Introducing the 2025 News-Sun Baseball All-Area Team
Five players from Class 4A state champion Libertyville highlight the first and second teams, which also include three players each from Antioch, Lake Zurich and Mundelein.
Ryne Dzierzynski, Grant, senior, shortstop/pitcher: Batted .387 with .500 on-base percentage, 1.102 OPS, three home runs, 24 RBIs, 30 runs scored, 17 walks and six strikeouts. Also went 6-0 with 1.96 ERA, 56 strikeouts and eight walks in 55 innings. All-conference. Committed to Wisconsin-Parkside.
Caden Earing, Mundelein, senior, first baseman: Batted .433 with .545 on-base percentage, 1.295 OPS, program-record 18 doubles, three home runs, 31 RBIs, 33 runs scored and 10 steals. All-conference and Class 4A all-state honorable mention. Committed to Saint Louis.
Ryan Fostiak, Wauconda, senior, outfielder: Batted .443 with .514 on-base percentage, 1.227 OPS and 24 extra-base hits. All-conference and 3A all-state first team. Committed to Illinois Tech.
Joshua Holst, Libertyville, senior, pitcher/first baseman: Went 13-0 with 1.34 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 118 strikeouts and 25 walks in 73 1/3 innings for 4A state champion. Also hit .361 with five home runs and 44 RBIs. Conference pitcher of the year and 4A all-state first team. Committed to Air Force.
Cash Kaczmarek, Lake Zurich, senior, first baseman: Batted .417 with .500 on-base percentage, 1.196 OPS, five home runs, 37 RBIs and 42 runs scored for 4A sectional finalist. All-conference and 4A all-state honorable mention. Committed to Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Owen Klosinski, Lakes, senior, outfielder: Batted .471 with .532 on-base percentage, 1.208 OPS, 18 RBIs and 30 runs scored. All-conference and 3A all-state. Committed to Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Chase Lockwood, Libertyville, junior, pitcher: Went 10-0 with 0.82 ERA, 64 strikeouts and 14 walks in 59 2/3 innings for 4A state champion. All-conference and 4A all-state.
Cole Lockwood, Libertyville, senior, shortstop: Batted .421 with three home runs, 16 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 38 steals in 40 attempts for 4A state champion. All-conference and 4A all-state. Committed to Valparaiso.
Quinn Schambow, Libertyville, senior, catcher: Batted .449 with 18 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 47 RBIs and 32 runs scored for 4A state champion. Conference player of the year and 4A all-state. Committed to Oklahoma State.
Evan Schmidt, Antioch, senior, first baseman: Batted .446 with .513 on-base percentage, 1.275 OPS, 17 doubles, five home runs, 30 RBIs, 29 runs scored and 10 steals. Conference player of the year. Committed to Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Baris Brua, Mundelein, senior, pitcher: Went 5-3 with 1.40 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 54 innings. All-conference. Committed to Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Colin Chung, Lake Zurich, junior, pitcher/second baseman: Went 4-4 with 1.45 ERA, 61 strikeouts and 21 walks in 48 1/3 innings for 4A sectional finalist.
Cal Hanson, Grayslake Central, senior, first baseman/pitcher: Batted .395 with 13 doubles and 32 RBIs. Also went 4-3 with 1.40 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 39 innings. All-conference. Committed to Parkland.
Carson Holmes, Libertyville, junior, outfielder: Batted .419 with .536 on-base percentage, 1.252 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBIs and 17 runs scored for 4A state champion. All-conference.
Joey Kafka, Mundelein, senior, pitcher: Went 5-1 with 1.50 ERA, 54 strikeouts and 10 walks in 41 2/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Valparaiso.
Ben Lichtenfeld, Highland Park, senior, pitcher/infielder: Went 7-2 with 2.86 ERA in 49 innings. Also hit .378 with 20 RBIs and 12 steals. Conference player of the year.
Josh Marzec, Lake Zurich, senior, pitcher: Went 8-2 with 2.42 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings for 4A sectional finalist. All-conference. Committed to McHenry County College.
Javier Rolon, Round Lake, senior, shortstop: Batted .393 with .494 on-base percentage, 1.297 OPS, six triples, four home runs and 12 steals. All-conference. Committed to College of Lake County.
Nathan Yeager, Antioch, senior, outfielder: Batted .466 with .593 on-base percentage, 1.218 OPS, 44 runs scored, 24 walks and 23 steals. All-conference. Committed to College of Lake County.
Carson Young, Antioch, senior, pitcher: Went 8-1 with 1.94 ERA, 72 strikeouts and 27 walks in 54 innings. All-conference. Committed to Bethel University.
