SouthtownStar’s three things to know

1. Kyle Ostrowski is legit. The junior left-hander didn’t always face top competition last season, behind Mike Miller and Kevin Smith in the Lincoln-Way North rotation. However, Ostrowski is the unequivocal ace of this year’s team and he showed why Thursday during a 3-0 win over Lincoln-Way West. Boasting a low-90s (mph) fastball and sharp breaking ball, Ostrowski was both overpowering and crafty in taming an explosive Warriors offense. His demeanor on the mound was as smooth as his delivery. The Purdue recruit allowed just two hits, one walk and struck out 10.

2. Nick Goldsmith can rake. St. Rita’s senior first baseman is committed to punt at Pittsburgh. However, he’s been putting on quite a display of power on the diamond. Goldsmith has seven homers, including a drive at St. Ignatius that still might be airborne, and another off Providence ace Mike Godfrey that left St. Rita’s yard in a nanosecond. Goldsmith has driven in 36 runs.

3. Mike Kornacker is strong. St. Laurence’s senior infielder/pitcher stands 6-4, 200 pounds. He looks like a man in the batter’s box. Wednesday against St. Rita, Kornacker hit a ball so hard off the right-center field fence — opposite field, mind you — that it sounded like a wrecking ball slamming into a building.