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Senior Future Games: Team Heartland Game 2 & 3 Recaps

July 23, 2026
By: Tyler Defibaugh
Manager, Content & Operations/Area Scout

Team Heartland wrapped up gameplay in the 2026 Senior Future Games on Wednesday, losing to Team South Plains 6-5 in the morning, and then defeating Team Great Lakes 8-4 in the afternoon.

Game Two

In the morning, 1B/RHP Derrik Beckstrand (Elkhorn Area, 2027; WI) continued to rake, going 2-for-2 with a double and a homer in game one of the day. He also got the ball to start for Team Heartland in the same game and topped out at 87.8 mph with his fastball.

INF Julio Ayala (Montini Catholic, 2027; IL) is another left-handed hitter that continued to show high bat-to-ball skills, going 2-for-3. Ayala also continues to look the part of a left-side of the infield defender that could stick at the next level.

C/INF Lucas Beaty (Normal Community, 2027; IL) was on the barrel throughout game two, collecting two hits including a single at 93.8 mph off the bat.

C/OF Rocco Triolo (Lincoln-Way East, 2027; IL) is another Team Heartland bat that continues to look the part all-around, grabbing another barrel (95.3 mph EV) in the morning matchup.

OF Alex Michna (New Berlin Eisenhower, 2027; WI) swung it well from the left side on the last day of gameplay, swatting a triple in game two. Michna also showed natural and comfortable actions defensively throughout the event.

The arms were strong again for Team Heartland in game two. RHP Mason Rychetsky (Kennedy, 2027; IL), RHP Keegan Schwarting (Joliet West, 2027; IL), and LHP Grayson Waters (Oak Park-River Forest, 2027; IL) each had quality showings on the bump.

Rychetsky is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound athletic mover on the mound, who flashed a three-pitch mix in his outing. His fastball worked 86-89 mph with carry through the zone. He flashed the ability to spin his 75-77 mph slider with over 2300 rpm, and turned over a changeup at 78-79 mph with fading actions.

Schwarting had strong feel for his breaking ball throughout his outing and committed to Kentucky afterwards to make him the first commitment for Team Heartland. A loose mover at a wiry 6-foot-5, 190-pounds, he showed above-average spin with his fastball and both breaking balls. The fastball sat 87-88 mph with over 2300 rpm, while his slider spun at over 2600 rpm at 74-76 mph, and his curveball sat 77-78 mph (2500+ rpm). Schwarting also flashed a changeup at 77-78 mph.

Waters had perhaps the best outing on the day to close out the final two frames. A long and loose-levered southpaw at 6-foot-5, 200-pounds, Waters had control of all of his offerings. His fastball worked 85-87 mph with sinking action, and his slider worked in the mid-70’s (2400+ rpm), while also tossing in his curveball at 75-77 mph, and completing his arsenal with a splitter at 74 mph with -12.6” of IVB.

GAME THREE

In the final game, C Ethan Miller (Slinger, 2027; WI) and OF Alex Michna (New Berlin Eisenhower, 2027; WI) led the way offensively for the group.

Miller, who also threw out two would-be base stealers, was on the barrel multiple times, collecting two hits including a double that registered at 95.7 mph off the bat.

Michna picked up right where he left off from in Game Two, grabbing two more hits including tying the hardest hit ball for the game, a 97.9 mph triple.

C/OF Rocco Triolo (Lincoln-Way East, 2027; IL) continued to be on the barrel in this game, racking up two more hits including tying the hardest hit ball of the game, a 97.9 mph single.

A pair of Brother Rice teammates were on the barrel in CIF/OF Gavin Stanislawski and Anthony Cartolano.

Stanislawski notched a single at 95.9 mph off the bat, while registering a lineout at 106 mph in the game before.

Cartolano also registered a hard-hit single (93.4 mph) and was aggressive on the basepaths throughout the event.

C/INF Lucas Beaty (Normal Community, 2027; IL) continued to produce at the plate in the final game, collecting a double at 95.1 mph.

INF Jackson Roberts (Barrington, 2027; IL) showed well throughout the event defensively, and also tallied a single in the final game, showcasing easy foot speed on the basepaths.

The arms were strong across the board for Team heartland in the final matchup.

RHP Trevor McClure (Mount Vernon, 2027; IL) got the ball to start and was in the zone with all of his pitches. His fastball sat 84-86 mph (T87.7), and showed feel for a changeup at 80-81 mph, while rounding out his mix with a 73-77 mph breaking ball with above-average spin (2600+ rpm).

RHP Hunter Buchan (Muskego, 2027; WI) was first out of the ‘pen for Team Heartland and showed dynamic secondary offerings. His slider worked firm through the zone, spinning at an elite clip (2900+ rpm), and working in a changeup at 80-81 mph, and running his fastball up to 91.5 mph.

RHP Easton DeBernardi (Marquette, 2027; IL) was next in relief, and showed a dynamic the ability to spin both of his offerings. His fastball sat 88-92 mph (2600+ rpm), while he tossed in a high-spin slider (2900+ rpm) at 74-76 mph.

RHP Maddux Hermus (Kimberly, 2027; WI) closed things out for Team Heartland and was efficient. He worked up to 89 mph with his fastball while also throwing two breaking balls and a changeup for strikes to go as his secondaries.

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