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Chicago Tribune
16 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Introducing the 2025 Post-Tribune Baseball All-Area Team
Three players from Crown Point and three players from Boone Grove highlight the first team. Alex Barr, Kankakee Valley, senior, pitcher: Went 3-2 with 0.57 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings. Also hit .452 with five home runs, 25 RBIs and 19 runs scored. North All-Star, conference pitcher of the year. Committed to Indiana. Mason Barth, Andrean, senior, shortstop: Batted .505 with three home runs, 27 RBIs, 51 runs scored and 44 steals for Class 3A state champion and Northwest Crossroads Conference champion. Also went 5-0 with title-clinching save, 1.50 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 28 innings. North All-Star, conference offensive player of the year. Committed to Notre Dame. Dylan Bowen, Hanover Central, junior, shortstop: Batted .390 with five home runs, 26 RBIs and 34 runs scored. All-conference. Committed to Oklahoma State. Braden Branigan, Andrean, senior, pitcher: Went 7-0 with 0.62 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings for 3A state champion and NCC champion. All-conference. Committed to Lindenwood. Davian Carrera, Boone Grove, senior, first baseman: Batted .466 with 47 RBIs, 35 runs scored and 11 steals for 2A state champion and Porter County Conference round-robin and tournament champion. All-conference. Committed to Indiana. Xavier Carrera, Boone Grove, senior, shortstop/pitcher: Batted .436 with four home runs, 42 RBIs, 34 runs scored and 10 steals for 2A state champion and PCC round-robin and tournament champion. Also went 6-3 with 2.28 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Indiana. Linus Chariton, Crown Point, senior, pitcher: Went 8-0 with 0.62 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 45 innings for 4A sectional champion and Duneland Athletic Conference co-champion. All-conference. Committed to Olive Harvey. Billy Chidsey, Crown Point, senior, shortstop: Batted .487 with one home run, 28 RBIs, 31 runs scored and 17 steals for 4A sectional champion and DAC co-champion. North All-Star, conference most valuable position player. Committed to Purdue Northwest. Caden Crowell, Valparaiso, senior, pitcher/first baseman: Went 9-0 with 0.25 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 55 innings for 4A state champion. Also hit .375 with three home runs, 24 RBIs and 32 runs scored. North All-Star, conference most valuable pitcher. Committed to Notre Dame. Sean Dunlap, Crown Point, junior, catcher/outfielder: Batted .429 with six home runs, 35 RBIs, 36 runs scored and 15 steals for 4A sectional champion and DAC co-champion. All-conference. Committed to Tennessee. Billy Miller, Kouts, freshman, pitcher/shortstop: Went 8-1 with 0.61 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 57 innings for 1A state runner-up. Also hit .514 with five home runs, 45 RBIs, 54 runs scored and 20 steals. All-conference. Seth Pitcock, Boone Grove, senior, pitcher/shortstop: Went 9-1 with 0.74 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 66 innings for 2A state champion and PCC round-robin and tournament champion. Also hit .484 with two home runs, 29 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 33 steals. North All-Star, conference MVP. Committed to Valparaiso. Troy Barrett, Chesterton, junior, pitcher/outfielder: Went 7-1 with 1.11 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings. Also hit .368 with 20 RBIs and 30 runs scored. All-conference. Gabe Bush, Valparaiso, senior, outfielder: Batted .352 with 17 RBIs, 33 runs scored and 27 steals for 4A state champion. All-conference. Committed to Purdue Northwest. Matt Cook, Hanover Central, junior, pitcher: Went 3-3 with 2.16 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Evansville. Logan Cotton, Crown Point, senior, pitcher: Went 8-2 with 1.59 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 53 innings for 4A sectional champion and DAC co-champion. All-conference. Committed to Indiana. Trevor Fenters, Valparaiso, senior, infielder/pitcher: Batted .373 with one home run, 28 RBIs and 27 runs scored for 4A state champion. Also went 6-1 with 0.77 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Indiana State. Josh Flores, Lake Central, senior, pitcher: Went 7-1 with 2.76 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 38 innings for DAC co-champion. North All-Star, all-conference. Committed to Kentucky. Mason Jarrett, Munster, senior, outfielder: Batted .398 with 36 RBIs, 34 runs scored and 14 steals. All-conference. Committed to Triton. Drew Kosteba, Lake Central, senior, outfielder: Batted .404 with three home runs, 38 RBIs, 28 runs scored and 12 steals for DAC co-champion. North All-Star, all-conference. Committed to Purdue Northwest. Blake Kouder, Andrean, senior, catcher: Batted .386 with 20 RBIs and 34 runs scored for 3A state champion and NCC champion. All-conference. DJ Malloy, Valparaiso, junior, second baseman: Batted .408 with 22 RBIs and 17 runs scored for 4A state champion. All-conference. Ivan Mastalski, Andrean, senior, pitcher: Went 7-0 with 1.69 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings for 3A state champion and NCC champion. Committed to Indiana. Caiden Verrett, Hanover Central, senior, catcher: Batted .395 with three home runs, 17 RBIs, 33 runs scored and 19 steals. North All-Star. Indianapolis recruit in baseball and football.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Introducing the 2025 News-Sun Baseball All-Area Team
