Diamond Notes: Week 7

May 6, 2022
By: Peter Hamot
Area Scout

Each week, IHSA coaches around the state submit to us their nominations for the PBR Illinois Player of the Week honor. On Wednesday, we awarded the Week 7 POTW honor to RHP/3B Owen Murphy (Riverside-Brookfield, 2022; Notre Dame). Murphy is now the first player to win the PBR Illinois Player of the Week award twice in the same season, having won previously in week five. This past week, the Notre Dame commit tossed a perfect game against a tough Joliet Catholic club; going seven innings with 18 strikeouts and just 88 pitches - firing 78% strikes and 14-of-21 first pitch strikes. The right-handed hitter also finished the week 6-for-13 with a home run, triple, double, five RBIs and five runs scored.

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

Kaden Aguirre / Plano, IL / 2024

The sophomore fired a no-hitter on Thursday to help the Reapers take down Ottawa by the score of 8-1 in Interstate 8 Conference play; going seven innings with four strikeouts and two walks. On the season, Aguirre now has a 2-2 record with 27 innings, a 2.33 ERA, 28 strikeouts and a whip of 0.88.

Tyler Auer OF / 3B / Neuqua Valley, IL / 2022

The uncommitted senior turned in an impressive week, going 8-for-19 in a five game stretch with a triple, four RBIs two runs scored and lock-down defense all week - also slashing .400/.526/.926. Auer's most impressive game game in a 19-9 win over Metea Valley where he went 2-for-4 with a triple, three RBIs and a run scored. In addition to his stellar individual play, Auer also helped the Wildcats to an overall record of 5-0 on the week.

Stephen Bradshaw OF / RHP / Neuqua Valley , IL / 2023

The junior right-hander helped shutout defending 4A State Champions Plainfield East on Saturday. In his first varsity start, Bradshaw went three strong innings while striking out two and only allowing two hits.

Alex Camaj OF / Neuqua Valley, IL / 2022

The senior outfielder was a key factor in Neuqua Valley's 5-0 run this past week, going 11-for-19 with a home run, two doubles, eight RBIs and nine runs scored - slashing .579/.842/.1.421. There were a couple games that stood out for Camaj at the plate, the first being in their 19-9 win over Metea Valley, where he went 4-for-5 with a double, four RBIs and three runs scored. The second game that stood out for him was in a 12-0 win over Plainfield East on Saturday, where he went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and three runs scored.

Carlito Collins OF / Notre Dame College Prep, IL / 2023

The uncommitted junior collected nine hits in 15 at-bats over the course of last week, also walking twice and driving in four runs. His best game came against Lane Tech in a 4-3 victory, where he went 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Andrew Crenshaw SS / OF / Lindblom, IL / 2024

The sophomore put together a 5-for-10 week at the plate that included three doubles, three stolen bases and two walks - also tossing 1.1 innings of relief with no earned runs. Crenshaw was a driving force in helping Lindblom to a 2-2 week, including a series sweep of Morgan Park.

Dilen Dabezic RHP / Neaqua Valley, IL / 2024

The sophomore right-hander was clutch out of the 'pen for the Wildcats this past week, picking up two wins in relief in two games. Dabezic threw a combined 5.1 innings while allowing six hits, two earned runs and striking out six to no walks.

Ean DiPasquale RHP / 1B / Belleville East , IL / 2023

The big right-hander went a perfect 2-0 on the mound this week with wins over Gibault and Althoff. He tossed a total of eight innings and allowed just one earned run on four hits, also striking out 10 opposing hitters. His most dominant game came in a 6-2 win over Althoff, where he worked five innings with three hits, one earned run and six strikeouts to one walk.

Palmer Domschke OF / Neuqua Valley, IL / 2022

Making his return to the lineup after a knee procedure, Domschke went 6-for-13 in four games with a home run, triple, double, two RBIs and six runs scored. On top of this stellar line, he also drove in the game winning RBI over Plainfield North to win by the score of 4-3.

