The Week 9 Teams of the Week
This week, three baseball programs—Hudson Valley, Northampton, and Kankakee—delivered jaw-dropping performances, combining for a 17-0 record while dismantling top-ranked opponents and showcasing elite offense and pitching. Here’s a breakdown of their historic weeks:
Hudson Valley Vikings (6-0)
Dominance Defined: The Vikings outscored opponents 68-15, including two statement wins over #6 Northern Essex. Their offense exploded for a 1.418 OPS, while pitchers posted a 1.333 ERA and 0.809 WHIP.
Key Highlights:
Doubleheader Sweep vs. #6 Northern Essex:
Game 1 (9-4): Tyree Jackson starred, going 3-3 with a 2B, HR, and 3 RBI. Hudson Valley pulled away with multi-run innings in the 2nd, 4th, and 5th.
Game 2 (19-5): A 13-run 2nd inning buried Northern Essex early. Logan Norman (3-4, 2 2B, 4 RBI) led the hit parade.
Pitching Perfection: Tyler Spenard tossed a 5-inning CG shutout vs. Fulton-Montgomery (5 K, 2 H), while Dylan Stolov anchored a 9-3 win over Waubonsee with 6.1 IP and 6 K.
Offensive Firepower: Seven players recorded multi-hit games, including Jameson Balich (3B, HR) and Jayden Kennedy (2-2, HR, 2B in an 11-0 rout).
Northampton Spartans (5-0)
Offensive Juggernaut: Northampton’s lineup terrorized opponents, batting .462 with a 1.305 OPS and scoring 91 runs in five games. Their comeback win over #4 Brookdale was the week’s most thrilling moment.
Key Highlights:
Epic Comeback vs. #4 Brookdale (13-12): Trailing 11-4 in the 7th, the Spartans erupted for 9 runs in the final frame. Danny Qualtria (4-4, 3 RBI) and Kyle Stoner (2 2B) fueled the rally.
Run-Rule Routines: Northampton mercy-ruled Delaware County twice (21-9, 23-1), highlighted by Braden Cummings’ 7 RBI in Game 2 and Jack Smale’s grand slam.
Pitching Standouts: Jared Diefenbach’s complete-game gem (11 K, 2 ER vs. Brookdale) set the tone early.
Kankakee Cavaliers (6-0 | 10-Game Win Streak)
Pitching Meets Power: Kankakee’s arms dominated with a 1.889 ERA and 76 strikeouts, while the offense scored 72 runs and notched two shutouts.
Key Highlights:
Shutout Showcases: Kollin Asbury’s 13-strikeout CGSO vs. Milwaukee Area Tech and Peyton Niksch’s 1-hit gem (7 K) highlighted a staff that allowed just 22 runs all week.
Walk-Off Drama: Down 3-2 in the 8th vs. DuPage, Cooper Ohlson (2-3, 2B, 3B) sparked a 3-run rally for a 5-3 win.
Offensive Explosions: A 10-run 1st inning against McHenry (22-10 final) saw Dalton Hobick (3-3, HR, 2B) and Amarion Paxton (HR, 4 RBI) dominate.
The Takeaway
These teams didn’t just win—they demolished competition with a blend of clutch hitting, power, and mound dominance. Hudson Valley’s balance, Northampton’s historic comeback, and Kankakee’s pitching depth make them squads to watch as postseason chatter heats up. If this week was any indication, these programs are on a collision course with championship aspirations.