Five players from Class 4A state champion Libertyville highlight the first and second teams, which also include three players each from Antioch, Lake Zurich and Mundelein. Ryne Dzierzynski, Grant, senior, shortstop/pitcher: Batted .387 with .500 on-base percentage, 1.102 OPS, three home runs, 24 RBIs, 30 runs scored, 17 walks and six strikeouts. Also went 6-0 with 1.96 ERA, 56 strikeouts and eight walks in 55 innings. All-conference. Committed to Wisconsin-Parkside. Caden Earing, Mundelein, senior, first baseman: Batted .433 with .545 on-base percentage, 1.295 OPS, program-record 18 doubles, three home runs, 31 RBIs, 33 runs scored and 10 steals. All-conference and Class 4A all-state honorable mention. Committed to Saint Louis. Ryan Fostiak, Wauconda, senior, outfielder: Batted .443 with .514 on-base percentage, 1.227 OPS and 24 extra-base hits. All-conference and 3A all-state first team. Committed to Illinois Tech. Joshua Holst, Libertyville, senior, pitcher/first baseman: Went 13-0 with 1.34 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 118 strikeouts and 25 walks in 73 1/3 innings for 4A state champion. Also hit .361 with five home runs and 44 RBIs. Conference pitcher of the year and 4A all-state first team. Committed to Air Force. Cash Kaczmarek, Lake Zurich, senior, first baseman: Batted .417 with .500 on-base percentage, 1.196 OPS, five home runs, 37 RBIs and 42 runs scored for 4A sectional finalist. All-conference and 4A all-state honorable mention. Committed to Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Owen Klosinski, Lakes, senior, outfielder: Batted .471 with .532 on-base percentage, 1.208 OPS, 18 RBIs and 30 runs scored. All-conference and 3A all-state. Committed to Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Chase Lockwood, Libertyville, junior, pitcher: Went 10-0 with 0.82 ERA, 64 strikeouts and 14 walks in 59 2/3 innings for 4A state champion. All-conference and 4A all-state. Cole Lockwood, Libertyville, senior, shortstop: Batted .421 with three home runs, 16 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 38 steals in 40 attempts for 4A state champion. All-conference and 4A all-state. Committed to Valparaiso. Quinn Schambow, Libertyville, senior, catcher: Batted .449 with 18 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 47 RBIs and 32 runs scored for 4A state champion. Conference player of the year and 4A all-state. Committed to Oklahoma State. Evan Schmidt, Antioch, senior, first baseman: Batted .446 with .513 on-base percentage, 1.275 OPS, 17 doubles, five home runs, 30 RBIs, 29 runs scored and 10 steals. Conference player of the year. Committed to Wisconsin-La Crosse. Baris Brua, Mundelein, senior, pitcher: Went 5-3 with 1.40 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 54 innings. All-conference. Committed to Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Colin Chung, Lake Zurich, junior, pitcher/second baseman: Went 4-4 with 1.45 ERA, 61 strikeouts and 21 walks in 48 1/3 innings for 4A sectional finalist. Cal Hanson, Grayslake Central, senior, first baseman/pitcher: Batted .395 with 13 doubles and 32 RBIs. Also went 4-3 with 1.40 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 39 innings. All-conference. Committed to Parkland. Carson Holmes, Libertyville, junior, outfielder: Batted .419 with .536 on-base percentage, 1.252 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBIs and 17 runs scored for 4A state champion. All-conference. Joey Kafka, Mundelein, senior, pitcher: Went 5-1 with 1.50 ERA, 54 strikeouts and 10 walks in 41 2/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Valparaiso. Ben Lichtenfeld, Highland Park, senior, pitcher/infielder: Went 7-2 with 2.86 ERA in 49 innings. Also hit .378 with 20 RBIs and 12 steals. Conference player of the year. Josh Marzec, Lake Zurich, senior, pitcher: Went 8-2 with 2.42 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings for 4A sectional finalist. All-conference. Committed to McHenry County College. Javier Rolon, Round Lake, senior, shortstop: Batted .393 with .494 on-base percentage, 1.297 OPS, six triples, four home runs and 12 steals. All-conference. Committed to College of Lake County. Nathan Yeager, Antioch, senior, outfielder: Batted .466 with .593 on-base percentage, 1.218 OPS, 44 runs scored, 24 walks and 23 steals. All-conference. Committed to College of Lake County. Carson Young, Antioch, senior, pitcher: Went 8-1 with 1.94 ERA, 72 strikeouts and 27 walks in 54 innings. All-conference. Committed to Bethel University.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
