Top-Ranked Providence Aims to End Where it Begins

1. Providence Catholic (25-12 last year): The Catholic League champion Celtics return 9-of-10 pitchers, including Matt Trowbridge, and will accept nothing less than a deep playoff run. Trowbridge was 6-1 with a 3.73 ERA. Senior third baseman Sam “I Am Powerful” Travis will provide much of the offensive punch. He hit .486 with five homers and 32 RBIs. Opener: March 21 at Plainfield East.

2. Andrew (27-11): The Thunderbolts will follow the lead of seniors Dan Truesdale, Chris Golumaki and Nick DeBenedetti as they look to win the Southwest Suburban Red title outright and make some noise in the postseason. Truesdale returns to head the pitching staff after going 5-0. DeBenedetti roams center field and brings a football mentality to the baseball diamond. He is a go-getter. DeBenedetti will play football in college at St. Xavier. Opener: March 22 at Kankakee.

3. Oak Forest (25-8): The Bengals advanced to the sectionals for the first time in more than two decades and return a nucleus that could turn that feat into a distant memory. Kansas State recruit Tim Barry Sr. needs eight homers to tie an IHSA career mark. Louisville commitment Kyle Funkhouser is coming off a spectacular sophomore season. He went 9-1 with a 1.55 ERA. Funkhouser struck out 55 in 64 innings. Opener: March 22 at Joliet West.

4. Lincoln-Way North (24-12): The Phoenix return one of the top battery combinations in the area with Jake Harper as the ace of their pitching staff and A.J. Neufeld entrenched behind the plate. Not only is Neufeld an excellent defensive catcher but he hit in excess of .520 last season. Outfielders Jake Irace and Colin Hannigan have been fixtures on the varsity level since they were sophomores. Opener: Saturday at Brother Rice.

5. Sandburg (27-10): Nick Bates, Eric Chmielewski and Justin Theisen will head the Eagles’ pitching staff. Theisen, a left-hander, went 5-0 with a 2.52 ERA in summer-league ball. Ryan Parker, likewise, tore the cover off the ball to the tune of a .429 average with five homers. He is poised to take over in center field. Eastern Illinois recruit Brant Balach returns at shortstop. Opener: March 28 vs. Oak Lawn.

Next best (in alphabetical order): Chicago Christian, Homewood-Flossmoor, Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way East, Richards.

(Covering the following Patch communities: Chicago Heights, Evergreen Park, Frankfort, Homewood-Flossmoor, Mokena, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Palos, Tinley Park and the neighboring private schools that draw students from those communities).