You can never have enough pitchers,” said OPRF head baseball coach Chris Ledbetter, who begins the season with a little over half a dozen hurlers ready to take the mound at any give moment. “Depth at this position is such an advantage.”
Senior ace Will Polley returns to head up the bevy of pitchers. The right-hander, who has already played two seasons at the varsity level, went 7-2 last season with an ERA of 3.05. He’s likely to take the mound at the backend of a league series as the Huskies try to unseat Lyons Township from the top spot in the West Suburban (Silver) Conference. After OPRF grabbed three straight conference titles, Lyons edged out the Huskies last season.
Nick Kowalczuk, who as a freshman last season, helped the Huskies procure a 26-11-1 record, also returns. Ledbetter also has a slew of juniors in Zack Weigel, Mike Brennan, Joe McKune and Max Guzzetta at his disposal. Both Weigel and Guzzetta are lefties.
“It really takes the pressure off everyone having this many pitchers,” said Ledbetter, who added that senior PJ Brennan will also see time on the mound. “All throw in the mid 80 (mph) range, and they all have really good stuff. It makes my job a little easier, knowing I have several quality pitchers to call upon.”
The Huskies will again be strong up middle. Two-year starter Jack Picchiotti (10 HRs last season) returns at catcher, while Ryan Kurtzer reprises his role at second base and Tim Sutton at shortstop. Weigel, who was brought up last season for the playoffs will play centerfield when not pitching.
Alec Jeffries moves from left to third base this season. As a junior last season, Jeffries finished with seven homers. He and Jack Picchiotti drove in 35 runs apiece. Jeffries is mulling over whether to sign with UIC.
Seniors Frankie Picchiotti and Mike Brennan are also expected to play major roles this season, as is 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior Matt McCormack.
After the Huskies open the season at home Friday (4:30 p.m.) and travel to Evanston for a doubleheader on Saturday, they’ll jet-set south to Florida for the Hall of Fame Spring Classic in Fort Lauderdale, a trip that will be the first of its kind for the program.
“Ever since the IHSA lifted the 300-mile restriction, we have been trying to plan a trip like this. Last year, we went down to St. Louis and played in a tournament and it was a lot of fun and we had success,” said Ledbetter. “With the help of the Booster Club we were able to put together this trip this season, and we’re looking forward to it.”
The Huskies will spend Monday through Saturday in the sunshine state, playing five games against teams from South Carolina and Florida.
“Without the Booster Club we would not have been able to do this,” said Ledbetter. “It’s an opportunity for us to get some games in because we’re expected to have good weather. Around here, it’s so unpredictable. The schedule is already short to begin with.”
The team returns home on April 4 to open conference play against York.