By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Follow @PBRIllinois

The Illinois high school season kicks off on March 13, the first day for regular season games.

Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and  across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25.

We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team. If you don’t see your team’s season preview make sure your head coach fills out his Preseason Questionnaire.

Team: Marist
Preseason Rank: 23
2016 Record: 24-14
Conference: East Suburban Catholic
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Kevin Sefcik
Playoff Run: Lost in the Sectional Semifinal
2016 Final Rank: Not Ranked
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 3

Top Players

X-FACTOR
RHP Colin Pfotenhauer. Pfotenhauer, a Taylor University recruit, is one of the few seniors on the squad and needs to develop into the ace of the pitching staff if they want to make a run in the postseason. The 6-foot righty has a loose arm and pitches in the mid 80’s. He should also see some time at third base and first base for the RedHawks.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
OF/1B Jason Hodges (2019). Hodges, who plays varsity basketball as a sophomore, is one of the top 2019 prospects in Illinois. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound highly athletic OF/1B, runs a sub 7.0 60 and has explosive bat speed at the plate. Hodges has one of the highest ceilings of any 2019 in Illinois and should start on varsity this season.

Jason Hodges (10.23.16)

KEY PLAYERS LOST
John Carmody, 1B, 2016 (North Central)
Zach Sefcik, OF, 2016 (North Central)
Jack Snyder, RHP/OF, 2016 (Triton JC)
Brian Wood, OF/LHP, 2016
Brandon Hanik, RHP/SS, 2016
Ben Chaffee, RHP, 2016 (Triton JC)

OUTLOOK
The 2017 team may be the most talent third-year coach Kevin Sefcik has had at his disposal despite only having three returning players and three returning pitchers. The success of the season will largely be impacted by the long list of sophomores expected to contribute this season. OF/INF Brian Adams, RHP Kyle Jennings, OF/2B Mike Markett, CIF Justin Janas, SS/OF Jack Brannigan, C/2B Max Malley, OF/1B Jason Hodges and OF/RHP Kendal Ewell all should see time on varsity. Adams is a talented switch-hitter who can handle the bat from both sides of the plate and could slot somewhere in the middle of the order. Ewell, Janas and Hodges have easy juice in their bats and all have the ability to leave the yard at any time. Brannigan and Markett are good athletes who can cause havoc on the bases. 6-foot, 165-pound Brannigan, who is expected to play shortstop this year, recently ran a 6.68 60 at an event. The table setter for the offense should be senior CF Elijah Hynes, a Concordia-Chicago commit. Left-handed hitting senior INF Matt Donohue, a Roosevelt commit, is another veteran presence in the RedHawks lineup. Ewell and Jennings are two 2019’s who could help provide depth on the mound. Colin Pfotenhauer should be the ace of the staff.

BOTTOM LINE
With the number of sophomores expected to contribute, growing pains are inevitable for the RedHawks and they still may be a year away from contending for a state title. With that being said, Coach Sefcik’s clubs always play hard-nosed baseball and have the potential to knock off anybody in the postseason.

preseason countdown

Make sure to follow @pbrillinois on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the season.