‘Stressful' Air Force admission process doesn't stop Joshua Holst, the 2025 News-Sun Baseball Player of the Year
Joshua Holst's victory lap was short-lived, but for good reason. Yes, he cherishes the Class 4A state championship that he and his Libertyville teammates won on June 14, and he enjoyed the celebratory pep rally on Saturday as much as anyone. But Holst has already embarked on the next chapter of his life. He flew to Colorado Springs, Colorado, this week, not for baseball workouts with his new team, but for the rigorous weekslong basic cadet training at the U.S. Air Force Academy. 'It's combining two things that I love,' he said. 'I love my country, and I love baseball, so I might as well combine both. 'A lot of what I'll encounter won't be easy, but I know I have the determination to get through it. A lot of people wish they had this opportunity, and I plan to take full advantage of it.' Holst, the 2025 News-Sun Baseball Player of the Year, certainly knows how to seize the moment. To complete a season in which he didn't lose a start, the senior left-hander allowed one run on two hits and drove in three runs as the Wildcats defeated McHenry 4-1 in the Class 4A state championship game. For the season, Holst went 13-0, setting a program record for wins, with a 1.34 ERA, a 0.79 WHIP, 118 strikeouts and 25 walks in 73 1/3 innings. He also hit .361 with 14 doubles, a team-high five home runs and 43 RBIs. 'He's not going to back down from anybody, and he gives everything he has every time he plays,' Libertyville coach Matt Thompson said. 'Obviously, his stuff is good. You can have good stuff, and you can live in the bullpen or in a pitching lesson in the winter. But he's going to be the guy you want on the mound when the chips are on the table and the pressure is on.' Air Force coach Mike Kazlausky, a Grant graduate who enjoys recruiting local student-athletes, also sees traits in Holst that the academy values. 'I'm excited for the fact that he's accepted a challenge to be different,' Kazlausky said. 'Americans want the best of the best to be trained here.' At Grant, Kazlausky played for his father, Fritz, who is a member of both the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Mike Kazlausky has been the coach at Air Force, his alma mater, since 2011 and emphasized that winning isn't the only priority there. 'I'm proud for him that he had such a great year, but we have higher expectations than just baseball,' Kazlausky said. 'Yes, we want to win. But he'll also learn about service and character and be pushed to fail, which will lead to him being the best possible version of himself with a remarkable outcome. He's on America's team now.' That opportunity might not have arisen had Holst not posted on his Perfect Game profile that he's interested in aviation. A couple of weeks after the initial contact period opened Aug. 1, 2023, he received a call from Kazlausky. 'My grandfather was an Air Force pilot, and I also have an aunt who was in the Air Force, but I hadn't really ever considered the military,' Holst said. 'I knew that I didn't want a normal job when I grew up and wanted to become a pilot. A month later, I had committed.' But Holst's admission process wasn't so straightforward. A test detected he had hearing loss in one ear, which didn't meet the academy's physical standards. Holst had a minor surgical procedure to address the impairment, and tubes were placed in his ears, a step the academy didn't approve. The tubes were subsequently removed, but by that time a waiver to allow Holst's admission had been denied, essentially disqualifying him from enrolling. So he decommitted earlier this year. 'We filed an appeal, but coach said he didn't have any idea how long the appeal process would take,' Holst said. 'So he said it would be in my best interest to open up my recruitment. I heard from some bigger schools that liked where I was at talent-wise, which was good to hear. But right after spring break, it got approved. It was definitely a stressful time.' Not that anyone would have noticed based on Holst's on-field performance. A mainstay in Libertyville's rotation for three years, he was virtually unhittable this season, and his accolades included 4A all-state first-team recognition. Quinn Schambow, an Oklahoma State recruit who caught Holst for years, had the utmost confidence in him. 'I know when someone has it on the mound and when someone doesn't, and he does,' Schambow said. 'Every time he steps on that mound, it's lights out.' Holst knows a new challenge awaits. 'Before every inning, I tell myself I'm the best and that no one is going to hit me,' he said. 'I'm going to attack every hitter. When you pitch with confidence, it makes you that much more effective. 'Starting school, there's definitely some nervousness, but I'll attack it to the best of my ability.'
