By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 25 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

3B Sam Faith

Team: St. Charles North
Preseason Rank: 6
2015 Record: 33-5
Conference: Uptate Eight
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Todd Genke
Playoff Run: Lost in the Sectional Semifinal
2015 Final Rank: 12
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 5

 TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Tyler Mettetal, LHP/1B, 2017 (South Carolina)
Zach Mettetal, SS, 2017 (Memphis)
Sam Faith, 3B, 2017 (Oregon)
John Legare, RF, 2016 (Purdue)
Brendan Joyce, CF, 2016 (Parkland JC)
Jack Lambert, LHP, 2016 (Parkland JC)
Kyle Novotney, LF, 2016
Tim Hasto, RHP, 2017
Angel Torres, INF, 2016 (Judson)
Ryan Litavecz, RHP, 2017

X-FACTOR
Tyler Mettetal. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound South Carolina recruit is a true two-way standout and one of the top-ranked prospects in Illinois’ 2017 class. The left-handed pitcher gives the North Stars a true frontline ace on the mound. He’s a three-pitch strike-thrower with a fastball that works in the 86-89 mph range. Mettetal also is a middle-of-the-lineup run-producer at the plate.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Ryan Litavecz: The 6-foot-2 junior right-hander posted a 7-0 record over the summer for the North Stars.

KEY PLAYERS LOST
1B/LHP Cory Wright (Kansas State)
RHP Sam Hubbe (Butler)

STAT RAT
Speedy senior CF Brendan Joyce, a Parkland recruit, led the team with 23 hit-by-pitches last spring.

OUTLOOK
The North Stars welcome back seven starters from a last year’s team that won 33 games behind an offense that averaged eight runs a contest. Besides their high-scoring offense, one that features high-level Division 1 prospects across the diamond, depth and excellent team speed, coach Todd Genke welcomes back five pitchers with quality experience. Genke’s depth and overall talent will make it easier to replace PBR first-team All-State 1B/LHP Cory Wright, a three-year standout now at Kansas State. Offensively, the Mettetal twins return for their junior campaign. SS Zach Mettetal, a Memphis commit, has been anchoring the defense since his freshman year, while LHP/1B Tyler Mettetal is a South Carolina recruit who is a dynamic two-way threat. Junior 3B Sam Faith, an Oregon recruit, brings switch-hitting pop and excellent defense. In the outfield, seniors John Legare (Purdue) and Brendan Joyce (Parkland) add excellent speed to the lineup, while Kyle Novotney returns after leading the team in homers and doubles as the team’s cleanup hitter. Tyler Mettetal leads the way on the mound, followed by senior LHP Jack Lambert (Parkland).  The North Stars also feature a host of other arms that will contribute on the mound.  

BOTTOM LINE
The North Stars should once again have their way in the Upstate 8 Conference (last year they went 22-3 in conference) and enjoy another 30-win season. With the talent and experience coming back, expect St. Charles North to make a deeper postseason run than last year’s sectional semifinal exit.

Make sure to follow @pbrillinois on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the season.

SEASON COUNTDOWN

+ Preseason Top 25 Team Countdown Previews 

+ Updated Illinois 2016 Rankings

+ Complete Illinois High School Schedules