The 2025 IHSA season begins on Monday, March 17th, and with that ScoutConnect is eager to release its inaugural ‘Preseason Rankings’ for the upcoming season. Please note that these rankings are for what our staff considers to be ‘Small Schools’, which encompasses the 1A and 2A classifications in the state of Illinois. We posted our ‘Large School’ – class 3A and 4A – earlier in the week, which you can find by clicking HERE. 

Several factors were considered when ranking these programs in a top-10 list, such as roster talent, team history, strength of schedule, coaching staff, and much more. This list is not absolute by any means and will be updated on a week-to-week basis, except for at the beginning of the year, where an update may take place after two weeks of play. 

Teams taken into consideration are those that fall into our ‘Coverage Map’, which includes all of Southern Illinois, the Metro East area, Springfield, and up as high as Mt. Zion. This does not mean that our staff won’t provide coverage to all areas of the state, as well as Missouri, but for team rankings purposes, we will stick to all teams in 1A and 2A that fall underneath the Mt. Zion line. 

With all of that being said, continue reading below to learn more about the teams that slot inside our initial ‘Small School’ preseason list.

NO. 1 FATHER MCGIVNEY

In their final year at the 1A classification, Father McGivney enters 2025 with a roster that would be more than capable of competing with all of the ‘Large Schools’ we highlighted in our rankings earlier this week. Head Coach Chris Erwin’s club is absolutely loaded from top to bottom, earning the top spot on our initial rankings, and they may just be the most talented 1A school in the entire state. 

Seven starters in the lineup return for this group, but the Griffins’ lineup starts with their impressive up-the-middle duo of INF Drew Kleinheider (2025; St. Louis) and INF/RHP Kannon Kamp (2025; SIUE). Kleinheider was nothing short of stellar throughout his junior year, slashing .471/.577/.605 with 12 doubles, 33 RBI, 49 stolen bases, and 10 more walks (22) than punchouts (12). He’s also a quality defender at shortstop that can move around the infield in a pinch and should be one of the area’s top all-around players. Kamp swings a highly polished and mature left-handed barrel that makes for a tough at-bat in each trip to the plate. He hit .313 last season with nine extra-base hits, including three home runs, and he plated 26, while drawing 29 walks to just eight strikeouts. He’s able to play anywhere on the infield, and can also slide to the outfield, adding even more value to his profile. On top of all of that, Kamp’s the presumed ace of this pitching staff, posting a 1.73 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 56 ⅔ innings last spring with 69 strikeouts to 11 walks. 

Right next to those two, at third base, is INF Justin Terhaar (2025; UMSL), an ultra-physical right-handed bat that finished with the second most RBI (37) last season and hit .358. 1B/RHP Isaac Wendler (2026) has been a regular for this program since his sophomore season and enjoyed a successful 2024, slashing .357/.467/.482 with 11 extra-base hits and 24 RBI. Wendler’s likely to shoulder more of a workload on the mound this spring, though he was rather stellar in a 21 ⅓ inning sample last year, pitching to a 0.33 ERA with 32 punchouts and 11 walks. He’s jumped into the upper-80s this winter and improved the consistency with both of his secondaries (BB/CH), adding more quality depth to a pitching staff that’s full of it. 

Two left-handed hitting outfielders to watch for this team are OF/LHP Ben Sink (2026) and OF Omar Avalos (2027). Sink has the potential to be an impact defender in the outfield and slashed .317/.418/.433 with 27 RBI. He’s also a strike-thrower on the mound that started their Super-Sectional game against Routt Catholic last year and logged a 0.85 ERA over 33 frames with 46 strikeouts and 15 walks. He pitches in the low-to-mid-80s with his fastball while spinning a true sweeping slider off it for strikes and swing-and-miss. Avalos was an everyday regular for the Griffins as a freshman last season, reaching base at a .496 clip with a .313 batting average and 18 stolen bases. He’s tacked on more mass to a frame that was already plenty physical for his age and should only continue to build off the numbers he posted in his first taste of varsity action. 

