By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the top 75 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

Team: Neuqua Valley
Preseason Rank: 25
2013 Record: 30-11
Conference: Upstate Eight
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Robin Renner
Playoff Run: Finished 4th in 4A
2013 Final Rank: 9

Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS
Mike Riesner, SS, 2014 (Bradley)
Josh Piotrowski, OF, 2014
Matt Butler, RHP/OF, 2014 (St. Cloud State)
Alex Wolanski, C, 2014 (Eastern Michigan)
Tyler Tesmond, OF, 2015
Alex Sommers, RHP, 2014 (SIU-Edwardsville)
Alex DiFranco, INF, 2015

X-FACTOR
Mike Riesner. A top-level defender, Riesner anchors an extremely solid and athletic defense.

KEY PLAYERS LOST
Cody Coll, RHP (Western Kentucky)
David Gerber, RHP (Creighton)
Jeff Evak, OF (Purdue)
Jon Vlk, RHP

STAT RAT
Riesner, a Bradley recruit, batted .319 with five doubles, two triples and four homers as a junior last spring.

OUTLOOK
The Wildcats used an extremely deep and talented pitching staff last spring to finish fourth in Class 4A, the school’s third state trophy since 2007. Although coach Robin Renner graduated the core of his pitching staff, Neuqua Valley should be primed for another stellar season. The Wildcats feature plenty of team speed with Riesner and Josh Piotrowski. Five starters in all return. Look for two-way player Matt Butler to emerge on the mound for the Wildcats, along with Andy Sommers. Offensively, Neuqua Valley has a diverse offense, one that can create runs.

BOTTOM LINE
Any time a team graduates all of its wins on the mound, rough times are usually around the corner. That won’t be the case at Neuqua Valley. The Naperville school always has an abundance of talent waiting in the wings. Although the Wildcats may not have enough to bring home another state trophy, they should enjoy another 25-plus win season.

Make sure you follow @PBRillinois on Twitter for complete Illinois high school baseball coverage throughout the season.

Season Countdown

+ Preseason Team Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Player Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2014 Player Rankings

+ June Event Schedule