Week 5 Diamond Notes
April 21, 2023
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 honor. On Wednesday, we awarded the Week 5 Player of the Week honor to Jake Zitella (St. Charles East, 2023; Illinois) and the Pitcher of the Week honor to Ethan Eberle (Normal Community, 2024). Last week, Zitella hit 11-for-15 (.733 BA/1.667 SLG/2.373 OPS) with four home runs, two doubles, 10 RBIs, and seven runs scored. Eberle threw a five-inning perfect game, striking out 11, on only 52 pitches in the Ironmen’s 14-0 win over Peoria Richwoods.
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 5 DIAMOND NOTES
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Jack Novak OF / C / Lincoln-Way Central, IL / 2023Rankings StateRank: 222 / POS: 33
Illinois Wesleyan commit. Novak helped the Knights go 3-2 on the week with wins over Batavia (19-4), Bolingbrook (15-12), and No. 3 St. Laurence (16-6). On the Week Novak went 12-for-20 (.600) with a triple, seven doubles, 13 RBIs, 11 runs scored, and only one strikeout. Against Batavia, he went a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles, six RBIs, and four runs scored. He went a perfect 4-for-4 with a triple, two doubles, five RBIs, two runs scored and a walk against Bolingbrook, and he added a double with an RBI and a run scored against No. 3 St. Laurence. |
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Carter Allaman / Bushnell-Prairie City, IL / 2023Uncommitted. Bushnell-Prairie City went 4-0 last week behind two quality starts on the mound from Allaman and a 9-for-14 (.643) week at the plate, where also tallied six RBIs and five runs scored. In their 9-8 win over Shiocton (WI), Allaman went 3-for-3 at the plate with four RBIs, one run scored, and one walk. With the bases loaded, Allaman hit a walkoff RBI single, scoring two runs for the Spartans. He started on the mound in their 8-6 win over Cuba/Spoon River and struck out seven. At the plate he tallied three hits, one being a double, with an RBI and a run scored. Allaman got the start in their 8-2 win over Havana and threw 5.2 innings with eight strikeouts and no earned runs. He also tallied a hit, RBI, and run in the win. |
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Jack Sharko SS / OF / Bartlett, IL / 2023Aurora commit. Sharko went 6-for-13 (.462) on the week with two home runs, two doubles, six RBIs, and seven runs scored. In a conference game for first place, Sharko hit a go-ahead grand slam in the fifth inning. |
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Collin Jennings OF / 1B / Marist, IL / 2023Rankings StateRank: 108 / POS: 16
Illinois commit. Marist won two games last week over Evergreen Park (10-0) and Joliet Catholic (12-10). On the week, Jennings went 8-for-17 (.471) with four home runs, a double, eight RBIs, and 10 runs scored. Jennings had two hits, two RBIs, and a run scored in their win over Evergreen Park. In their loss against No. 2 Providence Catholic, he added two home runs, two RBIs, and two runs scored. In their loss to Joliet Catholic, he went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, four RBIs, four runs scored, and a walk. Week 3: Jennings was mentioned within the Week 3 Diamond Notes after hitting 6-for-12 (.500 BA/.571 OBP) with a triple, double, and six runs scored. |
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Gavin Awbrey 3B / SS / Orion , IL / 2025The Sophomore put together an impressive week, helping the Chargers go 2-1. Awbrey went 6-for-10 (.600 BA/ .667 OBP/1.300 SLG/1.967 OPS) with a home run, triple, two doubles, nine RBIs, seven runs scored, and four stolen bases on the week. In their 8-6 win over Sherrard, Awbrey went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, three RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk. In their 14-4 win over Bureau Valley, he went 2-for-4 with a triple, double, five RBIs, and two runs scored. Season Stats:(.360 BA/.418 OBP/.700 SLG/1.118 OPS), 2 HR, 3B, 9 2B, 18 RBI, 15 R, 9 SB |