A pair of junior infielders that will look to make their mark on this year’s club are INF/RHP Ty Etcheson (2026) and INF/OF Scott Phelps (2026). Etcheson is a 6.8 runner that can pick it on the infield and also has a mid-80s fastball on the mound with feel to spin. Phelps has made improvements at the plate, adding bat strength, intent, and impact from the left side this winter that he’ll look to translate into consistent in-game production this spring. C Grant Reed (2028) should be a mainstay behind the dish for Father McGivney and David Carroll (2025) is another upperclassmen to watch for this 

A bulk of this team’s pitching depth lies in their senior class, which is always a positive, especially when that older experience is blended with talent. RHP/OF Mason Holmes (2025; Hendrix) will be a two-way for this team, but he was exceptional on the mound last season, logging 49 ⅓ innings with a 1.70 ERA and 11 walks to 44 strikeouts. RHP Chase Kelley (2025; Spoon River CC) has added a few ticks of velocity this winter, now sitting in the mid-80s consistently, and punched out 34 over a 26 ⅔ inning workload as a junior. RHP Evan Koontz (2025; John Wood CC) has the stuff and demeanor to be a shutdown back-end bullpen piece, featuring a lively mid-to-upper-80s fastball and a tight slider that’s shown out-pitch potential in the past. LHP Dane Keeven (2025; Monmouth) is a long-limbed, athletic southpaw that makes for a tough look on the mound with a low-to-mid-80s fastball, bendy breaking ball, and diving splitter. 

NO. 2 ST. ANTHONY 

The reigning 2A state champions check in at second on our preseason list after dominating their way to the classification’s crown. Head Coach Tony Kreke’s club will be without some key ingredients that factored mightily into their winning formula, but a large chunk of necessary contributors are back for a repeat trip to Dozer Park. 

We’ll start on the mound, where the Bulldogs graduated just 21 total innings from a staff last season that was exceptional from top to bottom, including their top two arms: RHP/INF Brock Fearday (2025; SWIC) and RHP Aiden Lauritzen (2026). Fearday was flat-out this team’s best player, anchoring them on the mound to a 1.75 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 68 innings, including a stellar outing in the 2A state semi-final. He’ll shoulder a huge workload on the mound again, and at the plate, where he hit .417 with seven home runs, 11 doubles, and drove in 41 runs. Lauritzen (2026) threw really well for this club as a sophomore, pitching to a 7-0 record with a 1.21 ERA over 52 innings, and is a strike-thrower with three pitches that’s able to mix-and-match when he needs to in any given count. It’s also important to note the return of RHP Joseph Tegeler (2025), who completes the trio of the Bulldogs’ top three arms from a season ago that are back for more. Tegeler closed out the state championship game for St. Anthony and was impressive all year long, walking 10 and striking out 31 over 29 innings of work with a 1.93 ERA. 

Look for CIF Brady Hatton (2025; Kaskaskia CC) to be another huge part of this offense throughout his senior encore that’s capable of driving the ball gap-to-gap in any given at-bat. He hit .378 last season, homering seven times, and was nothing short of stellar at the state playoffs, accumulating multiple extra-base hits from the middle of this lineup. Two more seniors that were regular contributors last year that are back for more are OF Sam Link (2025) and C/INF Will Fearday (2025). 

The Bulldogs do have a handful of relatively fresh faces that could be impact pieces in 2025. RHP Xander Beals (2026) is an athletic right-hander that creates a tough look from a true ¾ slot with a low-80s fastball. A left-handed hitter, OF Henry Brent (2026) hit .284 over 67 at-bats as a sophomore and will look to build off that this season. SS/RHP Alex Mayer (2027) was on last year’s state championship club as a freshman and is a youngster that will look to make his impact on this club, as are C Rogan Allen (2026), LHP/OF Maddux Clark (2026), and INF Drake Brown (2026). 

NO. 3 SACRED-HEART GRIFFIN

Sacred-Heart Griffin saw plenty of success in 2024, reaching their Sectional Championship game before dropping a 2-1 contest to Litchfield. They’ll look to replicate that success, and then some, this spring, and they have a club under Head Coach Nicholas Naumovich that’s capable of doing so. 

Following in the footsteps of his older brother Sam Antonacci, a national champion at Heartland CC and current Chicago White Sox prospect, RHP/OF Andy Antonacci (2025; Heartland CC) will look to lead this club in his senior year. He’s a power arm on the mound, pitching in the upper-80s, and climbing into the low-90s, with a heavy fastball, while spinning a bullet slider off it. If he can consistently be in the zone, Antonacci has the potential to be one of the more lethal arms in the Springfield area and give this SHG club a chance to win each time he toes the rubber. 

