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: Nazareth
Preseason Rank: 10
2014 Record: 23-15
Conference: East Suburban Catholic Conference
IHSA Class: 3A  
Head Coach: Lee Milano
Playoff Run: Lost in Sectionals
2014 Final Rank: NR  
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Brandon Bossard, MIF/RHP, 2016
Mike Kogut, RHP, 2015 (John A. Logan JC)
Donald Kelly, LHP, 2015
Ryan Kramer, OF, 2015
Matt Flach, OF, 2015
Matt Wilson, OF/P
Shane Gipson, C, 2016
Carson Bartels, MIF, 2016
Kyle Kane, 1B/RHP, 2016
Chris Campagna, RHP, 2016

X-FACTOR
MIF/RHP Brandon Bossard helped lead the Roadrunners to an IHSBCA Summer State Runner-Up trophy, impressing with his bat and arm on the mound. Bossard hit .350 in the summer, and also came into close at times showcasing mid-80’s fastball velocity with a 12/6 curveball.

KEY PLAYER LOST
Jake Bartels, RHP (Western Michigan)
Tim DalPorto, SS (Kent State)
Peter Minella, LHP (Western Illinois)

STAT RAT
The returning senior outfielders all impressed last season at the plate. Ryan Kramer hit .418 last spring to lead the Roadrunners, Matt Flach hit .335 with 22 walks in 2014, and Matthew Wilson hit .388 during the summer state run.

OUTLOOK
Nazareth beat high level programs on their way to the summer state championship game: Oak Park-River Forest, Glenbrook North, St. Laurence, and Prairie Ridge before falling to Joliet Catholic 3-1 in a hard fought contest. Expect the Roadrunners to build off last summer and if the pitching stays consistent as it did in the summer, compete with Joliet Catholic for the ESCC crown. Senior LHP Donald Kelly threw a gem in the summer state title game, impressing with a low 80’s fastball. Senior RHP Mike Kogut has dominant stuff when he’s on, capable of pitching in the upper 80's. Junior catcher Shane Gipson has elite catch-and-throw skills behind the plate, capable of producing 1.93-2.0 pop times (78 mph out of the crouch).

BOTTOM LINE
Coach Lee Milano’s squad is primed for a big year in 2015 after playing well together this past summer. Look for them to battle it out with Joliet Catholic, Carmel, Benet, Notre Dame, and St. Viator in one of the state’s deepest conferences this year. The experience gained during last summer’s run should bode well for their playoff fortunes in 2015. Don’t be surprised to see the Roadrunners in Joliet, but they’ll have to get through a tough sectional with Fenwick, Benet, and Montini.

Preseason Countdown

+ Top 50 Preseason Countdown Rankings

+ 2015 Schedules Released

+ Updated Illinois 2016 Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Rankings

+ June Event Schedule