IHSA Playoff Performers
May 30, 2024
Now that we’re fully in the middle of the high school playoffs, IHSA coaches from around the state submitted to us some of the top performers on their team’s throughout the playoffs thus far.
Be sure to follow us on X/Twitter @PrepBaseballIL to follow along with our 1A/2A State Finals coverage tomorrow and Saturday. In the meantime, be sure to listen to this week’s IHSA Podcast!
PLAYOFF PERFORMERS
Aidan Nohava, CIF, Brother Rice, 2025
Eastern Michigan commit. Collected big hits and RBIs all week. Finished 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, home run, two RBIs, two runs and a walk.
Chase Powrozek, RHP/OF, Burlington Central, 2025
Powrozek had an impressive Regional week on the mound and at the plate. On the mound, he threw a five inning shutout to get past Belvidere. In the win he allowed one hit, no runs, struck out 14 and walked two. At the plate he went 4-for-5 with a double, triple, home run and three RBIs.
Mac Jones, RHP, Deerfield, 2025
Jones helped lead Deerfield into one of their most impressive post-season runs in school history. Last week he threw a complete game shutout to advanced past Prairie Ridge. One of the crucial moments early in the game was when he snagged a line drive right back at him and threw to third base to complete a double play. The double play helped them escape a runner on second and third with nobody out situation. In his complete game he scattered seven hits, walked two and struck out two.
Ty Cribbett, 2B, Gibson City- Melvin-Sibley, 2024
Millikin University commit. Cribbett had the rare opportunity to deliver the game-winning hit in both games of the Sectional for GCMS and helped lead them to their first ever 1A State Final appearance. In the Sectional Championship game his bases-clearing double broke a 1-1 tie. On the week he went 6-for-8 with two doubles, a triple, seven RBIs and four runs scored.
Shea Glotzbach, RHP, Lemont, 2025
The uncommitted junior was yet another prospect on this list who helped his team on the mound and at the plate. The long-levered, left-handed hitter went 2-for-4 on the week with two HBP's, a double, three RBI's, two runs scored and a stolen base. In the Regional Final he picked up the win going a complete game, seven innings, scattering three hits, one run while striking out 10 and walking two.
Jonah Roper, RHP, Normal Community, 2025
The talented, uncommitted junior has had a strong spring for Normal Community and it continued in the Regional Championship. In the matchup against Rock Island, Roper spun a complete game. In the win he allowed one run, eight hits, struck out nine and did not walk a batter.
Nick Bestrick, RHP, Sandburg, 2024
SWIC commit. Currently ranked No. 85 in the state, Bestrick finished 9-0 on the season which is the first time a pitcher has done that in over 10 years in the program. In his Regional Semi-Final start against Marist Bestrick went 6.2 innings, scattering three hits, one run and stuck out eight. Here is Bestrick's year end stat line: 9-0 record, 1.00 era. 56 IP, 8 ER, 83 K, 20 BB and opponents hit .168 against him.
Jory Crocker, RHP/SS, Willowbrook, 2026
Crocker is a top-10 prospect in the state and has upside to all parts of his game. In the Regional Semi's he did his best work with his arm on the mound. Crocker went a complete game, scattered five hits, struck out 12 and did not walk a batter against West Chicago.
Ethan Eberle, LHP, Normal Community, 2024
Louisville signee. In Community’s Regional Semi-Final win over Moline, Eberle threw a complete game with 12 strikeouts, one walk, two runs (zero earned) and two hits allowed.
Ethan Bagwell, RHP, Collinsville, 2024
Missouri signee. Although the Kahoks lost, Bagwell had a highly dominant game on the mound against Edwardsville. He tossed six innings on the mound, struck out 13, zero walks, one earned run, and only two hits allowed.
Anthony Eberlin, RHP, Edwardsville, 2026
TCU commit. Eberlin had an impressive game on the mound in their 2-0 win over Collinsville. He threw a complete game with 12 strikeouts, zero walks, zero runs, and one hit allowed.
