IHSA Diamond Notes: Week 3
April 3, 2024
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 3 Player of the Week honor to C Carter VanDever (Triad, 2024) and the Pitcher of the Week honor to LHP Aidan Flinn (Marist, 2025; Illinois). VanDever went 7-for-17 at the plate with four home runs, one double, 10 RBIs and seven runs scored. Flinn through six no-hit innings against Sandburg, striking out 11 and only walking two.
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 3 DIAMOND NOTES
Curt Sosnowski, 3B/RHP, East Peoria, 2024
Uncommitted. Sosnowski had an impressive week going 7-for-14 at the plate with four doubles, five RBIs, one walk and a stolen base. He had his biggest game of the week in their 8-4 win over Galesburg, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. Sosnowski threw 5.1 innings in their 6-1 win against Peoria Richwoods, striking out seven, walking four, allowing four hits and one run while earning the win on the mound.
Jeremy Thompson, RHP, Romeoville, 2026
Uncommitted. Thompson tossed the first no-hitter at Romeoville High School in over 20 years in their win over Argo. He threw six innings and struck out 15, walked two and allowed no runs in their 11-0 win.
Jayden Patel, 3B, Lake Park, 2024
Parkland College commit. Patel was a big producer for the Lancers’ 5-1 week, going 9-for-17 with one home run, one triple, three doubles, seven RBIs, two walks and one stolen base. In their season opener against Marist, Patel went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, and in their 8-1 win over Bend (OR) he homered and doubled. Rounding out his impressive week in their 13-1 win over Shadow Ridge (AZ), Patel went 3-for-4 with a triple, double, three RBIs, three runs scored and a walk.
Nolan Maciejewski, CF, Tinley Park, 2025
Uncommitted. Maciejewski went 9-for-13 at the plate last week with a home run, triple, three doubles, seven RBIs, two walks and four stolen bases. In their 16-11 win over Springville (AL) he went a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles, one RBI, three runs scored and a walk.
Reid Murray, SS/RHP, Alton, 2025
Uncommitted. Impressive week at the plate going 8-for-14 with a triple, three doubles, six RBIs, three walks and four stolen bases. In their 8-0 win over Civic Memorial, Murray went 2-for-2 with a triple, two RBIs, two runs scored and two walks. He had another impressive day in their 14-4 win over Hazelwood West, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored. Murray threw 4.2 innings against DeSoto Central (MS), striking out seven, walking three, allowing three runs and four hits.
Ty Reaka, LHP/OF, Belleville East, 2024
Kaskaskia JC commit. In their 4-1 win over Cary-Grove, Reaka threw 3.1 innings, struck out two, allowed one run and five hits. At the plate, he was 7-for-15 on the week with a double, five RBIs, two walks and stolen base. His best offensive performance came against Springfield where he went 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs
Ryan Jackson, OF, Lyons, 2024
Uncommitted. Jackson had a notable performance in Lyons’ 7-3 win over then No. 4 Brother Rice. He went a perfect 3-for-3 with two home runs, four RBIs, two runs scored and a walk.
Colton Benaitis, C, Lockport, 2026
Uncommitted. Benaitis had an impressive week for the Porters going 4-for-8 with two triples, three RBIs, three stolen bases, three runs scored and two walks. He’s been a difference maker for their offense this year, totaling five triples on the year so far. His most impressive game of the week was against Plainfield East, going 3-for-4 with two triples, three RBIs and one run scored.
Brady Green, INF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2025
Northern Illinois commit. An impressive week for the Wolfpack securing wins over Lockport and De La Salle, and Green was a huge help in that. He went 6-for-9 with a home run, two triples, six RBIS, five runs scored, slashing .727 OBP/2.283 OPS/1.1556 SLG. In their 14-4 win over Lockport, Green went 3-for-4 with a home run, double, four RBIs and three runs scored. He rounded out his week going 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored in their 12-7 win over De La Salle.
John McAuliffe, C, Marist, 2025
Uncommitted. McAuliffe had an impressive week going 7-for-10 with a grand slam, two triples, five RBIs and four runs scored. His most impressive performance of the week came against Fenwick, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a grandslam, triple, five RBIs and two runs scored.
Nick Drtina, 1B, Nazareth Academy, 2024
Louisville commit. Dritna had a big week at the plate for the Roadrunners going 9-for-11 with a home run, three doubles, six RBIs, three runs scored and a walk. He rounded out his week with three perfect days at the plate. In their 13-3 win over Berwyn/Cicero Morton he went a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run, double, two RBIs and one run scored. He had another perfect day at the plate in their 15-0 win over Monmouth United, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored, and in their 12-0 win over Holy Trinity he went 3-for-3 with two RBIs.
Jackson Griffith, 1B/RHP, Arcola, 2026
Arcola is off to a 8-2 start and Griffith has been a big reason why. He hit his third grand slam of the year this past week and he’s tallied 23 RBI so far this season. He is currently hitting .514 entering the week after going 7-for-13 with 2 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R last week. Arcola went 2-1 last week with wins over Georgetown-Ridge Farm (15-3) and Paris (19-2).
NEUQUA VALLEY
The Wildcats went 2-2 on the week with wins over Romeoville (8-5) and Spring Hill (4-1). Below were some of their top performers:
William Zalabak, 1B/RHP, 2024
Uncommitted. Zalabak went 6-for-9 at the plate with one double, two RBIs and a walk. He also threw six innings on the mound in their win over Spring Hill (TN) striking out two, allowing five hits and one run.
Peter Pipikios, LHP/OF, 2024
North Park commit. Threw two innings on the mound in their win over Spring Hill (TN) and struck out two while allowing no runs, hits or walks.
Michael Langan, 3B/RHP, 2025
Uncommitted. Threw five innings on the mound in their game against Briarcrest (TN) and struck out five while walking four, allowing three hits and one run.
NORMAL UNIVERSITY
The Pioneers went 5-0 last week with wins over Rochester (4-1 & 9-5), East Peoria (3-2), Simeon (12-7) and Washington (9-0). Below were some of their top performers:
Charlie Vercruysse, SS, 2024
Notre Dame commit. Vercruysse went 7-for-14 on the week with two home runs, one double and five RBIs. In their 9-5 win over Rochester, he went a perfect 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, four RBIs, three runs scored and a walk. On the season, Vercruysse is 15-for-33 (.455).
Max Heineman, C, 2026
The uncommitted sophomore had a quality week for the Pioneers going 8-for-14 with two doubles, one triple and five RBIs. In their 9-0 win over Washington, Heineman went 3-for-4 with a double and one RBI. On the season he’s hitting 15-for-30 (.500).
Will Paxson, RHP, 2025
Uncommitted. Paxson had an impressive week on the mound and at the plate. In their 9-0 win over Washington, Paxson threw a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts, one walk and one hit allowed. He also went 4-for-8 at the plate with two doubles and an RBI.
SEASON:
Paxson has not given up a run this year and has tallied 17 strikeouts while only walking five. At the plate he’s 8-for-25 (.320).
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