Diamond Notes: Week 1

Wolters, a Purdue commit, had a stellar week on both sides of the ball to open up the season. In his first game, Wolters tossed four innings with eight strikeouts and just one hit - while going 3-4 at the plate with a home run, double and two RBIs. In game two, he added two more doubles to finish 2-3 on the day with an RBI and three runs scored - bringing his weekend total to 5-7 with a home run, three doubles, three RBIs and five runs scored.

The Triad sophomore got his season off to a fast start, putting up impressive numbers on both sides of the ball. The right-hander tossed nine total innings with one earned run and eight strikeouts against Naperville Central and Collinsville over the first week. While at the plate, Coon went a combined 6-14 on the week with five doubles to his name.

Here is a report we had on Coon during the Kickoff Classic: 
"6-foot-1, 160-pound, athletically-built, two-way prospect. In an extra-innings battle against Naperville Central, came out of the bullpen for Triad and gave up one earned run in three pressure-packed innings while striking out three. Made a number of big pitches in big spots to keep the Knights in the game. Arm works short and clean from a high ¾ slot. Compact, repeatable delivery and above-average mound presence for his age. Fastball sat around 83 mph early in his outing. Early on he showed advanced feel for his slider which worked out of the same window as his fastball. Slider had tight, short action with late bite off a 10/4 plane at 73-75 mph with 2230 rpm. Has a chance to be a swing-and-miss offering down the road. Also, showed well at the plate, delivering a game-tying two-run double in extra innings. Finished the game 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs, a walk and two runs scored."

The Kaskaskia commit was firing on all cylinders in his team's first week of play, putting up respectable numbers on both sides of the ball. Over four games, Brazelton went a combined 9-for-14 at the plate with a .722 OBP, two doubles, triple, five RBIs, 11 runs scored, three stolen bases and four walks - all while not striking out a single time. He also saw two innings of relief work against Father McGivney, where he racked up four strikeouts.

Here is a report we had on Coon during the Kickoff Classic: 
Kaskaskia commit. 5-foot-10, 160-pound, left/left prospect hit out of the leadoff spot throughout the week. Had one of the more impressive offensive performances at the Kickoff Classic. Went 7-for-9 with two doubles, a triple and six runs scored in two games on Thursday. Followed up with a 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Athletic, confident look in the box. Minimal wasted movement, stays short and quick to the ball with above-average bat to ball skills and polished approach. Uses the whole field, was consistently on time and worked gap-to-gap. Fluid actions to all parts of his game. Left a strong impression with his performance at the Kickoff Classic.

The Xavier commit is far and away one of the best players in the 2022 class, and proved so over his first week of play, helping the Rockets to a 3-0 start. Christiansen went 5-for-8 over the course of the week while collecting two home runs, a double, six RBIs and three walks. Both of his home runs came against a talented Marian Catholic club, followed by a bases loaded single to give Richmond-Burton the lead in the seventh inning.

The Illinois-Springfield commit may not have won Player of the Week, but he definitely put together easily the most dominant single inning of the week; collecting two home runs in the same inning against Coal City. Dahlberg finished the week hitting .667 with two home runs and seven RBIs in just six at-bats.

Senior right-hander Danny Mack strung together a couple quality outings to get his season off to a strong start. The Southwestern Illinois JC commit made one start and one relief appearance on the week, collecting a win with seven total innings, just three hits allowed, 10 strikeouts and no runs allowed.