Jack Hayden 3B / C / Marian Central Catholic , IL / 2022

Hayden took care of business on both sides of the ball this past week, tossing a no-hitter and striking out 11 in a 12-0 win over Round Lake - also finishing the day with five RBIs, a three-run home run and an RBI single to help his own cause at the plate. On the week, Hayden finished with a total of eight RBIs.

Lucas Hicks / Westmont, IL / 2024

The sophomore has been on an absolute tear this year, and this week was one of his best to date; going 15-for-21 with three home runs, a triple, five doubles, 15 RBIs and 14 runs scored. His most impressive game was against Aurora Christian on Tuesday, where he went a perfect 4-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored. On the season, Hicks is now hitting .536 with 37 hits, three home runs and 29 RBIs.

Matt Knapczyk OF / Neuqua Valley, IL / 2024

The sophomore put together an impressive week for the Wildcats, going 5-for-11 in five games with a double, four RBIs, eight runs scored and two stolen bases - also slashing .455/.545/.1.000. Against Plainfield North, Knapczyk led off the seventh inning with a single and later came around to score the winning run thanks to a single from the aforementioned Domschke.

Jake Kohanzo RHP / OF / Barrington, IL / 2022

The uncommitted senior was an absolute force on both sides of the ball for Barrington this past week; going 7-for-14 at the plate with two home runs, three doubles, eight RBIs, four runs scored, a walk and no strikeouts. On the mound, the strong right-hander fired six innings against Schaumburg in an 11-2 win; striking out eight to go along with no walks, three hits and no earned runs - also going 3-for-4 at the plate with a three-run home run, double, six RBIs, one run scored and a walk.

Colin Lewandowski SS / 2B / Neuqua Valley, IL / 2022

Lewandowski put together an 8-for-17 week at the plate with two doubles, five RBIs, three runs scored and four stolen bases - slashing .550/.588/1.138. His most impressive game came against Plainfield East in a 12-0 victory, where he went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Lewandowski also put together a 2-for-4 day at the plate with a double and two RBIs in a 10-2 win over Metea Valley on Thursday to help solidify his stellar week.

Hank Liss RHP / OF / Evanston , IL / 2023

The uncommitted junior tossed a seven inning complete game shutout against Glenbrook South, striking out 11 to just one walk. In game two against Glenbrook South, Liss slugged a walk-off home run and collected three RBIs in the contest.

Josh McDevitt RHP / Effingham , IL / 2023

The Missouri commit led his team to a 13-4 win over Charleston in conference play this past weekend; tossing six hitless innings with no earned runs and 15 strikeouts.

AJ McEneany 3B / Neuqua Valley , IL / 2023

The junior right-hander was perfect through four innings in his outing against Metea Valley, finishing the day with six innings, five hits, three runs and six strikeouts in the Wildcat's 4-3 win.

Trevor Morris 2B / SS / Neuqua Valley, IL / 2022

Morris hit to a .444 batting average this past week, going 8-for-18 in five games with three doubles, nine RBIs and five runs scored - also slashing .450/.611/1.061. His most dominant game came in a 19-9 win over Metea Valley, where he went 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles, four RBIs and two runs scored.

Londel Overton RHP / 3B / Urban Prep Academy, IL / 2024

The Urban Academy Prep sophomore fired a complete game shutout with six strikeouts - also going 5-for-6 at the plate with three RBIs to cap off his successful week on both sides of the ball.

Peter Pipikios OF / LHP / Neuqua Valley, IL / 2024

The Sophomore left-hander notched the win out of the 'pen in helping the aforementioned Stephen Bradshaw shut out Plainfield East on Saturday. Pipikios went three innings while striking out two and allowing just one lone hit.

Andrew Pyszka SS / C / Putnam County, IL / 2023

Pyszka put together a highly impressive week at the plate, going 10-for-16 with four doubles, a home run, two RBIs, 11 runs scored, eight stolen bases and 18 quality at-bats. His home run came in the bottom of the seventh inning against Princeton to walk them off and notch the win. He also went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored against conference foe Henry in a 14-6 victory. On the season, Pyszka is now hitting .439 with two home runs, a triple, 10 doubles, 11 RBIs, 46 runs scored, 39 stolen bases, 20 walks and an OPS of 1.233.

