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Who are the best high school baseball pitchers and hitters in the South Bend area?

justin frommer, south bend tribune
·6 min read

SOUTH BEND — The weather has finally turned for springs sports in the South Bend area, and just in time for the high school baseball postseason to get underway.

This season, baseball fans have been treated to some amazing pitching and hitting performances. The mound on local diamonds has been filled with strong arms this season, giving many Northern Indiana Conference and Northern Lakes Conference batters fits, while others have had their way with any pitcher they have faced.

► Top softball hitters:Check out the 14 best hitters in the South Bend area

► Top softball pitchers: Who are the best high school pitchers in the South Bend area? Here's a handful

Here's a look at the top hitters and pitchers this season:

Top Hitters

Joe Chrapliwy, Glenn

Chrapliwy is one of a handful of Glenn players that made the seamless transition from the basketball court to the diamond this spring, and immediately performed at a high level. Chrapliwy has been doing it both with the bat and his arm.

In his sophomore year, Chrapliwy is batting .614, which leads the Northern Indiana Conference. His 35 hits also lead the conference and his 26 RBI only trail two of his teammates, Colin Stephens and Brycen Hannah.

In three separate games, Chrapliwy recorded four RBI (against Oregon-Davis, South Bend Riley and East Noble)

Sam Garner, Jimtown

Jimtown's offense has caught fire in the final weeks of the regular season and a lot of that has to do with Garner's production. His .440 batting average ranks fifth in the NIC. His 33 hits only trail Chrapliwy's 35 and his 16 RBI rank in the top 20 in the conference. Garner's best stretch came in back-to-back outings against Bremen and NorthWood where he recorded three hits and two RBI in both games.

John Oliver, Mishawka Marian

Oliver is one of the best hitters on one of the South Bend area's youngest rosters. The sophomore's .426 batting average tops the Knights and ranks in the top 10 of the NIC. His 23 hits are five more than Marian's next best hitter, Chase Bays, and his 17 RBI is tied for the team lead. Oliver has also hit two home runs this year, one against New Prairie and another against Andrean.

Grady Kepplin, New Prairie

New Prairie’s Grady Kepplin celebrates a home run with his coach Mark Schellinger during the Marian vs. New Prairie sectional baseball game Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Jim Reinebold Field in South Bend.
New Prairie’s Grady Kepplin celebrates a home run with his coach Mark Schellinger during the Marian vs. New Prairie sectional baseball game Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Jim Reinebold Field in South Bend.

Kepplin has caught fire over the last couple of weeks, recording hits in five consecutive games. In that span the junior has 11 hits and 11 RBI. As a whole, Kepplin's .400 batting average ranks in the top 10 of the NIC. Kepplin has 18 total hits this year, including three homers (two against South Bend Clay and another against South Bend Riley).

Jayce Lee, South Bend Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph's Jayce Lee celebrates sliding into third during the Saint Joseph vs. Concord baseball game Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Concord High School.
Saint Joseph's Jayce Lee celebrates sliding into third during the Saint Joseph vs. Concord baseball game Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Concord High School.

One of South Bend's best all around players is proving why so many colleges are recruiting him as a sophomore. In his second varsity season, Lee has moved up into the three-hole of Saint Joseph's lineup and is batting like the Indians' most important piece. He's recorded 14 total hits, amassed a .400 batting average, added 17 RBI, two homers and been a menace on the base paths with 10 stolen bags.

Zach Hoskins, Penn

It is tough to single out one hitter within the NIC's most potent lineup. Cooper Hums has two home runs. Ben Gregory, last year's league MVP, and Zac Davies each have 21 RBI. But we will go with Zach Hoskins. Hoskins leads Penn with a .383 batting average. He has 18 hits and has scored a whopping 28 runs.

Gavin Collins, Northridge

Northridge once again has formed one of the most underrated squads in the area, and one that could give Penn a run in sectional play (at Penn). Collins has been the Northern Lakes Conference's best hitter all year. His .617 batting average far and away ranks above the rest of the conference (next closest at .448). His 37 hits also tops the NLC and his nine RBI ranks just outside the top 20. Collins has recorded hits in all but one of Northridge's games this year.

Top Pitchers

Brayden Schoetzow, Penn

Same with Penn's pitchers, it is tough to single out the one arm which led the Kingsmen to an NIC championship. Gregory, coming off of offseason surgery, only pitched 15 innings so far this season. Joe Trenerry has 39 strikeouts over 28 innings. But Brayden Schoetzow has been consistently dominant all season long.

Sporting a 6-0 record, Shoetzow has thrown 33 1/3 innings this year, leading to a 1.68 ERA and collected 47 strikeouts.

Jack Quinn, South Bend Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph's Jack Quinn warms up during the Saint Joseph vs. Concord baseball game Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Concord High School.
Saint Joseph's Jack Quinn warms up during the Saint Joseph vs. Concord baseball game Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Concord High School.

At the start of this season Quinn slotted into the ace role of Saint Joe's pitching staff. Quinn has started six games for the Indians, going as far as five innings in all but one. He's totaled 35 1/3 innings, allowing just 13 earned runs and striking out 36.

His most impressive appearance came in an eight-inning outing against Jimtown where he allowed five hits, only one earned run and struck out eight.

Austin Wittrock, South Bend Riley

Wittrock's deceptiveness has turned him into one of the area's most effective pitchers. Wittrock has made 14 appearances throughout Riley's season, totaling 28 2/3 innings pitched. In that span he has allowed 37 hits (12 appearances with five or less), 12 earned runs (eight scoreless outings) and 40 strikeouts. Wittrock's ERA also sits at 2.93 this season

Francisco Bibian, New Prairie

Bibian has found some late-season magic, leading New Prairie's pitching staff into the postseason. Bibian hasn't allowed an earned run since his April 15 appearance against Valparaiso. This year he has made seven total appearances totaling 27 innings, allowing 25 hits, only five earned runs all season and striking out 23 batters.

Colin Stephens, Glenn

John Glenn’s Colin Stephens pitches during the John Glenn vs. New Prairie baseball game Monday, May 10, 2021 at New Prairie High School.
John Glenn’s Colin Stephens pitches during the John Glenn vs. New Prairie baseball game Monday, May 10, 2021 at New Prairie High School.

Stephens has been a menace to any team he's pitched against. The senior has been a workhorse, totaling 33 innings in only six appearances. He's allowed 26 hits and nine earned runs (four against Jimtown and five against New Prairie). Everyone else he's shutout. Stephens has totaled 31 strikeouts, finishing with eight or more in three appearances, including a season-high 10 against South Bend Adams.

Zach Pedzinski, Concord

In his final season, Pedzinski has been one of the Northern Lakes Conference's best arms. The senior has thrown 27 innings, allowing 22 hits and 10 earned runs. Pedzinski has 30 strikeouts and a 2.59 ERA.

Skyler Aker, Plymouth

Aker, Plymouth's senior pitcher, has quietly put together a really strong season for the Pilgrims. In 26 innings pitched, Aker has a 2.15 ERA, striking out 25 batters. More impressively opponents are only batting .196 off him , having given up no more than three earned runs in any of his six appearances.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: These high school baseball hitters and pitchers have stood out this year