Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 13 St. Laurence

It was well documented the kind of relationship the 2017 class had together. Angel Sandoval, Joe Vascik, Tommy Farrell, and Jimmy Burnette formed a special bond and camaraderie that made their 2017 run to state that much more special. Coach Lotus is attempting to breed a similar culture within this 2020 class by calling upon so many sophomores to spend their time playing varsity ball this spring.

Sophomores LHP/OF Chris Seropian, INF Luke Hincks, INF/RHP Alex Gasbarro, C/RHP Matt Zahora, and LHP/OF Cole Anderson are all expected to see considerable playing time in various roles on the varsity team with the hope that, once it’s their turn to serve as senior leaders, they’ll be able to recreate the same kind of magical run the Vikings had a season ago. In the meantime, this group will have to carve out roles for themselves this campaign with the hopes of helping facilitate another trip to state.

In 2017, the Vikings vanquished New Trier at state in the third-place game to match their best ever season in their program’s history. Coming home with hardware held a little extra sentimentality to a St. Laurence team comprised of a tight-knit group of since-graduated seniors, including one of their top arms and one of the state’s best lefties, Burnette, who’s gone on to play Division-I ball in Champaign.

Coach Pete Lotus is aware of the challenge he has in store for the 2018 campaign. The Vikings will appoint a starting rotation of new faces this spring. Seniors Zach Verta, Justin Rios, Gage Olszak, Nick Heiden, Nate Kolasa, and junior Ryan McGrath will all be tasked with filling out this pitching staff in some form, in addition to a compelling set of sophomores that should eat plenty of innings, too. Though, the likes of Verta, Rios, and Olszak are more well-known for their bats than arms on the mound. Specifically, Verta and Rios, who were named to the All-Chicago Catholic League team as outfielders for their contributions to last season’s 36-win team.

Two-time all-state catcher Matt McCormick, still just a junior, is going to be the one who captains this staff from behind the plate. The West Virginia commit has hit in the three-hole since his freshman year and has been a PBR All-State selection the past two years. The highly-advanced left-handed hitter is arguably the top hitter in the 2019 Illinois class. He has good awareness of the strike zone, hits for a high average and for power as well. He continues to improve behind the plate as well and once again will be asked to handle this rotation.

So, a lineup headlined by McCormick, Verta, Rios, and Olszak is potent enough to carry an offense on its own. It’s a tough conference, though, and with so many new faces in new places, including a substantial group of underclassmen expected to get playing time, you wonder just how feasible it is to expect another postseason run like the Vikings put together a season ago.