Rebuilding at Central? Baseball Team Will be Ready

Since rebuilding is a dirty word at Grayslake Central, let's go with it should be another fun season for the Rams baseball team.

And there is more good news. The IHSA has awarded the Rams a sectional. And naturally, Central wants to play in its own sectional.

"We have a lot of talented kids,'' said Central baseball coach Troy Whalen. "But this year has made for more competitive practices. You can see them getting after it at practice."

Did every player from last year's 30-game winner graduate? Not quite but a good number did.

One familiar face will be returning shortstop Austin Miller. Next year he'll play at Butler University. As a junior, he hit a crisp .344 with 5 homers and 31 RBIs.

"He saw a lot of fastballs last year,'' Whalen said. "And that clearly won't be the case this year."

Like most all baseball teams, Central's fortunes will be determined by the pitching staff.

Southpaw Mark Gawinski was undefeated in three decisions, including a key win over Prairie Ridge. His ERA was a solid 2.10.

"He's a sneaky lefty,'' Whalen said.

Austin Leggett also won three games for the Rams last year. He added two saves as well. He has attracted the attention of a few colleges including Northern Illinois University.

"He's a mid-80s guy,'' he said. "He's also got a lot of pop in this bat."

Also on the Central pitching staff could be Mark Ash and Andrew Formica.

For three years, big Angelo Gargano held down the first base job at Central. Formica is one candidate to replace Gargano.

Derek Idstein saw time at second base a year ago. He, too, is getting some looks from Illinois Wesleyan and Lewis University. In action last year, he hit. 310 with a homer and 12 RBIs.

That third base job could be handled by both Ash and Ryan Hamrick.

The Central outfield will get help from Leggett and Cam Neely. The new center fielder throws left-handed and bats right-handed. He is junior Nick Hosford. He's the younger brother of former Central second baseman Andrew Hosford.

Both catching prospects are capable hitters. Joe Bleuer and Kristian Meehan will both see time.

On March 26, the Rams will say long to Illinois. It's the annual spring trip to Disney World. Four varsity and four JV games are on tap. A highlight will be a game on the spring home field of the Atlanta Braves.

The regular season kicks off on March 22 with Richmond-Burton.

"Our schedule will be  a challenge for us,'' Whalen said. "We will get some early tests."