A Pitching Powerhouse
Villa Park High School’s baseball team has earned the top seed in the Division 2 playoffs, a testament to a season that saw the squad finish with a 19‑8‑1 record under longtime coach Burt Call.
At the heart of that success are junior right‑hander Logan Hoppie and senior left‑hander Jack McGuire, who form a formidable pitching duo that has consistently limited opponents to single‑digit scores.
Hoppie enters the postseason with a 10‑1 record and a 1.28 earned‑run average, highlighted by a two‑hit shutout of the Crestview League champion Cypress, while McGuire boasts a 6‑2 record, a 1.62 ERA and 82 strikeouts in just 60 ⅔ innings, including a 16‑strikeout outing earlier this year.
The opening playoff match will be played on Villa Park’s home field against the Elsinore Tigers, giving the team a familiar environment and the advantage of familiar crowds as they look to advance further.
Fans and alumni have rallied around the team’s recent performances, hoping the strong pitching staff can translate into a deep run in the tournament and bring additional recognition to the school’s athletic program.