Pioneer Press Baseball First Team

Bobby Hogan, Sr., OF, Fenwick

The center fielder and Catholic White co-player of the year was a major contributor on a Friars team that won the program’s first sectional championship. He batted .420 with 29 RBI and 33 runs scored. Hogan, an Elmhurst resident, plans to attend Notre Dame as a student instead of playing baseball at a Division II or III school.

Gehrig Parker, Sr., OF, Maine South

The Butler-bound center fielder earned Class 4A all-state honors after batting .421 and posting an on-base percentage of .511. He scored 35 runs, drove in 23 and hit five home runs to help the Hawks to a regional championship. He also was 16-for-16 on stolen bases.

Cody Carroll, Sr., OF, Glenbrook South

Although he got off to a slow start this spring, the Bradley recruit put up big numbers at the plate and was a Class 4A all-state selection. Carroll batted .400 with four homers, 38 RBI and 38 runs scored in leading the Titans to a regional title.

Tommy O’Hara, Sr., 3B, Glenbrook South

An old-school corner infielder, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound O’Hara possesses the glove skills to play third base and enough power to bat in the No. 3 spot in the order. O’Hara, who plans to play at Tufts (Massachusetts), hit .392 with four homers and 29 RBI.

Derek Parola, Sr., SS, Mundelein

The Illinois State recruit had a hot bat in the postseason, going 7-for-10 in two sectional wins. He hit .355 with 20 RBI, 10 doubles and two home runs for the full season. Son of coach Todd Parola, the middle infielder helped turn a 1-6-3 double play in a 12-2 win over Stevenson on May 13 to deliver his dad his 500th career win.

Thomas Norton, Jr., 2B, Notre Dame

Sure-handed in the field, Norton was part of 23 double plays this season. The Class 4A all-stater and Chicago resident also contributed at the plate by hitting .372 with 19 RBI and 21 runs scored.

Eli Otting, Sr., 1B, Evanston

The Evanston power hitter was a big reason why the Wildkits won their first sectional title since 2003 and the third in team history. Otting’s 11 home runs this season broke a 40-year-old program record, and he added 35 RBI to go with his .415 batting average. He plans to play at Tulane.

Evan Skoug, Sr., C, Libertyville

See Player of the Year story.

Luke Peterson, Jr., DH, Mundelein

Peterson produced runs hitting in the middle of the order. He had a team-best 36 RBI to go with his .413 batting average. He hit 14 doubles, five triples and two home runs. He also stole 15 bases for the sectional champs.

Quinten Sefcik, Sr., P, Carmel

A true top-of-the-rotation starter, the llinois-bound right-hander is a traditional power pitcher who throws all three of his pitches for strikes. In 56 innings he struck out 71 batters and had a 1.50 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP.