Oak Park and River Forest head baseball coach Chris Ledbetter wouldn’t mind starting this season the way last year’s team ended its 2006-07 campaign-with a 20-game win-streak.
Ledbetter has reason to be optimistic things will go favorably for his Huskies early on this season. Most of the starters from last season’s 30-10 team return, including pitcher Drew Golz, a lefty who finished 9-1 with an ERA of 2.01 last year. OPRF ended its win-streak and the season with a loss to New Trier in the super-sectional, which was Golz’s only loss on the year.
“Drew brings so much to this ballclub,” said Ledbetter of his senior hurler, who has signed to play at Air Force next year. “His velocity has been up around the 83-84-mph mark and he had a real good summer. We’re expecting him to do the bulk of the pitching for us this year.”
Ledbetter has some depth on the mound this season with 6-foot-4-inch, 225-pound right-hander Scott Rasley and NIU-bound Kyle Glancy, who tossed a no-hitter last year. The bullpen is expected to consist of Ryan Dennehy, Vince Luchesse and Noah Styer.
It’s OPRF’s offense that will likely be the backbone of this squad. Key sluggers returning include Mark Bernthal (.350 batting average, third base), Sam Picchiotti (.315, second base), Jo Jo Maldonado (5 homers, 28 RBIs, shortstop) and Joe Kelty, who moves from the designated hitter position to first base this season.
Other big hitters returning from last year include Mike Michon, Max Edwards, Dan Jarvis, and Mike McFolling. Jarvis and McFolling, who is returning to the team after a hip flexor and wrist injury last season, will share time behind the plate.
Newcomers who may see significant playing time include Zack Barnett, Ryan Mullen, Eliot Stoller, Bryan Bakker, and Andy Brashler.
The Huskies are likely to battle Lyons Township again for the top spot in the West Suburban (Silver) Conference. The two teams took home a share of the title last season with matching 11-5 records.
OPRF has already experienced a setback this season. Ledbetter and his staff were forced to address team rule violations, which resulted in game suspensions for four players, including three starters. Ledbetter said the suspensions vary from two, four and eight games for certain players and will be served in the season’s opening games.
The Huskies are scheduled to host Glenbard East Thursday (4:30 p.m.) and Glenbard West Saturday for a doubleheader (10 a.m.). They’ll take on Lyons Township on May 6 at Hawkinson Ford Field in Crestwood.