Crystal Lake South Aims for Another 20-Win Season

Life on the baseball field looks pretty good to senior Robbie Lemke. The Crystal Lake South center fielder blasted 6 homers and hit close to .350 for the Gators last season. He'll give college baseball a try only if it fits in with his interest in engineering.

A year ago, the Gators reached the regional title game before falling to Huntley.

"It is our goal to get back to that regional final again this year and to achieve 20 wins or more for the third year in a row,'' said Gators coach Brian Bogda.

Like every team in the area, pitching will determine the fate of this club. Of course, at South, there are pitchers from the past who are still hurling. Scott Olsen is still a Major Leaguer with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Under the Bogda regime, Ian Gardeck is pitching community college ball in Texas and may get drafted.

The latest Gator staff includes four-game winner Nick Martin. He also hit .309 in his sophomore season on the varsity. Brandon Seiser won a game last year as a junior and pitched to a sporty 2.21 ERA. Also slated to see mound work could be Zack Geib, Ryan Price, Eric Humpa, Christian Smith and Tyler Parquette.

Shortstop Chris Hauser can also pitch. He brings offense to the table following a season in which he hit .360 and scored 31 runs. Both Hauser and Lemke were All-Area players last year.

Look for southpaw-swinging Dom Winiecki behind the plate. And he's not a typical catcher. As a sophomore, he swiped 16 bases.

Michael McGrory is another catcher in the program.

"We have a good mix of seniors with experience and juniors and sophomores who will augment our line-up and depth,'' Bogda said. "The chemistry amongst the players is one of the best I have had in my years of coaching."

Outfielder  and left-handed hitting Chris Morrison is headed to the University of Dubuque next season. Price is making the transition from infield to outfield this season. He and infielder Jeremy DeJesus are being recruited by McHenry Community College.

Bogda is also high on some prospects in the program. Tyler Salm and Jordan Van Dyck are vying for the second base job as newcomers to the varsity team. Sophomore Max Meitzler is a candidate for the first base job. Also on this year's squad is Will Ahsmann, Jordan Ross and Jake Byron.

The Gators get a road trip on St. Patrick's Day. Thursday opens baseball season as Crystal Lake South travels to Rockford Boylan. Friday's home game is against Marengo.