Antonacci should be one of the Cyclones main offensive threats, as will OF Ty Springer (2026), who hit near the top of this lineup as a sophomore last year. He’s a premium defensive outfielder that can really run, and can swing it too, offering a blend of talented experience in the middle of this order. Two names that saw playing time last spring as sophomores and are expected to be back in expanded roles are UTL Carson Butler (2026) and OF/RHP Drew Ward (2026). Butler can play just about anywhere on the infield and has a strong, athletic frame to pair with a right-handed barrel that’s flashed middle-of-the-order impact in our looks. He’s also a low-80s arm on the mound that can provide depth in that regard for this team. Ward left a lasting impression on our staff this winter, showing clear athleticism, barrel feel, and repeatability at the plate, while also pitching at 83-84 mph on the mound with an above-average slider. Both of these uncommitted juniors impressed our staff up close at our recent Winter Showcase, and they’re both going to have to elevate their production from a year ago if the Griffins want to accomplish their goals this season. 

There’s more depth extending throughout this roster. INF Chris Link (2025) was an all-conference football selection for the Cyclones and returns after seeing some time last season. RHP Will Pennell (2026) figures to be a key piece to what this team is trying to accomplish on the mound, featuring a mid-80s fastball with a parachute changeup and a track record of filling up the strike zone. CIF Seth Monk (2026) and OF Will Coady (2026) are two other juniors to keep an eye on for this team. The Cyclones also have several underclassmen that could factor into this mix, like INF/RHP Austin Rutter (2027), OF/RHP Chase Beckham (2027), INF/RHP Ethan Cour (2027), and C Mikey Groesch (2027).

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NO. 4 PLEASANT PLAINS

There’s a history of winning at Pleasant Plains under IHSBCA Hall of Fame Head Coach Dave Greer, who eclipsed the 800th career victory mark last season in a 29-win campaign for the Cardinals. Nearly every key piece from that group is back in 2025 with another year of experience under their belt and the hunger to push for more under their legendary head coach. 

We’ll start with their senior class, a deep group that contributed mightily to the success that Pleasant Plains had last spring. Cooper Shallenberg (2025) is a former All-State basketball honoree that led this group at the plate last spring, batting .412 with a .519 on-base percentage and 14 stolen bases. He also contributed on the mound, posting a 1.84 ERA over 26 ⅔ innings on the bump, striking out 23 while walking only seven. Charlie Severino (2025) returns as a key up-the-middle piece defensively and also brings back a .351 batting average with nine extra-base hits, 22 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. Trager Shultz (2025) is one of several multi-sport athletes on the club and, although it was in a 70 at-bat sample, slashed .500/.568/.571 with 17 stolen bases last spring. Zach Ponce (2025) adds more depth and experience as a regular for this club last season. 

Three more of the Cardinals’ top arms return as well, starting with Taylor Brewer (2025), who led the way with 50 innings pitched last season, accumulating a 3.36 ERA and walking just 15 in that span. Sean Lowder (2025) led this group with 17 appearances, posting a 2.08 ERA over 40 ⅓ innings on the hill, walking 12. Colton Boon (2025) is another strike-throwing arm for this club, walking just five while fanning 25 in a 26 ⅓ inning sample. 

Pleasant Plains does have a handful of returning juniors that were regular contributors as underclassmen last spring. Grady Grisham (2026) led the way with 111 plate appearances, slashing .349/.462/.523 with 12 extra-base hits, 29 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. Both Drew Green (2026) and Owen Johnson (2026) saw success in spurts at the dish, while Cale Hatcher (2026) pitched to a 3.17 ERA in a 35 ⅓ inning sample. 

It’s unclear the impact that these two freshmen may have for Pleasant Plains, but MIF Landon Maisenbacher (2028) and MIF Andrew Potthoff (2028) are two youngsters that could positively contribute if they’re called upon. Maisenbacher can really defend on the infield with the ability to play multiple positions at a high level and it’s a simple, balanced right-handed swing at the plate with minimal swing-and-miss. Potthoff swung one of the cleaner, more polished left-handed bats we saw this winter, and is a name that could find himself as an offensive mainstay for this club at some point throughout his high school career.

NO. 5 TEUTOPOLIS

The Wooden Shoes, regardless of what classification they’ve played at, have a long history of winning. They made a run to the ‘Super Sixteen’ last spring despite playing in arguably the state’s hardest 2A sectional and have a club, under Head Coach Justin Fleener, that’ll look to make some more noise this upcoming season. 

