By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

Team: Batavia
Preseason Rank: 34
2014 Record: 32-4-1
Conference: Upstate Eight River
IHSA Class: 4A  
Head Coach: Matt Holm
Playoff Run: Lost in Sectional Final to South Elgin
2014 Final Rank: 16 
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Evan Acosta, LHP, 2015
Mitch Boyer, RHP, 2015 (Creighton)
Kyle Niemiec, 3B/OF, 2016
Nick Rogalski, RHP, 2015
Steven Busby, OF, 2015
Matt Musielak, C, 2015
Glenn Albanese, RHP, 2017

X-FACTOR
Junior 3B/OF Kyle Niemiec returns after hitting in the middle of the order as a sophomore and must anchor the offense, which loses plenty of firepower. Niemiec recently impressed at the Preseason All-State Showcase running a 7.2 60 and showcasing above average bat speed (89 mph exit velocity).  

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Sophomore RHP Glenn Albanese, currently the No. 5 player in PBR’s class of 2017 rankings, is a 6-foot-4, 206 pound right-hander with an intimidating physical presence. Albanese played tight end for Batavia’s varsity football team this fall, and recently sat at 89 mph touching 90 in a winter bullpen. He’ll most likely garner national recruiting attention thanks to the ease at which he produces velocity.

KEY PLAYER LOST
Laren Eustace, OF (Indiana)
Micah Coffey, 3B (Minnesota)
Jacob Piechota, LHP (Western Michigan)
Colby Green, RHP

STAT RAT
Laren Eustace hit .419 with 40 runs scored, eight doubles, seven triples, five homers, 28 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and a .735 slugging percentage. Micah Coffey hit .360 with nine doubles, 24 RBI, and also hit .451 with runners in scoring position.

OUTLOOK
Pitching will be the strength for the Bulldogs after losing middle of the order run producers in Eustace and Coffey. Senior LHP Evan Acosta is ranked No. 55 in the state of Illinois, and is the top remaining southpaw still uncommitted. Acosta impressed last spring with his mound presence, feel for three pitches, and 81-84 mph fastball. He’ll lead the pitching staff along with Creighton-bound Mitch Boyer. Acosta is currently weighing offers from several collegiate programs. 

BOTTOM LINE
Head Coach Matt Holm believes the Bulldogs have the pitching to compete in the Upstate Eight-River Conference. Look for the Bulldogs to challenge St. Charles North at the top, along with Geneva and St. Charles East.

Preseason Countdown

+ Top 50 Preseason Countdown Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Rankings

+ June Event Schedule