Prep Baseball & Softball

Comparing the contenders: Highland vs. Nazareth Academy

The Highland baseball team celebrates their 13-0 five-inning victory over Morgan Park in the IHSA Class 3A semifinals in 2015. The Bulldogs went on to capture the state crown and was among the program’s alumni and teams honored the weekend of Aug. 7 at Glik Park in Highland.
The Highland baseball team celebrates their 13-0 five-inning victory over Morgan Park in the IHSA Class 3A semifinals in 2015. The Bulldogs went on to capture the state crown and was among the program’s alumni and teams honored the weekend of Aug. 7 at Glik Park in Highland. BND file photo

HIGHLAND

Record: 27-13

Coach: Joel Hawkins (24 years, 537-284)

Top hitters: Andrew Winning (.400, 9 2B, HR, 22 RBI); Grant Geppert (.378, 5 2B, 29 RBI, 34 runs); Cody Bentlage (.348, 3 3B, 21 RBI, 32 runs); Will Greenwald (.325, 4 2B, 33 runs)

Top pitchers: Grant Geppert (74 IP, 8-3, 1.89 ERA, 74 K, 35 BB); Tyler Kimmle (56 IP, 6-2, 3.13 ERA, 51 K); Pete Baumgartner (33 IP, 2-3, 1.59 ERA, 46 K)

Last season: Lost in regional semifinal

State history: Lost state quarterfinal, did not place, in 1958; State champions in 2008

NAZARETH ACADEMY (LAGRANGE PARK)

Record: 32-8

Coach: Lee Milano (16 years, 384-199-1)

Top hitters: Ryan Kramer (.455, 10 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 29 runs); Shane Gipson (.333, 7 2B, 6 HR, 25 RBI); Matt Flach (.398, 11 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 34 runs); Brandon Bossard (.410, 11 2B, HR, 22 RBI, 31 runs); Carson Bartels (.357, 17 2B, 31 RBI, 33 runs)

Top pitchers: Donald Kelly (55 IP, 8-2, 1.53 ERA, 73 K); Carson Bartels (49 IP, 4-3, 2.14 ERA, 39 K); Matt Wilson (32.2 IP, 7-0, 1.71 ERA, 32 K)

Last season: Lost in sectional semifinal

State history: Placed fourth in 2011; Placed third in 2012

This story was originally published June 12, 2015 at 9:28 PM with the headline "Comparing the contenders: Highland vs. Nazareth Academy."

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