CIF/RHP Mick Niebrugge (2025) should be viewed as one of the main all-around contributors for this club. As a junior, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound right-handed hitter slashed .374/.452/.560 with three home runs, 11 doubles, and he plated a team-high 36 runs. Expect him to be a stable run producer for T-Town’s offense, but there’s also room for him to impact on the mound, where he owns a mid-to-upper-80s fastball and power slider. 1B/RHP Andrew Probst (2025) and Dawson Hoene (2025) are two other seniors to keep an eye on.  

Two junior arms that were staples for this pitching staff as sophomores last spring are RHP Austin Borries (2026; Lindenwood) and RHP Gavin Addis (2026). Borries assumed the role of staff ace last spring and is a physical right-handed arm capable of shouldering that bulk workload again. He punched out 64 over a 49 ⅔ inning sample, walking just 14, with a 1.83 ERA. He’s a mid-to-upper-80s arm that can throw both of his secondaries, a slider and changeup, for strikes. Addis has a huge ceiling, as a long-limbed, athletic multi-sport athlete with a fast arm that struck out 41 batters and walked only six across his 34 ⅓ innings of work last spring. He was a low-to-mid-80s arm as a sophomore last season with a bullet slider that, if he’s ticked up at all since then, has the potential to be truly dynamic for T-Town this season. OF/LHP Davin Worman (2026) could also be a name that’s on the mound for the Wooden Shoes this spring, though he figures to be one of their main offensive threats as well, swinging a left-handed bat that’s flashed juice in the past. 

NO. 6 DUQUOIN 

This Indians’ group was really impressive last season, making it to their sectional semi-final and finishing with a 32-4 record. They’ll be without several key seniors from last year’s group, but the names that come back are talented and experienced, priming DuQuoin for another successful season in 2025. 

Jaden DeMarie (2025) returns after an impressive junior season in which he slashed .414/.535/.585 with 12 extra-base hits, 40 RBI, and he went 25-for-27 in stolen base attempts. Jayden Anders (2025) is another name that’s back, bringing with him a .337 batting average, 23 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. Two other seniors to keep an eye on are Luke Bauman (2025; Lewis & Clark CC) and Tilden Henderson (2025; Southeastern Illinois), both of whom are primed for big seasons in their final years of high school ball. 

Two more upperclassmen for DuQuoin that are known for their work on the mound are Dedrick Melvin (2025; Rend Lake College) and Layne Pyron (2026). Melvin, a senior, should be their No. 1 arm, fanning 61 batters while walking just 13 in 45 ⅓ innings last season with a 1.70 ERA. Pyron, who saw time as a starter and reliever, threw 25 ⅓ quality innings as a sophomore, striking out 29 with 13 walks. 

The Indians have two sophomores they expect to be big contributors this season in RHP/INF Cy Craft (2027) and INF/RHP Max Zimmerman (2027). Craft was a regular on the mound as a freshman, striking out 41 with 17 walks in 39 ⅓ innings, and he also saw some time at the plate, hitting .320 in a small sample. He’s widely regarded as one of the top arms in the state’s current sophomore class and is ready to elevate his game to another level this season. Zimmerman has a chance to slot in as a two-way impact right away, providing value at the plate, in the field, and on the mound, where he owns a low-80s fastball and feel for two different breaking balls. 

NO. 7 COLUMBIA

Head Coach Neal O’Donnell has done a phenomenal job at the helm of this program over the past couple of seasons, turning the Eagles into a perennial winner that made back-to-back trips two seasons ago. As is the case with every small school, Columbia will be without a handful of mainstays from last year, but this team also brings back a bunch of pieces from a 24-win team.

We’ll start with their lineup, a group that returns seven starters from last season and is mostly senior heavy. CIF Cash Bailey (2025; Mineral Area CC) enjoyed a breakout as a junior last spring, slashing .327/.407/.577 with seven home runs and a team high 28 RBI, striking out just nine times while also drawing nine walks. He has some of the loudest right-handed raw power in the area, reaching exit velocities in the low-100s in BP, and should be a staple in the middle of this lineup. INF Micah James (2025) is back as the Eagles’ shortstop and brings with him a .346 batting average, .442 OBP, and 17 stolen bases. UTL Mason Voegele (2025), OF Jack Schoentag (2025; Three Rivers CC), OF Sully Bonaldi (2025), and C Logan Bosch (2025) are four seniors that all had success last year, deepening this experienced lineup even more so. 

