2011 NCAA Division III Baseball Players to Watch from Illinois

The following list are the 2011 NCAA Division III players to watch from Illinois chosen by Division III baseball coaches.

LHP - Alex Norman, Beloit College, Kaneland High School, lives in Elburn, IL

LHP - Steve Dennison, Wheaton College IL, lives in Centennial Co.

RHP - Jason Pankau, Illinois Wesleyan University, York High School, lives in Elmhurst IL

RHP - Travis Vanderwall, North Central College, the Lakes High School

RHP - Joe Sweeny, Illinois Wesleyan University, Fenwick High School, lives in Chicago, IL

RHP - Steve Sitterly, Aurora University, Romeoville High School, lives in Romeoville, IL

RHP - Drew Gay, Aurora University, Ottawa-Marquette High School

RHP - Pete Sparacino, North Park University, Carl Schurz High School, lives in Chicago, IL

C - Mike Corrigan, North Central College, St. Charles North High School, lives in Elburn, IL

1B - Mike Domenick, North Park University, New Trier High School, lives in Evanston, IL

2B - Ryan Javech, North Park University, Wheaton North High School, lives in Wheaton, IL

3B - Zach Hofer, Elmhurst College, Jacobs High School, lives in Algonquin, IL

3B - Jeff Grodecki, Illinois Wesleyan University, Glenbrook South High School, lives in Glenview, IL

3B - Tim Mackey, Aurora University, Leyden High School, lives in Rosemont, IL

SS - Bobby Wilson, Aurora University, Joliet Catholic High School, lives in Plainfield, IL

SS - Mike Kovach, Beloit College, Joliet Catholic High School, lives in Plainfield, IL

SS - Trevor Popp, North Park University, Antioch High School, lives in Antioch, IL

SS - Joe Kennedy, Elmhurst College, Pontiac High School, lives in Pontiac, IL

OF - Steve Hlavac, North Central College, Naperville North High School, lives in Naperville, IL

OF/C - Mark McDermott, Illinois Wesleyan University, Andrew High School, lives in Tinley Park, IL

OF - Ryan Hopp, Illinois Wesleyan University, Hinsdale South High School, lives in Darien, IL

OF - Dan Matkovic, Elmhurst College, Glenbard North High School, lives in Carol Stream, IL

OF - Justin Zeller, Wheaton College, lives in Indianapolis, IN

OF - Charlie Antal, Wheaton College, lives in Vancouver, WA

DH - Devin Melecio, North Park University, Roberto Clemente High School, lives in Chicago, IL

DH/P - Kevin Sullivan, Illinois Wesleyan University, Highland Park High School, lives in Highland Park, IL

2011 Draft Preview for Illinois College Baseball Players

Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's list of college players who have a chance of being drafted in the first two rounds of the 2011 MLB June draft.

Tony Zych

Junior Right handed pitcher Tony Zych from the University of Louisville.  The 6'3" 188 lb pitcher earned the Cape Cod league Most Outstanding Pro Prospect and the Most Outstanding Relief Pitcher awards last summer by collecting 12 saves and 29 K's in 20 1/3rd innings.  Tony is from St. Rita High School and lives in Monee IL.

 Nick Martini

Kansas State University junior outfielder Nick Martini who was named the Big 12 Player of the Year led the conference in hitting as a sophomore along with being ranked the #3 prospect in the M.I.N.K. league last summer.  The 5'11" 192 lb Martini is from Prairie Ridge High School and lives in Crystal Lake IL.

Kyle Gaedele

Valparaiso University outfielder Kyle Gaedele hit .373 with 7 homers, 19 doubles 63 rbi's and 17 stolen bases as a soph.  The 6'3" 225 lb Gaedele was named as the Top Prospect in the Northwoods League last summer with the Madison Mallards.  Kyle is from Rolling Meadows High School and lives in Arlington Heights, IL.

Ian Gardeck

Right handed pitcher Ian Gardeck who sits at 93-94 mph and has touched 98 mph transferred from the University of Dayton to Angelina Junior College in Texas.  Ian is from Crystal Lake South High School and lives in Lake in the Hills IL.





 

Illinois Wesleyan Baseball Ranked 5th in Division III Pre-Season Poll

The Illinois Wesleyan Titans, last years Division III National Champions, are ranked 5th on the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper pre-season poll.  The Titans finished the 2010 season with a 31-21 record.

Other Illinois teams that received votes but did not land in the rankings are:

North Central College (31-11)
North Park (28-15)
Aurora University (27-16)

 

Kishwaukee, Wabash Ranked in NJCAA Division I Baseball Pre-Season Poll

Kishwaukee College in Malta, IL and Wabash Valley in Mt. Carmel, IL both land on the NJCAA Division I baseball 2011 pre-season national poll voted on by the NJCAA Coaches Association on December 20th 2010.

Wabash Valley landed the #14 spot and Kishwaukee comes in at #20 on the pre-season rankings.  Defending champion Iowa Western holds the #1 spot in the poll.

