Providence's Wetzel Warms to the Occasion

1. Providence (6-0): Senior right-hander Dan Wetzel warmed to the occasion of pitching on a cold night in the championship game of WJOL Tournament. Wetzel scattered six hits over 6.2 innings as the Celtics clipped rival Joliet Catholic Academy 4-3 to remain unbeaten. Wetzel struck out six. Providence's Kevin DeFilipis, Sam Travis, Nick Gould and Dan Potempa were named to the all-tournament team. Last week: No. 1.

2. Sandburg (2-1): The Eagles’ pitching has been solid—a fact evident even in their only loss, a 1-0 setback to perennial power Lyons Township. Now, it’s a matter of the bats coming around. Last week: No. 2.

3. Homewood-Flossmoor (5-1): Vikings rolling behind their own “Big Ben.” Ben Kirchler went 3-for-4 in a 6-5 10-ininng victory over Thornton Fractional South. Last week: Unranked.

4. Andrew (5-3): Pat Elget and Brian Cobb had two hits in a 6-2 victory over Marian Catholic. Phil Bria doubled and chipped in two RBIs. Last week: No. 3.

5. Lincoln-Way West (4-0):  Matt Bishop scattered seven hits and struck out four in five innings as the Warriors topped Oak Forest 12-2. Last week: Unranked.

Next best (in alphabetical order): Chicago Christian, Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way North, Oak Forest, Rich Central.

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