Each week, IHSA coaches around the state submit to us their nominations for the PBR Illinois Player of the Week and PBR Illinois Pitcher of the Week honors. Yesterday, we awarded the Week 2 Player of the Week honor to Nate Stempowski (Geneva, 2024; McHenry County JC) and the Pitcher of the Week honor to Tyler Zuber (Mt. Zion, 2024; Lake Land CC). Stempowski finished the week at a 7-for-8 clip with a home run, triple, three doubles and seven RBIs. The highlight of his week was last Tuesday, where he hit for the cycle, totaling six RBIs in the game. In Mt. Zion's 10-0 win over Danville, Zuber threw a six inning no-hitter with 16 strikeouts.

There were a number of other impressive performances that were in the mix for the award and deserve recognition. Here’s a look at some of the most notable.

WEEK 2 DIAMOND NOTES

Ryan Kondrad 3B / SS / Lake Zurich , IL / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 148 / POS: 9 Parkland College commit. In two games last week, the Bears went 1-1 with a win over Grayslake North (14-13). Kondrad had an impressive week going 4-for-6 with three home runs, a double, seven RBIs, three runs scored, two walks and a stolen base. He had his most impressive game in their win over Grayslake North, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, five RBIs, two runs scored and a walk.

Ryan Duncheon Jr. C / RHP / East Peoria Community, IL / 2026 Uncommitted. East Peoria 4-0 on the week with two wins over Farmington (15-1; 13-2), Normal West (13-10) and Bloomington Central Catholic (15-5). At the plate, Duncheon went 7-for-12 (.583) with a home run, three doubles, nine RBIs and three runs scored. He also threw six innings on the mound, struck out eight, walked one and allowed two runs. In their first win over Farmington he went 2-for-2 with a home run, double, four RBIs, one run scored and two walks. He also threw two innings on the mound and struck out four. In their second win over Farmington, Duncheon went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored.

Austin Rathgeb OF / RHP / Alton, IL / 2024 Uncommitted. Rathgeb had an impressive week going 6-for-10 (.600) with two home runs, a double, four RBIs, four runs scored, two walks and one stolen base. In Alton’s 11-9 win over Jerseyville, he went 2-for-4 with a home run, one RBI and one run scored. He also earned the save on the mound, striking out two and walking one in an inning of work.

Luke Blackwell RHP / 3B / Valmeyer, IL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 44 / POS: 11 Uncommitted. Blackwell had an impressive week going 7-for-12 (.583) at the plate with a home run, three triples, a double and 12 RBIs. He started on the mound against Okawville, and struck out nine in four innings of work while allowing two hits.

Tim Witchger C / Notre Dame College Prep, IL / 2024 Witchger has helped lead the Dons to a 5-0 start to the spring. In those five games he is .625 with 6 RBI's.  He has also thrown out 5-10 base runners as a catcher.

SPRINGFIELD LUTHERAN

The Crusaders went 2-2 last week with wins over Illini Central (15-5) and Springfield Lanphier (6-3). Below were some of their top performers from the week:

Caleb Cox, RHP, 2026
Uncommitted. In their win over Lanphier, Cox threw five shutout innings, struck out 12 and allowed two hits, ultimately earning the win on the mound.

Max Yenchko, INF, 2026
Uncommitted. Yenchko had an impressive week going 7-for-13 (.538) with two doubles, two RBIs, three runs scored, a walk and five stolen bases. He had an impressive game in their win over Illini Central, going 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two stolen bases. He went 2-for-3 with a double, one run scored and one walk in their win over Lanphier.

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