Sean Duncan’s baseball notes

1. The East Suburban Catholic Conference, which has long been one of the state’s most competitive leagues, figured to be tightly contested this year — but not to this extent. After Saturday’s results, seven of the nine schools are within two games of first place. Defending Class 3A champion Joliet Catholic (8-4), Marist (7-4), St. Viator (6-4) and Benet (6-4), Carmel (6-4), Nazareth (5-5) and Marian Catholic (6-6) are all within striking distance of each other. ESCC resumes play on Monday and Wednesday with critical series between JCA and Nazareth, and Benet and Marian Catholic.

2. As expected, the Fox Valley Valley race is coming down to the wire. After having a slow start, Cary-Grove has caught fire and moved into a three-way tie with Huntley and Jacobs. McHenry and Prairie Ridge are only a game behind in the race.

3. Glenbrook South finally cracked the top 10 rankings after the Titans reeled off their 15th straight victory and stayed perfect in the Central Suburban South. While the Titans have been getting production up and down their lineup, the emergence of 6-8 junior right-hander Fitz Stadler has provided depth at the front of the rotation. Stadler is 6-0 with a 0.77 ERA.