Columbia’s home to one of the top left-handed bats in Illinois, as 1B Brody Landgraf (2026; Creighton) has been a staple since his freshman year, where he played a key role in the Eagles consecutive trips to the state playoffs. Early injuries last season contributed to a slower start, but Landgraf had a stellar summer and there should be no reservations about his abilities to be one of this team’s main offensive producers. Packed with physicality in a hulking 6-foot-4 frame, Landgraf, who’s also one of the best players on a 26-win Eagles’ basketball team, swings a highly impactful left-handed barrel that blends notable raw strength with a feel to hit. 

The biggest challenge Columbia will face this spring is making up for the loss of innings on the mound, both in bulk and quality. Between Brady Mathews (2024; Jefferson JC), Lucas Riebeling (2024; Missouri S&T), and Logan Sabo (2024; Illinois College), the Eagles lost 129 ⅓ innings with an average ERA of 1.31, 165 strikeouts, and just 49 walks. Replicating that won’t be easy, but two seniors that should see an uptick in workload are RHP Sam Donald (2025) and RHP Brady Hemminghaus (2025), who both worked almost exclusively out of the ‘pen last season. Donald, who’s a 6-foot-8 power forward committed to play basketball at Division I Bellarmine, pitched to a 1.85 ERA in 22 ⅔ innings, walking just four with 17 strikeouts. Hemminghaus had similar success in a smaller sample, posting a 1.24 ERA in a 11 ⅓ inning sample, striking out 13. 

There are some youngsters that will look to make an impact for this year’s Columbia team. INF Jack Leitschuh (2027), OF/LHP Will Kleinschmidt (2027), OF/LHP Eli Simmons (2027), and INF/RHP Collin Augustine (2027) are four sophomores that could see varsity time this spring. The Eagles also have three talented freshmen arms that made waves this winter, and while it’s unknown if they’ll impact the varsity level this spring, are still two names to know: RHP/OF Connor Basinski (2028) and RHP Xavier Voegele (2028). Basinski has real athleticism on both sides of the ball, though his impact for this club as a freshman is likely on the mound, where he’s shown a low-to-mid-80s fastball, pairing it with a sharp, tight slider and fading changeup. Voegele has a fast arm on the mound with a long, lean-levered frame that’s able to throw both his fastball and breaking ball for strikes, and obvious bloodlines of high-level success on the mound. INF/RHP Ayden Sepich (2028) is another freshman that should see some time on the mound for Columbia early into the spring. 

NO. 8 BREESE CENTRAL

The Cougars are another 2A program in the state’s southern region with a consistent history of success, winning 20+ games in each of the last three seasons under Head Coach Ryan Meyer. Six position players and eight arms return from a strong group last season that will look to make a deeper run in 2025. 

One of Breese Central’s main all-around contributors is back, as Benny Lehman (2025) should be the heart of this team on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Lehman returns a .420/.488/.571 triple-slash with 10 extra-base hits, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and more walks (12) than punchouts (8). He saw plenty of success on the mound as well, pitching to a 1.63 ERA in a 30-inning sample, striking out 48 and walking just nine. Around him, the Cougars’ have several seniors who are back from last year’s team, like Easton Becker (2025), Dan Kohrmann (2025), Kaden Rakers (2025), Preston Baker (2025), and Blake Heimann (2025). Miles Browne (2026) is a junior to watch for this team that could see regular playing time behind the plate. 

Aside from Lehman, the Cougars do return one of their other top arms from last season in RHP Bryce Wieter (2026), who played in all 34 games for their 28-win basketball team, too. As a sophomore last spring, Wieter pitched to a 1.37 ERA in a team-high 41 innings of work, striking out 28 and walking 15. He attended our Winter Showcase a few weeks ago and put together one of the day’s more polished bullpens, spotting up his low-80s fastball for strikes while consistently throwing both of his secondaries (CB/CH) for strikes. Expect him to be a reliable anchor for this staff again, with both Beckers, and Carter Deien (2025) as three other arms to know. 

One other standout from our Winter Showcase that has the potential to really impact this club is RHP Alex Athmer (2027), a long-limbed, athletic sophomore that showed a low-to-mid-80s fastball with much more in the tank. Athmer was able to land a low-70s breaking ball for strikes in this look, and his changeup has the potential to be a separator, as he has feel for it down in the zone at 78-79 mph. 

NO. 9 ROUTT CATHOLIC

Routt Catholic has built themselves into a perennial contender in each of the past two seasons under Head Coach Ryan Turner. They finished with 33 wins and a third place finish in the 1A state playoffs last season and made a trip to Super-Sectionals the year prior before falling to eventual state champion Gibault Catholic. 