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Landon Seymour / Hononegah, IL / 2024Uncommitted. Hononegah went 3-0 on the week, and the junior played a major role in their wins after slashing (.778 BA/.857 OBP/1.889 SLG) with two home runs, a triple, two doubles, six RBIs, eight runs, five walks, and only one strikeout. In their 10-4 win over Hononegah, Seymour went a perfect 3-for-3 with two home runs, four RBIs, four runs scored, and two walks. He produced a similar stat line in their 17-1 win over Belvidere North going a perfect 3-for-3 with a triple, two doubles, four RBIs, and four runs scored. On the year the junior is hitting .463. |
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Nate Stempowski SS / 2B / Geneva , IL / 2024Uncommitted. Geneva went 5-0 on the week and 3-0 in conference play over Glenbard North. For the week Stempowski slashed (.500 BA/.545 OBP/1.333 SLG/1.879 OPS) with three home runs, two triples, two doubles, 12 RBIs, 11 runs scored, and three walks. In the Vikings 9-7 win over Glenbard North, Stempowski went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs, three runs scored, and a walk. He added a home run and a triple in their 20-13 win over Glenbard North with five RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk. Stempowski went 3-for-4 with a home run, double, three RBIs and three runs scored in their 14-10 win over Glenbard East. |
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Colby Wort Brown County, IL / 2023Uncommitted. Brown County finished the week 4-1 with Wort going 7-for-15 (.467) with two home runs, two doubles, 11 RBIs, 12 runs scored, and six stolen bases. Wort went 1-for-1 with a double, four RBIs, four runs scored, and three walks in their 17-3 win over Griggsville-Perry. In the Hornets 16-1 win over Astoria/VIT, Wort went a perfect 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, six RBIs, and four runs scored. He started on the mound in their 10-1 win over North Greene and threw six innings with eight strikeouts, no earned runs, and he also tallied a hit with one RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. |
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Sir Jamison Jones C / 1B / St. Rita, IL / 2024Illinois State commit. Jones was a big part of the Mustangs 4-0 week after going 9-for-12 (.750) at the plate with three doubles, 10 RBIs, three walks, and no strikeouts. In their 11-1 win over Brooks, he went 3-for-4 with four RBIs. He added two hits with two doubles, one of which was a game-tying double in the sixth inning, two RBIs, and a walk in their 8-7 win over St. Ignatius. Jones went a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBIs in their win over Simeon. Season Stats:
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Jacob McPherson RHP / OF / Reed-Custer , IL / 2023Rankings StateRank: 182 / POS: 61
Wisconsin-Whitewater commit. McPherson was a big part in helping the Comets go 4-0 on the week. In an Illinois Central Eight game against Lisle, McPherson threw a perfect game (his second no-hitter of the season) on 75 pitches, tallying 14 strikeouts. At the plate, he went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. On the week, he went 5-for-14 (.357) with two home runs, six RBIs, and four runs scored. Season Stats (Pitching): Season Stats (Hitting): |
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Dylan Eckrote Vernon Hills, IL / 2023Uncommitted. Ecrkote started on the mound for the Cougars in their game against Niles West and threw a complete game on 76 pitches with six strikeouts, three hits, and a walk, earning them their first win of the season. |
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Brady Jackson Marion, IL / 2024Uncommitted. Jackson went 6-for-14 on the week with two doubles and two RBIs. In their 6-5 loss to Althoff Catholic, he went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. He added two more hits, one being a double, a run scored, and a walk in their 9-5 loss to Highland. |
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Josh Fleming SS / 3B / York, IL / 2025The Dukes went 4-2 on the week, moving them to 8-6-1 on the season. Fleming had a stellar week going 10-for-17 (.588) with three home runs, four doubles, 10 RBIs, 13 runs, and two walks. In the Duke's 12-1 win over Glenbard West, Fleming went 2-for-3 with a home run, double, three RBIs, three runs scored, and a walk. He went 1-for-1 with a home run, one RBI, two runs scored, and two walks against Downers Grove North. He added a double and a single with three RBIs and three runs scored in their 17-7 win over Glenbard West. Season Stats:19-for-39 (.487 BA/.615 OBP/1.667 OPS/1.051 SLG) 5 HR, 7 2B, 18 RBI, 20 R, 8 BB, 2 SB |
