It came to my attention today that Naperville North freshman outfielder Sammy Marshall broke the school record this season for steals. Marshall finished with 26 stolen bases this season, the most in the area. The previous record was held by Jan Mountcastle, who had 23 steals in 1979. Marshall also scored 20 runs this season to lead the Huskies.

Selecting The Sun's All-City softball team is one of my most difficult and fun job responsibilities. There are usually three or four no-brainers and then the list gets trickier and takes a few days to sort out. Since I make the list, I thought I'd share with our Heat Index readers the five rules I employ when making this list. Remember, these are my rules. I can't speak for how my colleagues determine their All-City selections.

The IHSA board of directors is nothing if not inclusive and proved that again on Monday with the announcement that bass fishing will be an IHSA sanctioned event starting next year. This is clearly awesome.

Schools will be allowed to enter up to two boats, with up to three students in each boat, although only two may fish at any one time. The competition will run for up to eight hours per day. Each boat may weigh five fish at the end of each day's competition.

The state finals will be held May 8-9 at a site to be determined. For those who have dipped a hook or two in this state, where should the IHSA hold the state finals?

JOLIET - This was a good week for Highland pitcher Jake Odorizzi, who was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 32nd overall pick in the amateur draft on Thursday, threw seven shutout innings to beat Crystal Lake Central 1-0 in the Class 3A semifinal on Friday and then nailed down the final two outs as the Bulldogs beat Rock Falls 6-2 for the state title on Saturday. Odorizzi (14-0) struck out two batters to earn the save.

Two of Benet's rivals were drafted in the later rounds. Joliet Catholic's John Ruettiger, who shared ESCC player of the year honors with Bryan Roberts, was selected by the Texas Rangers with the 1,053rd pick. Lockport's Steve Sabatino, a Notre Dame recruit who saved the 4-2 win over Benet in the sectional semifinal, was chosen by the White Sox with the 1,260th pick.

For a list of players who consider Illinois home, click here.

JOLIET - Wheaton North senior first baseman Travis Otto got a call Friday night around 7:30 or 8, and it wasn't a telemarketer. The White Sox had selected him with the 1,458th pick of the amateur draft.

"I had no clue that was gonna happen," the 6-6, 190-pound Otto said. "I didn't expect it at all."

Otto later told Sun contributor Eddie Burns that he still plans to attend Illinois Wesleyan...and play golf. Saturday's 4-3 loss to Neuqua Valley marked his final baseball game.

JOLIET - Neuqua Valley pounded Prairie Ridge 15-6 last month in Naperville, but little could be gleaned from that nonconference game, with both teams saving top pitchers for other opponents.

"I think it was in the back of everyone's head...the way that last game went," Prairie Ridge shortstop Bobby Martin said. "Neither team really threw any of their real good pitchers but (it) was a good experience to go through that (and) really come out after 'em this game."

By Friday night, after Michael Heesch had shut down Neuqua in a 7-1 win, and Prairie Ridge had scored six unearned runs, a more telling lesson could perhaps be found in last season's Class AA title game. The Wildcats beat New Trier 5-1 despite notching only one hit, taking advantage of two errors and scoring all five of their runs in the fourth.

"One play could give you a win. One play could cost you the game," Neuqua coach Robin Renner said. "So many times that play has allowed us to win the game, you know, over the last couple years. You know last year with the one hit...and a lot of times this year...This year it went the other way on us."

Benet's Bryan Roberts and Joliet Catholic's John Ruettiger were named the East Suburban Catholic Conference's co-players of the year in baseball.

Roberts went 9-2 with a 0.79 ERA, three saves and 133 strikeouts in 70.2 innings for the Redwings, who finished a game behind ESCC co-champions Carmel and Joliet Catholic. Roberts, who is committed to Illinois, also hit .404 with four home runs and 27 RBI.

Benet junior shortstop Alex Staehely (.339, eight home runs, 36 RBI) and junior first baseman Pat Gelwicks (.333, two home runs, 19 RBI) were also recognized on the all-conference team. For the full list, click here.

Benet walloped St. Ignatius 14-7 to win the Illinois High School Lacrosse Association "B" Lacrosse Cup contest on Sunday. This short video shows just how excited the Redwings were after the win. if anyone has the entire game, feel free to leave a link in the comments section so we can post it up.

The last three IHSA state finals this particular part of The Heat Index has covered have gone like this:

Boys swimming: Neuqua Valley wins state title.

Water polo: Naperville Central boys finish as runner up.

Boys volleyball: Neuqua Valley finishes third.

So basically fourth place is as good as the next team I see can hope to achieve. Teams would be much better off with a Paul LaTour or a Brad Engel. Their mojo seems intact.

Plainfield South had an interesting advantage going into Saturday's 3-2 win over Naperville Central in the Bolingbrook Sectional championship - they didn't realize they were supposed to lose.