Thursday, April 29, 2010

Kevin Tenney From Trinity International Illinois Named NAIA Baseball Player of the Week

Kevin Tenney from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois has been named as the NAIA National Baseball Player of the Week for the week ending April 25th, 2010.

Tenney, a junior first baseman from San Diego, Calif., hit .813 (13-for-16) with six home runs in four wins last week for Trinity International. He pounded opposing pitchers to the tune of eight extra base-hits (six homers, two doubles) and a slugging percentage of 2.063. He drove in 16 runs and scored nine times. In the 20-10 win over North Central (Minn.), a NCAA Division III school, Tenney went 5-for-5 with two homers, six RBIs, three runs scored and one double. He also had a two-home run day, going 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs against Trinity Christian (Ill.) on April 20.


In national statistics, Tenney ranks 10th in RBIs (62) and 37th in total bases (113). He has helped the Trojans win nine of their last 11 games and improve to 28-16 on the season.




Plainfield North Baseball Extends Conference Winning Streak to 34 Games

Plainfield North extended it's Southwest Prairie Conference winning streak to 34 games with a win over rival Plainfield Central 4-3 on Tuesday.  The Tigers (17-2 overall 10-0 conference) have not lost a conference game dating back to the end of the 2008 season. 

North's Evan Whaley scored what proved to be the winning run in the fifth on a wild pitch.  Ben Gorgan (2-0) picked up the victory on the mound for the Tigers with two innings of scoreless relief.

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Junior College National Baseball Polls - Illinois Teams

Illinois Junior College baseball teams ranked as of April 28th, 2010 in the latest NJCAA National Baseball polls:

Division I

#12 Wabash Valley 37-9, moved up two spots from last week

Division II

#3 Parkland College 33-7, again at #3 this week
#7 Kankakee Community College 31-10, same as last week
others receiving votes - Heartland Community College 24-9

Division III

No Illinois teams ranked in the top ten as of 4-28-10.  Other teams receiving votes - Joliet Junior College 26-19



Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Rockford RiverHawks Add Jake Eigsti to Roster

The Rockford RiverHawks signed infielder Jake Eigsti on Tuesday.  Eigsti, who was drafted out of Indiana State in 2006, hit .235 overall last year while playing in the Mets organizaiton with Binghamton (AA), St. Lucie (A), Savannah (A) and Brooklyn (A). 


Illinois High School Baseball Rankings as of April 26 2010

The Chicago Sun Times Illinois High School Baseball ranking as of April 26th, 2010

1. Stevenson 17-1
2. St. Laurence 19-1
3. Naperville Central 15-2
4. St. Rita 17-3
5. Plainfield North 16-2
6. Downers Grove South 15-5
7. Warren 16-3
8. Providence 16-5
9. Mundelein 15-3
10. Naperville North




Mount Carmel Baseball Coach Brian Hurry Records 300th Win

Brian Hurry, who is in his 11th season with the Caravan, recorded his 300th win Monday with a victory over St. Ignatius 11-1.  Mount Carmel (16-5 overall 6-2 in the Catholic League Blue) took advantage of the wind in the first as Chris Sujka and Mike Krueger both homered to give the Caravan a 3-0 lead after one.  Adam Panayotovich got the victory on the mound giving up four hits and striking out four to improve to 5-1 on the season.

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Friday, April 23, 2010

Western Illinois Baseball Announces 12 Commitments for 2011

Western Illinois University Head Baseball Coach Mike Villano announced the commitments of 12 players for the 2011 season. 

Baseball in Illinois will show details on players from Illinois.

Ryan Cowhey, OF, 6-3, 202 (Oakton C.C./Orland Park, Ill.)

Cowhey is currently in his second season at Oakton. He is batting .395 (51-for-129) with 18 doubles, one triple and five home runs this season. Cowhey has also hit five home runs and is second on his team with 50 runs scored.

Matt Igara, OF, 5-11, 202 (Heartland C.C./Algonquin, Ill.)

Igara comes to Western Illinois from Heartland Community College where he is currently batting .393 (33-for-84) with nine doubles, three triples, four home runs and 38 RBI. He has also scored 34 runs and is a perfect 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts.



Dan Russell, RHP, 5-9, 175 (Illinois Central College/Henry, Ill.)