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Jake Zeal OF / OF / Lena-Winslow , IL / 2023Loras commit. The senior had an impressive week going a perfect 6-for-6 with a home run, two doubles, nine RBIs, seven runs, and five stolen bases. In their first game of the week against Aquin Catholic, Zeal went 1-for-1 with two RBIs, three runs scored, and two walks helping lead the Panthers to a 15-1 win. To round out his impressive week, Zeal went 4-for-4 with a grand slam, double, six RBIs, three runs scored, and a walk in their 17-6 win over Amboy. Season Stats:(.571 BA/.683 OBP/.929 SLG), 2 HR, 3B, 3 2B, 18 RBI, 12 SB |
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Cooper Malamazian SS / RHP / Nazareth Academy, IL / 2024Indiana commit. In limited game action last week due to scores of games, Malamazian went 5-for-11 with two home runs, two triple, a double, eight RBIs, five runs scored, and two walks. In their 4-0 win over Maple Shade (NJ) Malamazian went 1-for-2 with a triple, two RBIs, one run scored, and two walks. He went 3-for-4 with a home run, triple, four RBIs, and three runs scored in their 16-0 win over Notre Dame Ohio. In their 10-0 win over Plainville (CT) he went 1-for-2 with a home run, two RBIs, and a run scored, and also threw one inning on the mound, striking out two. |
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Joseph Mendiola 2B / RHP / Belleville East , IL / 2023Rankings StateRank: 233 / POS: 3
St. Charles CC commit. Mendiola helped lead the Lancers to a 2-1 week, earning wins over Freeburg (5-3) and Mater Dei (14-2). For the week he went 10-for-11 (.909) with four doubles, three RBIs, five runs scored, and a walk. Against Freeburg, he went a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs, and a run scored. He added three more hits, one being a double, with a run scored against Columbia, and he went a perfect 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI, three runs scored, and a walk against Mater Dei.
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Lucas Foley LHP / OF / Lake Zurich, IL / 2023Rankings StateRank: 136 / POS: 16
Valparaiso commit. In the Bears 10-0 win over Zion-Benton, Foley threw a five inning no-hitter, striking out 14 of the 15 batters faced. He was a dropped popup away from throwing a perfect game. In their 12-11 win over No. 4 Huntley, he picked up the save. |
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Kannon Kamp 2B / SS / Fr. McGivney Catholic, IL / 2025No. 7 Father McGivney went 5-0 last week, moving their record to 18-0 this season. In their five games played, Kamp went 9-for-12 (.750 BA/.800 OBP/.833 SLG/1.633 OPS) with a double, eight RBIs, nine runs scored, three walks, and two stolen bases. In their 31-0 win over Bunker Hill, Kamp went 3-for-3 with four RBIs, three runs scored, and a stolen base. He also threw two innings on the mound, struck out three, and earned the win in the combined no-hitter. He added two more hits with a double, two RBIs, three runs scored, and a walk in their 14-2 win over Bunker Hill. Rounding out their week, he went a perfect 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored In their 22-0 win over Maryville Christian.
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Ty O'Connell C / 2B / Wheaton North, IL / 2023Uncommitted. O’Connell went 9-for-18 (.500) last week with two home runs and nine RBIs. He had his most impressive performance of the week in their 12-10 win over Prairie Ridge. He went a perfect 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, six RBIs, and three runs scored. In their 14-8 loss to York, he tallied two hits and two RBIs. |
LANE TECH
Lane Tech went 3-1 on the week with wins over Amundsen (19-3), Von Steuben (4-3), and No. 20 Mundelein (13-0). Below were some of their top performers from the week:
Josh Katz, RHP, 2023
Pennsylvania commit. Katz threw on the mound in two games last week. He threw a complete game shutout (5 IN) with seven strikeouts, two hits allowed, no walks and no runs against No. 20 Mundelein. On the week he threw six innings with eight strikeouts. At the plate he went 6-for-11 (.545) with a triple, RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base.
