Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 3 O'Fallon

O’Fallon’s strength is obvious: They’re practically returning they’re entire lineup and pitching staff from their 2017 season, one where they finished with a 32-6 record. Not many schools in the state, let alone the Southwestern Conference, can boast that their staff is anchored by two stud arms.

Senior RHPs Hayden Juenger and Brayden Arnold are both premium arms that would aces on most any high school team. Juenger, ranked No. 11 in the Illinois’ 2018 class, sits comfortably in the upper-80’s with reports flowing in this winter that it has begun to climb into the low-90’s. Besides the strong arm, what makes Juenger so special is his athleticism and ability to pound the zone with all of his pitches. He’ll help bolster a strong pitching staff in the Missouri State program next year. But before then, he’ll help his metro-east high school redeem themselves from last year’s sectional loss. As for Arnold, he’s going to return to his spot as the No. 2 arm in the rotation this season but he’s also going to contribute in the middle of the lineup, too. Even though he’s probably more intriguing on the mound, Arnold hit .333 last season for the Panthers and added three homers from the four-hole while playing a valuable corner outfield spot.

Hayden Juenger (5.16.17)

Rounding out the rotation is fellow senior Logan Boente who, statistically, put together as strong line as anyone on his staff a season ago. Boente pitched in 14 games last year, went 8-1, and recorded a 0.91 ERA. But, as if their terrorizing three-man rotation wasn’t enough, senior Jaysn Miller will return as the fireman reliever this season, putting out the few fires this staff will start.

Defensively this team is as sturdy as any in the state. Up the middle, junior shortstop Josh Gibson and second baseman Nathan Martin are vacuums as defenders and make their pitching staff that much more cool-headed. Gibson, namely, spent his entire sophomore season as the team’s leadoff man where he hit .371 and led the team in hits and runs; he’s another Missouri State commit and is currently ranked No. 16 in the 2019 Illinois class. Albritton should hold down first base and it seems like Jared Dalonzo likely will solidify the infield at third base. Dalonzo saw some time on varsity as a sophomore but had to miss the 2017 season due to injury.

Forming the remainder of the lineup are three senior outfielders; the versatile Quinn Lowery, four-year letter winner Caleb Shelton, and the speedy Nick Boone. On paper, this team seems as rock solid as any in the state and has quality arms to ride throughout the playoffs.