Owen Rivera SS / 2B / Von Stueben, IL / 2023

Rivera put together a 6-for-12 week at the plate with three home runs, six RBIs, eight runs scored, five walks and five stolen bases. His most dominant game came against Grayslake Central on Saturday, where he went 4-for-5 with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored.

Cristian Ruiz SS / RHP / Oak Lawn, IL / 2023

Ruiz helped Oak Lawn to two wins over Richards this past week. In game one, he went 1-for-4 and collected three RBIs. In game two, he went 1-for-3 while also scoring the game tying run in the seventh and driving in the winning run in the eighth to win by the score of 2-1 in extras. He also was the game two starting pitcher and went 6.2 innings with 11 strikeouts and one earned run, picking up the no-decision.

Lucas Smith OF / 3B / Nazareth, IL / 2023

The Illinois-Chicago commit put together an impressive week at the plate against some quality competition (Joliet Catholic, Downers Grove North and Notre Dame), finishing 7-for-14 with five doubles, a triple, home run, three RBIs and five runs scored. His most impressive game came in a 7-2 win over Downers Grove North, where he went 3-for-4 with three doubles, an RBI and two runs scored.

Tommy Stricklin 3B / OF / Mundelein, IL / 2022

The uncommitted senior went a combined 8-for-14 over the course of this past week, slugging three home runs with a double, 10 RBIs, six runs scored and two walks - also collecting a .625 OBP, 1.911 OPS and a 1.286 slugging percentage.

Karson Stiefer 1B / LHP / Prairie Ridge, IL / 2025

Freshmen Karsen Stiefer beat Jacobs by the score of 3-2 this past week, taking down one of the top senior arms in the state. The southpaw tossed five innings with no earned runs, three hits, five strikeouts and no walks. Uncommitted senior Jack Tobin came in relief of Stiefer and fired two innings to notch the save.

Maxwell Vaisvila LHP / Willowbrook, IL / 2022

The senior southpaw got it done on both sides of the ball this week, starting his week off with a no-hitter against Addison Trail on Monday - going five innings while only walking one and recording 13 of the 15 outs via the strikeout. That same game, he finished the day 1-for-2 at the plate with a grand slam, five RBIs and two walks to help his own cause. He ended up finishing the week 7-for-11 with a grand slam, two doubles, 11 RBIs, three runs scored and two stolen bases. Vaisvila is now a perfect 6-0 on the year with a 1.30 ERA and 61 strikeouts, making him on pace to break the school record of 100 in a single season.

Arnoldo Velazquez Jr. SS / 3B / Lockport, IL / 2022

The recent Moraine Valley commit put together a big week with two games against Homewood Flossmoor and one against Joliet West. Velazquez went 7-for-9 at the plate with a home run, double, six RBIs and two hit-by-pitches. On top of barreling up almost everything that came his way, he also played incredibly reliable defense over the frame as well.

Dominic Voegele RHP / SS / Columbia , IL / 2023

In four games played, Voegele hit his way to a .467 average with two home runs, a double, seven RBIs, seven runs scored and a 1.404 OPS. One of his home runs was a walk-off against Breese Central, helping to seal the win. On the mound, the right-hander fired a complete game with 11 strikeouts and two hits enroute to earning the win.

Josh Wenz SS / OF / Neuqua Valley, IL / 2023

The uncommitted junior put together an impressive week, acting as a key contributor to the Wildcats perfect 5-0 record after going 5-for-12 in four games with a home run, two doubles, five RBIs, four runs scored, three hit-by-pitches and three stolen bases - slashing .588/.833/1.422. Wenz's biggest swing on the week came in a 4-3 victory over Metea Valley, where he lifted a ball over the right-field wall to give Neuqua the lead and ultimately the win.

Ethan Willoughby SS / 3B / Maroa Forsyth, IL / 2022

The Southern Illinois-Edwardsville commit has been a key factor in Maroa Forsyth's success to this point, and this past week was no different; going 9-for-11 with eight RBIs. Forsyth finished this past week with an overall record of 20-0 and made their first appearance in the PBR Power 25. Willoughby is now hitting .438 on the year and .541 in conference play.