Wasbash Valley Ranked #11 in Top 50 Poll

Wabash Valley Community College in Mount Carmel, Illinois comes in at #11 on the PG Crosschecker top 50 Juco's for 2010.

The Warriors not only has the best team, but the state's best prospect in freshman OF Mel Rojas Jr., a product of the Dominican Republic who sat out last spring before starring in summer-league competition. The multi-tooled Rojas adds to a strong returning cast, led by Western Kentucky-bound 3B Michael Mosby (.364-15-72), sophomore C Jacob Rhodes (.403-9-51) and Morehead State-bound LHP Ryan Rogers (6-1, 3.13). Three Division I transfers add to the mix.

Heartland Community College lands the #22 spot on the list.  The Hawks will have to go through Illinois rival and reigning Division II champion Parkland JC to earn national-title aspirations of their own, but have clearly accomplished a lot in just two years of the program's existence. From last year's 42-9 team, the Hawks return Alabama-Birmingham-bound RHP Dillon Napoleon (7-1, 2.62) and Central Michigan-bound RHP Jon Weaver (2-1, 4.16), along with sophomore C Tony Sanchez (.417-1-21), Valparaiso-bound 2B Bobby Martin (Ohio transfer) and two Illinois State recruits, SS Bryan Huff (.382-3-40, 17 SB) and OF Eric Augilera (.442-11-59). Napoleon's fastball touched 94 in the fall while Weaver was a 17th-round pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2008.

Parkland, the defending Division II national champions comes in at #34 of the top 50 Juco's, have plenty to build on with the return of premium talents like Purdue-bound OF Kevin Kiermaier (.436-13-47) and Central Florida-bound RHP Danny Winkler (3-0, 3.60), just two of six Cobras players who have committed to four-year, Division I programs. The athletic Kiermaier is the state's second-ranked juco talent, while Winkler's fastball has topped out at 94 mph. Among the newcomers on Parkland's roster are three D-I transfers, notably ex-Ohio State 1B T.J. McManus and ex-Bradley C Brandon Stevens.