2011 Frontier League Tryouts Announced

The Frontier League, Independent professional baseball, will hold it's annual tryout camp and draft on May 2nd and May 3rd 2011.  The tryouts will be held at Champion Window Field in Florence Kentucky with registration beginning at 8:00 am on May 2nd.

All 12 Frontier League teams will be in attendance and Major League Baseball scouts have attended the past six years. 

Advance registration is available by clicking on the link below.


2011 Frontier League Tryouts

Southern Illinois Miners Baseball Pick up Two All-Stars from Oakland County Cruisers

The Southern Illinois Miners have picked up two pitchers, Adam Dominick and P.J. Zocchi, from the dispersal draft from the Oakland County Cruisers.

Adam Dominick went 3-7 with a 3.17 era and struck out 73 batters in 59 2/3rds innings last season with the Cruisers.  Adam made an appearance in the 2010 Frontier League All-Star game in 2010.

P.J. Zocchi tied a single season record with 26 saves for the Cruisers in 2010 and went 3-0 with a 2.96 era.  P.J. also pitched an inning for the East All-Stars


 

Happy Holidays From Baseball in Illinois

Have a happy and safe holiday season! 

UIC Baseball Camp Schedule

University of Illinois Chicago baseball has announced their baseball camp schedule for a wide range of age groups.

Listed below are some of the upcoming camps.

Elite holiday hitting and fielding camp December 30-31

Martin Luther King Day camp January 17, 2011 - ages 8-13 & 14-18

Small group pitching lessons - three sessions January 13, 20, 27, 2011; ages 12-18

Small group hitting lessons - four sessions January 12, 19, 26, 2011; ages 13-18


For more information please follow the link below:

UIC Baseball Camps

Wes Benjamin Signs With Kansas Baseball

Kansas head baseball coach Ritch Price announced the signing of Wes Benjamin to a National Letter of Intent to play baseball with the Jayhawks for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Benjamin is a 6'1" 185 pound left-handed pitcher from St. Charles East high school.  Wes is the number 15-ranked high school baseball player in Illinois according to Perfect Game USA.  Wes went 13-2 with a 1.26 ERA and struck out 112 in 83 1/3rd innings last season.

 

Max Allen Signs With Georgetown Baseball

Georgetown University head baseball coach Pete Wilk announced that Max Allen has signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball with the Hoyas for the 2011-2012 academic year.

"Max has a great pitchers frame and good stuff to match" quoted by head coach Wilk.

Max Allen is a 6'1" right-handed pitcher from Highland Park IL.

 

CornBelter Baseball Selects Jeremy Jones, Luis Fernandez and Nolan Shaffer in Dispersal Draft

The Normal CornBelters selected outfielder Jeremy Jones, shortstop Luis Fernandez and right handed pitcher Nolan Shaffer from the Oakland County Cruisers dispersal draft.

Jones finished last season with a .276 batting average, 9 homers and 62 rbi's.

Fernandez ended his 2010 season hitting .238 with two dingers and 22 rbi's.

Shaffer wound up his 2010 season with a 4-6 record and a 5.21 era.

 

Casey Kopitzke Returns to Manage The Peoria Chiefs for 2011

The Chicago Cubs and the Peoria Chiefs announced the 2011 field staff for the Peoria Chiefs.  Manager Casey Kopitzke returns for a second season after leading the Chiefs to a 71-66 record in 2010. 

Kopitzke will be joined by Springfield IL native and former Chicago Cub reliever Jeff Fassero.  Fassero will be in charge of the Chiefs pitching staff.  Also assigned to the Chiefs are hitting coach Ricardo Medina, who was with the Chiefs in 2005, and athletic trainer A.J. Larson.

Corey Schultz Named to 2011 NAIA Baseball Preseason All-American Team

Corey Schultz

University of St. Francis junior right handed pitcher Corey Schultz was named to the 2011 preseason NAIA Baseball All-American Team.  Schultz is the only player from the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, one of 17 players to be named to the team and a 2010 NAIA Baseball Honorable Mention All-American.

The Fighting Saint closer Schultz led the team with nine victories, a 2.59 era, five saves and a 9-1 record.  Corey Schultz is from Kankakee, IL.


 

Kane County Cougars Host Free Coaches Clinic February 5th 2011

The Kane County Cougars are holding a free coaches clinic on Saturday February 5th 2011 featuring instructors from both the Kane County Cougars and the Kansas City Royals organizations.

The clinic is intended for adult coaches and not youth players and is open to the public. 

Clinic instructors include:

Vance Johnson - Kane County Cougars Manger
Mark Davis - Kansas City Royals minor league pitching coordinator
Tony Tijerina - Kansas City Royals minor league field coordinator
Andre Davis - Kansas City Royals minor league hitting coach.

You can download a clinic brochure by following the link below:

Kane County Cougar Coaches Clinic

Judson University Baseball Picked to Win 2011 CCAC

The Judson University Eagles are picked to win the 2011 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference from NAIA conference polls.

Judson won 39 games last season, which was the most in Eagle history.

