The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 17, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next two weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2025 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2025 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Mascoutah Indians
Head Coach: Don Eddy
Classification: 3A
Conference: Mississippi Valley
2024 Record (Finish):  30-6 (Sectional loss)
Key Players Lost: Trevor Geis (Lincoln Land), Gabe Vojak (McKendree), Wyatt Beer, Grant Reinneck (Lewis & Clark), Camden Mueller

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ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 3
No. of Returning Starting Pitchers: 2
No. of Returning Relief Pitchers: 2
Team Strengths: Pitching and defense

X-FACTOR

There are few arms in the state that can match the upside that RHP Austin Musso (2025; Arizona State) possesses on the mound. The 13th ranked player in Illinois’ 2025 class, Musso enters his senior season coming off of a year in which he amassed a 0.75 ERA in 56 innings pitched. Musso features an advanced three pitch mix, highlighted by his low 90s fastball that has some arm side action. He offers a slider in the low 80s with some sharp and tight 10-4 bite. Rounding out his pitch mix is a low 80s changeup with late arm side fade to the glove side, playing nicely off the fastball. Musso has a lively arm that comes out of a high ¾ slot. Musso has been a varsity starter since he was a freshman, and looks to put a cap on an impressive four year career at Mascoutah.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Last year, RHP Darren Klein (2027) showed why he should be an arm to keep an eye on going forward. As a freshman in 2024, Klein was about as dominant as a freshman can be and pitched to the tune of a 1.16 ERA in 54 innings. Klein and Musso will look to repeat their success from last season and form one of the most effective 1-2 punches in the State. We have already seen Klein this winter at the GBA scout day, where he showcased an impressive three-pitch mix. He filled up the zone with a mid 80s fastball that jumps out of the hang with some sink arm side. The sophomore had a quality feel for the zone with his slider with sharp 10-4 action. He rounds out the arsenal with a high 70s changeup with late fade and depth that looks like it is falling off the table. He shows repeatability with his delivery, with a whippy arm out of a ¾ slot. Expect big things to come from Darren Klein this spring.

TEAM OUTLOOK

Mascoutah possesses an incredibly talented pitching staff, led by a 1-2 punch of previously mentioned Musso and Klein. Many of those arms are bringing back a number of arms from last season that saw them win 30 games in 2024. 

Likely to join them in the rotation is RHP Nolan Lebert (2026). Lebert is smooth and easy on the mound, with a repeatable delivery that almost looks effortless. After finding some innings out of the ‘pen last year, Lebert looks poised to take on a bigger role this season for Mascoutah. He features a low 80s fastball that has been able to touch 84 with some arm side action and a quality feel for the zone. a mid 70s changeup with depth and arm side fade. To round out his arsenal, he offers a pair of breaking balls, a slider and a curveball, that he is able to throw for strikes often.

Mascoutah will get innings from RHP Brian Wuebbels (2025), who saw success on the mound last season and looks to continue that this spring after 25.2 innings at a 3.00 ERA last year. Fellow senior RHP Parker Henry (2025) will also have an opportunity to fill in innings for this Mascoutah staff.

Offensively, the Indians have some big shoes to fill with the departures of some key contributors from last season, but they should have enough talent to have a strong year at the plate.

Likely to see more time on the field when he is not on the mound is INF/RHP Nolan Lebert. The junior has an easy swing and has a quality feel for catching the barrel. Lebert shines on the defensive side, with a good feel for his footwork. His athleticism is on display at all times and is a fluid mover, and he is set to have a large impact on the Indians throughout this spring.

Like Lebert, INF/RHP Darren Klein is also set to find more time on the field when away from the mound. C/INF  Carson Moll will also have a chance to get a chance at varsity innings this year. He has shown an ability to produce hard contact consistently at past events with a quality feel for the barrel. The junior has present strength in his frame that should translate into results this upcoming season.

Two left handed hitting outfielders that could have an impact in 2025 are Nathan Walker (2026)  and David Schulte (2026). Walker has shown some power potential this past winter, which if refined and honed into the season could be a nice addition to this Mascoutah lineup. Walker has a simple left handed swing with a feel for power to the pull side. Schulte possesses a strong feel for the barrel and sweet spot with a projectable frame, and like Walker, hopes to get his first real crack at being a regular in the Indians’ lineup.

1B Josh Amann (2025) will hope to continue his production at the plate after a productive 2024 in which he hit .333 during the season. OF Tom Harrison (2025), INF Cameron Eddy (2025), and Nolan Keilbach (2025) will also look to help fill out the rest of the Indians’ lineup.

BOTTOM LINE & DIRECTOR'S NOTE

While there are some big names that graduated from Mascoutah’s lineup, there is reason to believe that they can make another run in the postseason. The pitching staff is going to be one of the better staffs in Southern Illinois, if not the state. However, all eyes are going to be on the offense to see how they can compete without some of their run producers from last season. If Mascoutah can continue to produce at the plate, and the pitching staff pitches like we know they can, this could be a scary team come June.

"Austin Musso, one of the top performers in the state over the last few years, will once again lead a potent Indians club in his senior season. Outside of Musso, RHP Darren Klein, one of the winters biggest winners in the sophomore class this offseason will look to build off a 2024 30-win season." Drew Locascio

Find more information on the 2025 Mascoutah  program below:

+ Follow them on X: @MHS19Baseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Illinois Preseason Power 25 homepage

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