Blake Hoffer, LHP, Glenbrook South, 2026
Uncommitted. Hoffer had an impressive game on the mound in a 6-0 victory over Von Steuben. He threw a complete game with 12 strikeouts, zero hits, zero runs, and five walks.
Ari Fivelson, OF, Hampshire, 2025
Uncommitted. Fivelson was stellar at the plate for Hampshire during their regional. He went 4-for-7 with a home run, one RBI, one walk, and scoring twice.
Payten Young, LHP, Herscher, 2026
Uncommitted. Young had an outstanding performance in a win over Seneca in the Regional Semifinals. Young tossed a complete game with six strikeouts, zero runs, and only allowed two hits.
Jack Wheeler, IF/RHP, Morris, 2025
Illinois commit. Wheeler shined, putting together an impressive week both in the box and on the mound. In a tied game, Wheeler broke it open by unloading the bases on a three-run double. Later, he would added a sacrifice fly to bring his RBI total to four on the day. Wheeler then would take the mound for the final two innings collecting four strikeouts and the save. He would have another stellar performance against Ottawa, ending the day with a double, triple, and two RBIs.
Alton
Reid Murray, RHP/IF, Alton, 2025
Murray had two standout performances with the bat for Alton. In a Regional Semifinal win he went 3-for-4 with a double, five RBI's and two runs scored. His bases-clearing double gave the Redbirds the lead for good over Quincy. In their 4-3 Regional Championship win over Belleville West Murray went 1-for-3 with two runs scored.
Austin Rathgeb, OF/RHP, Alton, 2024
The Southeastern Illinois JC commit helped propel Alton to the Sectional Semi-Final with his bat and his arm. In the Regional Semi he collected an outfield assist in the top of the first inning. He also went 3-for-3 at the plate with a double, four RBI's and a run scored. He finished on the mound with a perfect seventh inning to close out the win. In the Regional Championship he went 1-for-3 with a walk and overcame. He also finished off the 4-3 win on the mound with a bases-loaded strikeout.
Champaign Central
Last week, the Maroons defeated Centennial (3-1) and Lincoln (2-1), winning a Regional Title. After an 8-3 win over Jacksonville last night, they’re set to play Mahomet-Seymour for Sectional Championship this upcoming weekend. Below were some of their top performers:
Johnny Timmons, C, Champaign Central, 2027
Uncommitted. Timmons led the way offensively for Champaign Central in a 2-1 victory over Lincoln with a single and triple, while scoring twice.
Chase Bartlett, RHP, Champaign Central, 2024
Uncommitted. Bartlett had a dominant game on the mound in a 2-1 victory over Lincoln. He went five innings while allowing only one earned run.
Luke McClure, OF, Champaign Central, 2025
Wright State Commit. McClure had a dominant day on the field in Champaign Central's win over Lincoln. With the bat, he had two hits including the go-ahead RBI single. He then took the mound and got the final six outs.
CONANT
Conant defeated Palatine (5-2), Hersey (6-3) and Libertyville (16-4) so far in the playoffs, and they’re set to play Stevenson in the Sectional Championship tomorrow. Below were some of their top performers from the past week:
Bryce Loeger, RHP, Conant, 2024
Dartmouth commit. Loeger had a stellar day on the mound tossing a zero-earned run complete game in a 5-2 win over Fremd. He only allowed three hits while striking out eight.
Franklin Kirchner, LHP, Conant, 2025
Uncommitted. Kirchner dominated on the mound in a 6-3 win over Hersey. He tossed six innings, allowed zero runs on four hits and five strikeouts.
Isaiah Rhodes, IF, Conant, 2024
Uncommitted. Rhodes led the way offensively in a big 6-3 win over Hersey. He ended the day 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs.