Teo Greco, INF, 2025
Greco continued his 12-game hitting streak last week going 8-for-15 (.533) with a home run, triple, five RBIs, and eight runs. Against Amundsen, Greco went 3-for-3 with a home run, triple, two RBIs, two runs, and two walks. He added a hit with two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk against No. 20 Mundelein. Greco leads the team in batting average (.438) and OPS (1.188).
Week 4: Greco was mentioned within our Week 4 Diamond Notes after going 5-for-13 (.385) with a double, RBI, and two runs scored.
No. 14 LOCKPORT
The Porters went 2-2 on the week with wins over Mt. Carmel (17-4) and No. 5 Lincoln-Way West (13-8). Below are some of their top performers from the week:
Joey Manzo, OF, 2023
North Central commit. The left-handed hitter went 7-for-20 (.350) with five RBIs, nine runs scored, three walks, three hit-by-pitches, and three stolen bases. Manzo was a large part of the Porter’s offensive production throughout the week.
Anthony Francone, OF, 2023
St. Xavier commit. Francone went 8-for-16 (.500) with nine RBIs, four runs scored, and two stolen bases on the week.
Jake Schindler, C/1B, 2023
McHenry County commit. Schindler went 8-for-14 (.571) with seven RBIs on the week, and he led much of the run production throughout the week.
Giovani Zaragoza, INF, 2023
Carroll Football commit. Zaragoza was 4-for-10 (.400) on the week with seven runs scored, five walks, and a hit-by-pitch. Zaragoza has consistently found ways to get on-base this season.
Week 1: Zaragoza was mentioned within our Week 1 Diamond Notes where he scored four runs, collected five walks and two hit-by-pitches.
Dylan Nagle, RHP/INF, 2024
Uncommitted. The junior went 6-for-12 (.500) at the plate with seven runs scored and three stolen bases. Against Mt. Carmel, Nagle had multiple stolen bases and helped ignite the offense in the win.
Week 1: Nagle was named the Week 1 PBR Illinois Pitcher of the Week after he threw five scoreless innings, struck out nine, allowed one hit, and walked two in the 10-0 win over No. 8 Edwardsville.
Colton Benaitis, C/3B, 2026
The freshman got his first taste of varsity action last week and went 5-for-15 (.333) with six runs scored and four stolen bases.
No. 23 COLUMBIA
The Eagles went 6-0 on the week with wins over Red Bud (7-1), Roxana (19-9), Wesclin (11-1), Freeburg (5-0), Belleville East (4-3), and Mater Dei (13-3). Below were some of their top performers from the week:
Dom Voegele, RHP/SS, 2023
Kansas commit. Voegele pitched in two games last week and threw eight innings, earned one win, struck out 12, walked two, and allowed one earned run. At the plate, he went 9-for-18 (.500 BA/1.473 OPS) with a home run, triple, double, four RBIs, 13 runs scored, seven walks, and 10 stolen bases.
Season Stats (Pitching): 4-0 record, 24 IP, 0.88 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 38 K, 5 BB, 12 H
Season Stats (Hitting): (.469 BA/.567 OBP/.939 SLG), 4 HR, 2 3B, 7 2B, 15 RBI, 24 R,
Week 1: Voegele was mentioned within our Week 1 Diamond Notes after striking out eight in a no-hitter against St. Joseph-Ogden.
Four strong innings on the hill for RHP Dominic Voegele (Columbia, 2023; Kansas signee).
— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) April 15, 2023
FB T94 a few times, sat 90-93 mph. Spun a SL at 78-82 mph with depth for strikes & whiffs.
