H-F Set to Turn Loose its Young Guns

Around the horn with the Vikings

Coach: Todd Sippel.

Last year Record: 20-8 overall, 6-6 in the Southwest Suburban Blue.

Opener: March 26 at Richards.

Returning starters/positions: David Fatoki (pitcher), Dan Lietz (pitcher), Stephen Roman (catcher), Ben Kirchler (shortstop),David Stern (second base), Ryan Rasmas (designated hitter).

Key losses: Aaron Hauge (pitcher), Tommy Doane (pitcher), Jack Sheehan (outfield).

Returning all-conference players: David Fatoki (pitcher). Fatoki also is a standout basketball player at H-F.

Quick hit: "All SWSC games are key for us," H-F coach Todd Sippel said. "The conference is loaded again and every game will be tough."

Newcomer to watch: "First baseman Chris Michaels has looked good in the off-season," Sippel said. "Time will tell if it transfers into the regular season."

Team strengths: "A lot of returning players from last year's successful team," Sippel said. "We should be strong up the middle."

Team weakness: "Lack of experience and depth for our pitching staff," Sippel said.

Infield: First base--Junior Chris Michaels or junior Ryan Redmond. Both were productive on the sophomore level. Second base--Junior David Stern. He started on the varsity all year as a sophomore and finished with a .355 batting average. Shortstop--Junior Ben Kirchler. He started as a sophomore and hit .376 with 13 stolen bases. Third base--Junior Jonathan Diemer. He led the sophomore team with a .446 batting average. Designated hitter--Senior Ryan Rasmas. He is a returning starter. Rasmas batted .408 with four home runs and 33 RBIs.

Outfield: Senior Nico Kelly. He was used primarily as a defensive replacement last year. He came on strong this summer and projects to bat at or near the top of the Vikings' lineup. Junior Dan Lietz. He was utilized last year mainly as a pitcher, but more than likely will be H-F's starter in center field.

Pitching staff:  Senior right-hander David Fatoki. He was a key reliever last year ending the season with a 1.36 ERA. He will be asked to start and pitch a lot of big games this year. Senior right-hander Evan Nietfeldt. He pitched 18 innings last year but is projected to be one of top three starters this season. Junior left-hander Dan Lietz also will be called on as a starter. In the bullpen, four juniors will contribute--Aaron Johnson, Joseph Sherlock, Chris Michaels and Justen Smith. The closer on the sophomore team last year was junior Matt Groboski, a left-hander. He could turn into the Vikings' late-inning guy on the varsity level, too.

Catcher: Junior Stephen Roman. He started last year in the outfield and hit .269 with two homers and 17 RBIs.

Coach Todd Sippel says: “We need to have continued success from our returning starters and also have a few surprise players that step in to key roles, especially on our pitching staff.

"Last year, Aaron Hauge and Tommy Doane pitched the majority of our big games. Both graduated. So, we need to fill those shoes.

“Of the 21 players on the roster, only six are seniors, so hopefully the younger Vikings will step it up and work hard."

College recruits: Ryan Rasmas, Evan Nietfeldt and David Fatoki are all looking to play college ball.