LIBERTYVILLE
Chase Lockwood, RHP, Libertyville, 2026
Lockwood, an uncommitted sophomore, tossed a complete game shutout vs. Wheeling in a 1-0 Regional Semi-Final win. Lockwood went all seven innings, scattered three hits, did not walk a batter and struck out 11. This was a continuation of an impressive spring for Lockwood. Going into this week Lockwood has the following stat line: 51.2 IP, 8-1-2, 10 R, 2 ER, 55 K, 19 BB, 0.27 ERA, 1.08 WHIP
Josh Holst, LHP, Libertyville, 2025
Air Force commit, currently ranked No. 38 in the state. Holst tossed a complete game shutout to pick up the win in the Regional Championship game against Lake Zurich. Holst gave up two hits, no runs, walked five and struck out nine. Going into this week Holst has the following stat line: 50 IP, 5-2, 16 R, 10 ER, 86 K, 23 BB, 1.4 ERA, 1.12 WHIP.
NEUQUA VALLEY
The Wildcats defeated Yorkville (11-7) and West Aurora (2-1), winning a Regional Championship. Below were some of their top performers:
Sebastian Guzman, RHP, Neuqua Valley, 2024
Uncommitted. Guzman tossed a great game in an 11-7 win over Yorkville. He went 5.2 innings, striking out five while allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks.
Matt Knapczyk, OF, Neuqua Valley, 2024
Parkland JC Commit. Knapczyk had a great day at the plate going 3-for-4 with a double, RBI, and hit-by-pitch. He was also lights out on the base paths swiping four bags and scoring three times.
Paul Feret, OF, Neuqua Valley, 2024
Purdue University-Northwest signee. Feret had a good week at the plate en route to a win over Yorkville and West Aurora. In their game against Yorkville, he went 1-for-1 while drawing four walks, stealing a bag, and scoring twice. While facing West Aurora he went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and the game-winning RBI.
Andrew Gould, SS, Neuqua Valley, 2024
Maryville University Commit. Gould had an impressive day at the plate going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, a walk, and a run against Yorkville.
Mike Langan, IF, Neuqua Valley, 2025
Uncommitted. Langan had a solid week in the box going 2-for-5 with a triple, RBI, and two runs scored in a win over Yorkville. In the win over West Aurora, Langan continued his solid week going 1-for-2 with a hit-by-pitch and a run scored.
Will Zalabak, 1B, Neuqua Valley, 2024
Uncommitted. Zalabak had an impressive day at the plate going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a walk to help in the win against Yorkville.
Joe Barkley, OF, Neuqua Valley, 2025
Uncommitted. In his first-ever varsity at-bat, Barkley set the tone by going 1-for-1 with an RBI.
Josh Repmann, RHP, Neuqua Valley, 2027
Uncommitted. Repmann made his first-ever varsity appearance and shut the doors against West Aurora, going one inning and collecting the save.
Alex Voegele, RHP, Neuqua Valley, 2024
Dominican University Commit. Alex Voegele had an impressive game on the mound in the 2-1 win over West Aurora. He tossed six innings, tallied five strikeouts, allowed one earned run, three walks, and only four hits.
Owen Shannon, 1B/OF, Neuqua Valley, 2025
Uncommitted. Shannon had an impressive performance in the win against West Aurora. He went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
St. Rita
On Monday St. Rita took on Marian Catholic, and with two outs, down nine in the bottom of the sixth inning the Mustangs scored nine runs to tie the game at 12-12. They eventually won the game on a walk-off home run from Sir Jamison Jones. Below were some of their top performers:
Baker Shelhamer, 1B, 2024
Maryville University commit. Shelhamer had an impressive game, going 2-for-5 with a home run, double and five RBIs.
Sir Jamison Jones, C, 2024
Oklahoma State signee. Jones helped add to the Mustangs’ comeback win, going 2-for-5 with a home run, four RBIs, one run scored and a walk. His home run was a walk-off three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to propel them to a Regional Title win.
Peyton Panozzo, RHP, 2025
Uncommitted. Earned the win on the mound, throwing 3.1 innings in relief, striking out five, walking one, allowing no earned runs and three hits
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