Michael Osipoff’s top 10 baseball teams and 25 players to watch in Northwest Indiana for the 2023 season

1. Lake Central (25-6): Per ordinary, the Indians have tons of expertise up and down their roster, in addition to excessive expectations. The Division I infield trio of senior second baseman Josh Adamczewski (Ball State), senior shortstop Hunter Snyder (Columbia) and junior third baseman/pitcher Griffin Tobias (Indiana) returns. Senior catcher Matt Santana (Wabash Valley) is also again. Junior Blake Sivak figures to be a key a part of a pitching workers that “has expertise however is a bit unproven,” coach Mike Swartzentruber stated. Additionally they added senior infielder/pitcher Luka Romic, a switch from Mount Carmel.

2. Andrean (31-4): After profitable the Class 3A state title for his or her eighth general — tied for each probably the most by a coach and a program — Dave Pishkur and the 59ers will look so as to add to their {hardware}. Sophomore shortstop/pitcher Mason Barth, a Notre Dame commit, headlines the group. Senior second baseman Noah Chase, junior proper fielder Moises Vazquez and senior infielder/outfielder Caleb Smith additionally return. Senior right-hander Garrett Benko (St. Xavier) ought to tackle an even bigger function after he was their No. 3 pitcher final season. They added senior first baseman/pitcher James Kirk, a switch from Washington Township. They’ve 11 seniors dedicated to play in school, and Pishkur stated the sophomores are their “most proficient class.”

3. Munster (21-5): In his second season in cost, Mike Mikolajczyk stated he’s “excited in regards to the make-up of our group.” Senior second baseman Kevin Corridor (Grambling State) leads the best way. Senior outfielder Denham Kozy is also again, together with senior catcher Brett Adams and junior catcher/outfielder Bryce Gelarden. Junior pitcher/infielder Tyler Blair initiatives to high the Mustangs’ workers. Junior Joey Campagna additionally must be certainly one of their essential arms.

4. Illiana Christian (22-7): The Vikings received their first sectional title and didn’t cease, rolling to the Class 2A state championship. They’ve the stuff to do it once more. Senior pitcher/outfielder Kevin Corcoran starred all through their title run. Junior shortstop Isaac VanderWoude (Virginia) and sophomore nook infielder/pitcher Gavin Meyer (Ohio State) already are high-level commits. Junior catcher Aaron Gouwens and senior first baseman/pitcher Cody DeJong are also again. They added sophomore catcher Gabe Soto, a switch from Lake Central, and freshmen equivalent to pitcher/outfielders Tanner Put up and Spencer Bandstra might contribute.

5. Valparaiso (18-7): Sophomore pitcher Caden Crowell (Louisville) made a serious influence in his debut and may proceed to develop. Senior pitcher/outfielder Ian Wilson, senior outfielder/catcher Miles Cvelbar and junior third baseman Andres Guzman additionally return.

6. LaPorte (24-4): The Slicers function senior RJ Anglin as their No. 1 starter. Senior second baseman Kade Flores; senior first baseman Tommy Samuelson, who might pitch; and junior Carter Moses, in his third season beginning at catcher, are also again. Coach Scott Upp stated sophomore Keli Hay, who got here on on the finish of final season, will begin in proper subject and in addition might do some catching.

7. Crown Level (18-12): Coach Steve Strayer stated the Bulldogs “will rebuild” after graduating a number of key gamers. Senior first baseman Blake Sabau and senior shortstop Luke Burford are amongst their returnees. Senior pitcher/outfielder Ryan Radanovich, senior pitcher/first baseman Blake Newell and senior heart fielder JJ Johnson are also again.

8. Hanover Central (19-8): Former assistant Sal Aguilar succeeds Ryan Bridges as coach. Senior heart fielder Gannan Howes and senior pitcher/shortstop Zach Zychowski began for the Wildcats’ Class 3A state runner-up group in 2021. Additionally they will look to senior Tony Bartolomeo Jr. for management. Expectations are excessive for freshman shortstop Dylan Bowen.

9. Chesterton (11-15): It might be a pleasant season for the Trojans below longtime coach Jack Campbell. They return 5 beginning place gamers and three pitchers with appreciable expertise, led by senior ace Sean Kasper (Purdue Fort Wayne), who additionally performs heart subject. Sophomore third baseman Kaden Hawksworth, junior shortstop Brayden Barrett, junior second baseman Greg Guernsey and senior catcher Nate Lambert are also again.

10. Highland (16-9): Trojans coach John Bogner stated he has “an excellent group of youngsters who work onerous” Senior pitcher/infielder Tyler Stewart leads the group. Additionally again are senior pitcher/outfielder Joshua Modjeski, senior pitcher/outfielder Aleksander Havlin, senior pitcher/outfielder Sean Tougher, senior pitcher/outfielder Chase Schwandt, junior catcher Ryan Gordon and junior pitcher/infielder Jason Bogner.

Josh Adamczewski, Lake Central, senior, second baseman; Jevan Andrews, Hobart, junior, outfielder; RJ Anglin, LaPorte, senior, pitcher; Mason Barth, Andrean, sophomore, shortstop/pitcher; Tyler Blair, Munster, junior, pitcher/infielder; Kevin Corcoran, Illiana Christian, senior, pitcher/outfielder; Caden Crowell, Valparaiso, sophomore, pitcher/first baseman/outfielder; Cody DeJong, Illiana Christian, senior, first baseman/pitcher; Kade Flores, LaPorte, senior, second baseman; Cam Gonzalez, Hobart, senior, pitcher/outfielder; Kevin Corridor, Munster, senior, second baseman; Gannan Howes, Hanover Central, senior, outfielder; Sean Kasper, Chesterton, senior, pitcher; James Kirk, Andrean, senior, first baseman/pitcher; Denham Kozy, Munster, senior, outfielder; Gavin Meyer, Illiana Christian, sophomore, infielder/pitcher; Trey Pitcock, Boone Grove, senior, center infielder; Blake Sabau, Crown Level, senior, first baseman; Matt Santana, Lake Central, senior, catcher; Blake Sivak, Lake Central, junior, pitcher; Hunter Snyder, Lake Central, senior, shortstop; Tyler Stewart, Highland, senior, pitcher/infielder; Griffin Tobias, Lake Central, junior, third baseman; Isaac VanderWoude, Illiana Christian, junior, shortstop; Zach Zychowski, Hanover Central, senior, pitcher/shortstop.