Rose-Hulman Chosen as Preseason HCAC Baseball Favorite

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference has chosen Rose-Hulman as the favorite to claim the 2010 conference crown. 

Rose returns a host of key components from last season's team including Mideast Region Player of the Year Tim Tepe (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder). The senior shortstop ranked among the conference leaders, slugging .764 last season with 58 RBI, six triples, 21 doubles, 87 hits, 57 runs scored, a .522 on-base percentage, and a .489 batting average. Also returning to set the table for the heart of the Engineers' order is senior catcher Keenan Long (Chicago, Illinois/Northwestern Uni.). The senior hit .356 a year ago with 45 runs scored, 60 RBI, 10 doubles, and 11 home runs.


On the mound, Rose-Hulman will be led by All-HCAC first team selection Derek Eitel (Marshall, Ill./H.S.). The senior right handed pitcher was 10-1 on the hill last year with a 4.03 earned run average. Eitel ranked first in the conference with 81 strikeouts, 82.2 innings pitched, and a .213 opponent batting average.

2010 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Players to Watch from Illinois:

Keenan Long - C (Sr., Chicago, Ill./Northwestern Uni.)
Derek Eitel - P (Sr., Marshall, Ill./H.S.)
Chandler Kent - 3B (Sr., Antioch, Ill./H.S.)