The Rockets have a strong upperclassmen group that should play a big role in what they’re trying to accomplish in 2025. LHP Brady Turner (2026) has all sorts of upside in a physical 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame that was one of their main arms last season, pitching to a 2.29 ERA in 49 innings, striking out 59 while walking 17. His fastball plays in the mid-80s, though that should likely climb as it gets warmer outside and he gets away from basketball season, and he spins a sharp breaking ball with big depth off it. RHP Brock Runyon (2025) is an uncommitted senior arm with a low-to-mid-80s fastball that will be one of their main arms this season, posting a 2.63 ERA over 32 innings of work last season. Another senior arm to watch is RHP/OF Eli Olson (2025), a North Central College football commit who punched out 56 with a 2.06 ERA across 34 frames last spring.

At the plate, look for Turner and Olson to be integral parts of this Rockets’ offense. The former hit .385 with 11 extra-base hits and drove in 41 runs, while the latter had 12 extra-base knocks to pair with a .358 batting average and 32 RBI. OF Jace Lautemann (2025), an uncommitted left-handed hitting senior, should be a top-of-the-lineup bat that returns a .303 batting average, and INF Dalton Brown (2026) is likely to slot in as their shortstop after seeing regular playing time in 2024. OF Talon Thompson (2027), OF Anson Butcher (2027), and LHP Henry Nattier (2028) are three underclassmen to keep an eye on for the Rockets this year. 

NO. 10 NASHVILLE

Nashville is a program that’s always been successful and has earned the right to be firmly considered one of the top teams in 2A on a perennial basis. Head Coach Chad Malawy’s group made it to their Sectional Championship and finished the year 30-4, their second consecutive season reaching the 30 win mark. 

INF Isaac Blazier (2025), C Samuel Kollbaum (2025), and OF Brance Luessenheide (2025) are three seniors to know on this roster. Blazier is a left-handed hitter that’s been on this club for each of the past two seasons and is ready to finish a strong high school career on a high note. Kollbaum was a key piece as the Hornets designated hitter, but he’ll move behind the plate now and provide veteran experience behind the dish. Luessenheide returns as a regular following a successful junior campaign that will also be a candidate to see innings on the mound. 

Look for RHP Lucas Dunn (2026) to be a key arm for the Hornets this past season after making a jump in stuff this winter. He’s a twitchy, athletic prospect with a fast arm that jumped his fastball into the mid-80s. Back after a strong freshman season is RHP/1B Kamden Emrick (2027), who shouldered a heavy workload in his first taste of varsity action in 2024. Emrick posted a 2.19 ERA with 59 strikeouts and just 16 walks over 57 ⅓ innings on the mound and should be one of Nashville’s top arms. 

JUST MISSED…

One team worth highlighting that just missed our top 10 preseason ranking is Roxana, who finished 22-10 and won a regional last season under Head Coach Jerry Wheaton. 

RHP/C Mason Crump (2026) had a stellar sophomore season as a true two-way contributor and will yet again be a huge piece to this Shells’ team. Crump allowed just seven runs (0.91 ERA) in a 53 ⅔ inning sample, striking out 74 in nine starts. He hit .300 with a .406 on-base percentage in 90 at-bats and is also reliable behind the plate with the ability to play third base if need be. A senior, OF Kael Hester (2025) returns as this team’s top bat from a year ago where he slashed .347/.426/.436. OF Caiden Davis (2025), INF Brady Jones (2025), OF Kadin Carlisle (2025), INF Lucas Hartman (2025), UTL Caleb Wonders (2025), and OF Sean Maberry (2026) are all upperclassmen that will look to take a jump after seeing time last spring.

Three senior arms that all threw more than 20 innings last season are back for more in their final year of high school ball: Landon Sitze (2025; Danville CC), Cooper Harris (2025), and Trevor Gihring (2025). Sitze made four starts, totaling 25 innings, with a 2.52 ERA. Harris fanned 30 batters in a 22 inning sample and Gihring threw 21 innings to a 3.67 ERA. 

A pair of juniors that should be mainstays for Roxana are C Max Autery (2026) and INF/RHP Dalton Carriker (2026). Autery is recovering from an injury, but is expected to be ready by the early season’s mark and is a strong right-handed bat that can provide value behind the plate as well. Carriker will be a two-way contributor that can really run and move around the infield with a low-to-mid-80s arm on the mound.