If history tells us anything, it’s that the nature of the MVC is to constantly get off the canvas and make no excuses. Rest assured, it won’t be long before the Valley is riding high again. The ringleader has to emerge again… yes Wichita, since you’re the big ticket program, I’m looking your direction. They’ll be close to the Shocks of old this season, but not quite. MoState will be back in the thick of things as well, but if you’re looking for a team that could rout the field, look at the senior-heavy Indiana State Sycamores. It’s now-or-never time for them as they welcome back a veteran club. Creighton is always a player in the top rung and Illinois State brings back a full squad again. Oh, and R.I.P. Northern Iowa, who don’t have a program any longer, leaving an open non-conference weekend for each team in the conference.
Gene Stephenson sees his Shockers go from the hunter to the hunted for 2010.
Favorite: Wichita State
Conntenders: Indiana State, Missouri State, Creighton
Darkhorse: Illinois State
Preview of Illinois Teams:
2009 RPI: 258
Starters Returning: 3
Weekend Starters: 1
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 2
All Conference Candidates:
LHP Joe Bircher (4-2, 3.39)
RHP Justin Ziegler (1-2, 3.97)
The Good News:
As with most coaching situations, year two for Elvis Dominguez should go much smoother and the Braves should have a better groundwork for success. Bircher should be able to get some Ws with his versatility and mid-week starter Brad Altbach (1-7, 6.02) should improve his numbers. The Braves also get back RHP Kori Jensen, who was 5-0, 5.36 with 7svs, but had to sit last year with an injury. They’ll throw to C Kevin Sullivan (.277 in part-time duty) who has fellow senior 2B Matt Fritz (.272, 24SBs) to build the offense and defense around.
The Bad News:
A dead-last finish in the Valley for BU? Tsk, tsk. The Bravos have now faltered from 30-to-26-to-17 wins the last three seasons. And this could be more of a rebuilding year as five of the top six hitters are gone off a team that hit only .259 to begin with and has to replace two weekend starters and the ace reliever on the hill. The arms staff didn’t do a bad job with a 5.51 team ERA, but they must reign in the 56 wild pitches and 47 plunkings.
ILLINOIS STATE (25-23, 11-11)
2009 RPI: 170
Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 0
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 3
All Conference Candidates:
SS Ryan Court (.323-5-41)
UTL Anthony Ruffalo (.315-4-29)
1B Evan Kohli (.308-3-32)
LHP Ryan Copeland (4-5, 3.63, 6CGs)
RHP Corey Maines (6-5, 4.26, 2CGs)
RHP Ryan Camp (6-3, 4.73, .251OBA)
The Good News:
First and foremost, the pitching that returns to the roster this season is enough to have coach Mark Kingston chomping at the bit. All three weekend starters in Copeland, Maines and Camp are back to man their posts. Behind them, the Redbirds have two serviceable saves specialists in RHP Jim Sajewich (4-2, 4.35, 4svs) and RHP Kyle Nelson (3-1, 6.21, 2svs), who should solidify the late innings. The defense improved from .952 in ‘08 to .965 last year. With Court at short and the return of 2B/SS Kevin Tokarski, who hit .303 as a frosh in 2008 before having to sit out all but four games last season with an injury.
The Bad News:
Redbird nation got a bad dose of reality as ISU went just 2-7 down the stretch in MVC play, falling to a 6th place finish. The offense was fairly stagnant last season, hitting just .281 and swatting only 31HRs. Also, after stealing 102 bases two years ago, last season the basepaths were lame, as ISU stole only 55 bases. Time to get things cranked back up. But they’ll have to do so without Mike Stalowy, who paced the bats, hitting at a .328 clip and generally leading by example.
2009 RPI: 182
Starters Returning: 6
Weekend Starters: 1
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 2
All Conference Candidates:
1B Chris Serritella (.325-4-24)
OF Aaron Roberts (.301)
DH/C Tyler Bullock (.292-11-33)
LHP Jimmy Cornell (2-2, 3.26, .216OBA)
RHP Bryant George (3-0, 3.21, 8svs)
The Good News:
Coach Dan Callahan has to like the fact that his squad will feature a lot of seniors and experienced players. Four of the six mound returnees are four-year players, including Cornell, the Saturday starter, and George, the bullpen ace. They’ll have RHP Daniel Etienne (3-1, 4.28) and Kellen Candau (1-0, 5.79, 17apps) to back them up. The defense was a stellar .971 last season and has corner infielders Serritella and 3B Tony Lapore (.283), who bring their senior experience to the chore.
The Bad News:
Try not to emulate last season’s 3-10 start, which saw the Salukis produce little offense. The fatal blow to the Dogs came in their 0-11 record against the top four teams in the Valley. Gotta step up in the big games this season. Despite winning all four extra inning games, SIU didn’t play real clutch at other times since nine of the teams losses came by a single run. Hitting better than .286 in imperative, despite missing top bat Mark Kelly. Finding two solid arms to replace weekenders Andrew Dunn (3.15) and Adam Curynski (4.52) will be huge.