By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the top 75 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage: 

Team: Glenwood
Preseason Rank: 22
2013 Record: 22-9
Conference: Central State 8
IHSA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Pat Moomey
Playoff Run: Lost in Sectional Final (Bloomington)
2013 Final Rank: Not Ranked

Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS
Brian Hobbie, RHP/OF, 2014 (Indiana)
Konnor Aherin, LHP, 2014
Nick Maton, SS, 2015
Sam Anderson, OF, 2015
Matt Banaitis, C, 2014
Garrett Brennan, 1B/LHP, 2015
Brock Thornton, RHP, 2014
Tyler Brown, LHP, 2014
Kyle Hall, RHP/2B, 2015
Matt Sekardi, OF/RHP, 2015

X-FACTOR
Brian Hobbie. The 6-foot-6 Indiana recruit is known for his prowess on the mound - and rightfully so. He pitches in the upper-80s and is one of the top prospects in Illinois’ 2014 class. However, Hobbie possesses pop at the plate as well. He led the Titans in extra-base hits, and will be counted on again to be a big run producer.

OUTLOOK
Year in and year out, few programs have been as consistent as the Titans in Class 3A. Coach Pat Moomey once again has a formidable club, one that has the talent to make a substantial run, as the Titans did in 2009 and 2010, when they finished runner-up and won the state championship in consecutive seasons. Glenwood returns its top two pitchers from last year, Hobbie and 6-foot-5 LHP Konnor Aherin. The duo handled the bulk of the innings last year as the Titans crept in to claim a three-way share of the Central State 8 crown. The Titans have a talented junior class, including three players who started as sophomores: SS Nick Maton, OF Sam Anderson and 1B/LHP Garrett Brennan. Moomey said the big question is the team’s inexperience on the infield. Maton, who started at 2B last year, will likely slide over to SS.   

BOTTOM LINE
The Titans have talent all over the field, and have good frontline pitching. The biggest hurdle for the Titans during the regular season and playoffs will be rival Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin. Typically the two clubs fight it out for the conference crown and then have to turn around and play each other in the 3A regionals. Last year, Glenwood defeated SHG in regionals.

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Season Countdown

+ Preseason Team Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Player Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2014 Player Rankings

+ June Event Schedule