NIU commit, Temple tossed 6.1 innings of no hit ball on Saturday against St. Charles East, walking three and striking out six. The right-hander made another start earlier in the week against Geneva, tossing a complete game, seven innings, allowing no earned runs, eight hits, no walks, and seven strikeouts.
+ Luke Stevenson, OF (Batavia, 2025):
Uncommitted, Stevenson had a nice week at the plate, finishing the week 7-for-14 with a double and a homer.
LOCKPORT
The Porters finished the week 4-1, defeating Bradley-Bourbonnais (16-12) twice, Joliet Catholic (16-13), and Barrington (18-8-1), losing to No. 9 Lincoln-Way West (20-7). Below were some of their top performers.
+ Logan Nagle, 1B (Lockport, 2025; Lake Land):
The Lake Land commit had a very productive week out of the middle of the Porter lineup. Nagle hit .462 on the week, going 6-for-13 with five RBI's, three runs scored, three HBP, and a stolen base.
+ Adam Kozak, OF (Lockport, 2026):
Uncommitted, Kozak set the tone all week out of the three hole for Lockport, picking up five hits, three RBIs, three runs scored, and five stolen bases.
+ Anthony Farina, LHP (Lockport, 2027):
Uncommitted, Farina continues to throw the ball well on the mound for Lockport. The southpaw made two appearances last week, first going 5.2 IP against Bradley, earning the win. He also held the game in check against Barrington on Saturday. Across both appearances, he collected a line of 6.2 innings pitched, no earned runs, five strikeouts, and three hits.
+ Jack Schiek, RHP (Lockport, 2026):
Uncommitted, Schiek had a strong outing against Barrington. The right-hander got the start, tossed five innings allowing one earned run, five hits, three strikeouts, and earned the win.
+ Matt Fox, RHP (Lockport, 2025; Joliet JC):
The Joliet JC commit started on the mound against Joliet Catholic and tossed a quality 4.1 IP, earning the win. Fox gave up three hits and one earned run, while striking out three.
NEUQUA VALLEY
The Wildcats finished the week 2-2 last week, going 1-2 against DeKalb (19-10-1), and defeating Jones Prep. Below were some of their top performers.
+ Mike Langan, SS/RHP (Neuqua Valley, 2025):
Uncommitted, Langan went 2-for-4 with a double, triple, three RBIs, and two runs in 14-4 win over Jones Prep; was also 2-for-2 with an RBI and run scored in a 10-0 win over DeKalb. Finished the week 4-for-10 with a walk, double, triple, four RBIs, and three runs. Also, pitched five innings against DeKalb, striking out eight,
+ Jorden Castillo, OF/RHP (Neuqua Valley, 2025):
Uncommitted, Castillo put together some nice performances throughout last week for Neuqua Valley. The senior had three hits in eight ABs, with three walks, triple, three RBIs, four runs, and a stolen base.
+ Josh Repmann, 1B/RHP (Neuqua Valley, 2027):
Uncommitted, the sophomore went 2-for-3 and drove in lone run in 4-1 loss to DeKalb; went 1-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored in 14-4 win over Jones Prep; tossed a five inning complete game, allowing no runs, three hits, three walks, and seven strikeouts.
+ Sam Widloe, 3B (Neuqua Valley, 2028):
Uncommitted, the freshman had a hit, two RBIs, and scored twice in a 10-0 win over DeKalb; went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs in 14-4 win over Jones Prep. Finished the week 3-for-8 with three walks, three RBIs, and five runs.
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