CCAC NAIA Preseason Poll:

1. Judson University
2. University of St. Francis
3. Robert Morris University
4. Saint Xavier University
5. Olivet Nazarene University
6. Trinity International University

Tim Johnson Replaces Fran Riordan as Lake County Fielders Manager

Less than three months after announcing that Fran Riordan will return as field manager for the Lake County Fielders the organization has hired former MLB manager Tim Johnson to manage the club for the 2011 season. 

Johnson, who most recently managed the Independent Tuscon Toros, managed the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1998 season.  The Toros are not fielding a team for the 2011 season with the hopes of Triple-A baseball returning to Tuscon. 

Riordan went 41-59 with the Fielders last season.


 

Kevin Tokarski and Nick Martini earn Preseason All-American Honors







Kevin Tokarski

 Second baseman Kevin Tokarski and outfielder Nick Martini land on the 11th annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-American Team.

Illinois State University second baseman Kevin Tokarski earned his fifth and sixth All-American honors as the redshirt junior was named to both the NCBWA and Louisville Slugger preseason All-American third-teams.  Tokarski hit .412 with 25 doubles, 3 triples, 8 home runs and 53 rbi's last season for the Redbirds.  Kevin is from Downers Grove North High School.



Nick Martini



Kansas State outfielder Nick Martini, who was named the Big 12 Player of the Year and a second team ABCA All-American following his sophomore season, earned third team honors on the 2011 NCBWA All-American Team.  Martini hit .416 with 4 homers, 17 doubles and 59 rbi's for the Wildcats as a sophomore.  Nick is from Prairie Ridge High School and lives in Crystal Lake, IL.

Catcher Doug Beath Signs With Oakland University

Oakland University head baseball coach John Musachio announced the signing of Doug Beath to a National Letter of Intent to play for the Grizzlies for the 2012 season.

Beath is a 6'3" switch hitting catcher from Barrington High School will bring the Grizzlies power from both sides of plate along with a big time arm.  With Doug's athleticism and exceptional throwing ablility makes him a versatile player with the ability to play other positions, according to coach Musachio.

Southern Illinois University Names Ken Henderson Interim Head Baseball Coach

Director of Athletics Mario Moccia announced that Ken Henderson was named the interim head baseball coach for the 2011 season for the Salukis.

Henderson, who has been with the Saluki baseball program for over 20 years, succeeds his longtime friend Dan Callahan who passed away on November 15th.  Henderson served as interim head coach midway through the 1994 season where he guided the Saluki's to a 12-8 record under his direction.



 

Jeff Schalk Signs With Alabama Birmingham Baseball

University of Alabama Birmingham head baseball coach Brian Shoop recently announced the signing of outfielder Jeff Schalk to a National Letter of Intent to play baseball with the Blazers for the 2012 season.

Schalk, who is from Wheaton North High School, is listed as the sixth best player in Illinois by Perfect Game USA.  Jeff hit .344 with with 8 home runs, 7 doubles and 41 rbi's as a junior at Wheaton North.

Kyle Wood Signs With Purdue Baseball

Kyle Wood, left handed pitcher/Outfielder, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play with Purdue Unviersity for the 2012 season.

Wood, who is a first team All-State as an outfielder, batted .538 with 14 home runs and 56 rbi's along with posting a 7-2 record with a 1.72 ERA on the mound as a junior.

Kyle is from St. Laurence High School in Burbank, IL.


 

Northwestern University Baseball Sign Cody Libman and Brandon Magallones

Northwestern University head baseball coach Paul Stevens announced the signing of Cody Libman and Brandon Magallones to National Letters of Intent for the 2012 season.

Catcher/RHP Cody Libman, Glenview, IL, Glenbrook South High School, gives the Wildcats flexibility as both a catcher and a pitcher and coach Stevens believes Cody will bring depth behind the plate and has potential on the mound.

Right handed pitcher Brandon Magallones, Manhattan, IL, Providence Catholic High School, has one of the best arms that Stevens has run into in a number of years.  "Brandon throws low 90's right now and he is still developing" according to Stevens.



 

Southern Illinois Salukis Baseball Sign Four for 2012

The Southern Illinois Saluki baseball program announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2012 baseball season. 

Right handed pitcher Sam Coonrod, Carrollton High School, Carrolton, IL, is a three sport athlete and went 8-1 with a 1.10 era his junior year.

Left handed pitcher Nathan Dorris, Rend Lake College, Marion High School, threw 49 innings last season at Rend Lake College.  Nathan also played in the Prospect League last summer going 2-4 with a 2.91 era for the Richmond River Rats.

Middle infielder J.C. Davis, DuQuoin High School, hit .436, 5 homers, 31 rbi's and 23 stolen bases as a junior.  J.C.'s father also played baseball for the Saluki's.

Outfielder Trevor Murphy, Lemont High School, left handed hitter Murphy hit .296  and stole 11 bases as a junior at Lemont.  Trevor is also a wide receiver on the Lemont football team.