6-foot-2, 180-pound multi-sport standout at Columbia. #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/TI2Wd5DUK6
Reed Drabant, OF/INF, 2023
Vincennes JC commit. Drabant went 9-for-15 (.600 BA/1.633 OPS) with a triple, three doubles, five RBIs, seven runs scored, and four walks. Drabant leads the Eagles in batting average this season (.535) and on base percentage (.630).
Season Stats: (.535 BA/.630 OBP/.767 SLG), 2 3B, 6 2B, 17 RBI, 16 R
Brody Landgraf, 1B/RHP, 2026
The freshman went 8-for-17 (.471 BA/1.289 OPS) with a home run, triple, nine RBIs, and eight runs scored.
Season Stats: (.476 BA/.500 OBP/.711 SLG), HR, 2 3B, 4 2B, 18 RBI, 15 R
THORNTON FRACTIONAL SOUTH
The Red Wolves went 4-1 last week with wins over Hillcrest (18-3) & (15-0), Blue Island Eisenhower (25-7), and Rich Township (11-1) with their only loss coming to No. 13 Sandburg (5-1). Below were some of their top performers from the week:
Rakim Ali, C/OF, 2024
Southern commit. The junior went 8-for-14 (.571 BA/.647 OBP/1.143 SLG) with a home run (3-run), five doubles, 13 RBIs, seven runs scored, a walk, and two hit-by-pitches.
Tyler Earmsmuth, RHP/OF, 2024
Uncommitted. Earmsmuth went 9-for-13 (.692 BA/.765 OBP/1.077 SLG) with a grand slam, two doubles, 10 RBIs, 10 runs scored, four walks, and 10 stolen bases. He also threw on the mound against Eisenhower and earned the win with four strikeouts and three runs.
NORMAL U-HIGH
The Pioneers went 3-3 on the week with wins over Normal Community (10-2), Rochester (7-0), and Morton (9-8). Below were some of their top performers from the week:
Charlie Vercruysse, SS/RHP, 2024
Notre Dame commit. Vercruysse went 11-for-22 (.500) with two home runs, four doubles, and seven RBIs.
Grant Marshall, LHP/1B, 2023
Rock Valley JC commit. Marshall went 8-for-14 (.571) with six RBIs. On the season he is hitting .535.
Week 2: Marshall was mentioned within our Week 2 Diamond Notes after going 10-for-18 (.556) with two doubles and eight RBIs on the week.
Cody Shouse, RHP, 2023
Uncommitted. The senior threw a complete game shutout in their win over Rochester. He tallied 13 punch outs and only one walk in the game.
NEUQUA VALLEY
The Wildcats went 1-4 on the week with a win over Naperville North (13-9). Below were some of their top performers from the week:
Mark Mennecke, 1B/LHP, 2023
Uncommitted. Mennecke went 8-for-12 (.667 BA/.647 OBP/1.038 SLG) with a home run, triple, seven RBIs, four runs scored, one strikeout, and two walks on the week.
Tommy Kuban, MIF/RHP, 2023
Uncommitted. On the week, Kuban went 6-for-15 (.400 BA/.444 OBP/1.000 SLG) with three home runs, 10 RBIs, six runs scored, a walk, and two strikeouts. He also threw four innings on the mound against Homewood-Flossmoor and tallied five strikeouts, two walks, two earned runs, and three hits.
Peter Pipikios, LHP, 2024
Uncommitted. Pipikios earned the win on the mound against Naperville North. He threw in two games (4 IN) throughout the week, struck out six, walked three, allowed two runs and two hits.
GLENBROOK NORTH
Kevin Geake, C, 2023
Lincoln Memorial commit. Geake went 8-for-11 (.727) with four doubles, three RBIs, and six runs. He also pitched one scoreless inning with two punch outs.
Spencer Geake, RHP, 2023
Wisconsin-Parkside commit. Geake went 8-for-12 (.667) with a home run, double, five RBIs, and three runs scored.