Russell comes to Western Illinois from Illinois Central College where he is currently 4-3 with a 3.81 ERA this season. In 59.0 IP he has recorded and incredible 61 strikeouts and issued just eight walks.

Alexander Zarate, RHP, 6-2, 170 (Heartland C.C./Park Ridge, Ill.)

Zarate is 2-0 with a 3.48 ERA in 20.2 IP his season. He has allowed just eight earned runs and has recorded 14 strikeouts while issuing only four walks.


Tyler Baratono, SS, 5-9, 165 (Allen Park/Allen Park, Mich.)

Garrett Bolt, RHP, 6-4, 210 (Muskegon C.C./Breckenridge, Minn.)
Jake Moore, C, 6-2, 180 (Romeo/Romeo, Mich.)

Dan Owenby, 1B, 6-3, 195 (Notre Dame Prep/Pontiac, Mich.)
Tyler Owings, LHP, 6-4, 170 (Saline/Saline, Mich.)
Mac Simotes, SS, 6-1, 165 (Hackett Catholic Central/Kalamazoo, Mich.)

Zach Sterling, RHP, 6-3, 200 (Olney Central College/Lima, Ohio)
Ryan Wachholder, RHP, 5-11, 170 (Heartland C.C./Brookfield, Wis.)




Gateway Grizzlies Open Tryout Sunday April 25th 2010

The Gateway Grizzlies will hold their open tryout on Sunday April 25th 2010 at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Illinois.

Along with the Grizzlies, representatives from the Oakland County Cruisers and the River City Rascals will also be on hand evaluating talent.

Tryouts are $50.00 and registration begins at 8:00 am.  In case of inclement weather tryouts will be held on Monday April 26th.

For a registration form please follow the link below.

Gateway Grizzlies Tryout Registration Form


Southern Illinois Miners Baseball Sign Eric Barrett

The Southern Illinois Miners have signed local Marion native and former Atlanta Braves draft pick Eric Barrett for the 2010 season.  Barrett graduated from Marion High School and played college ball at John A. Logan College.  

Barrett joins former Miners pitchers Travis Hope and Cody Dunbar as the third Marion native to sign with his hometown team.


Thursday, April 22, 2010

Greenville College's David Massengill Named Diamond Sports Player of the Week


David Massengill from Greenville College has been named the Diamond Sports St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball player of the week for the week ending April 18th, 2010.

Massengill, a junior from Neoga, Illinois, hit .625 (10-16), scored seven runs, two doubles, a homer, three rbi's and 2 stolen bases in four games last week. 





Northern Athletics Conference Baseball Players of the Week

Edgewood College pticher Blake O'Brien and Rockford College infielder Kyle Standridge have been named Nothern Athletics Conference players of the week for the week ending April 18th, 2010.

O'Brien, freshman pitcher from Glen Ellyn Illinois, did not allow a run in nine innings of work against Dominican last week.  The RHP allowed five hits, struck out six and walked one for the first complete game of his career.

Standridge, senior infielder from Carol Stream Illinois, hit .692 last week.  Kyle has hit safely in all 24 of Rockford's games so far this season.  Last week he recorded 14 runs, nine rbi's and a walk-off single against Lakeland.






Giovenco, Hoffman Named CCIW Baseball Players of the Week


Mike Giovenco and Dave Hoffman were named CCIW players of the week for the week ending April 20th, 2010.

Giovenco, a junior pitcher from North Park, struck out 15 batters last week.  Against Milikin, Mike struck out 13 giving up two runs on three hits in a 6-5 victory.  The other two K's came against Elmhurst College in a 11-7 victory with a one inning relief appearance.

Hoffman, a junior infielder from Augustana, hit .519 last week (14-27) scored nine runs, five doubles, a dinger and five rbi's on the week.   





John Weaver Named NJCAA Baseball Player of the Week

Heartland Community College Sophomore Pitcher John Weaver has been named NJCAA Division II player of the week for the week ending April 14, 2010.

On April 6th Weaver pitched five innings giving up three hits two earned runs and struck out seven against Spoon River and on April 11th Weaver pitched six innings giving up one earned run, three hits and struck out seven.  On the week Weaver threw 11 innings, gave up three runs, five hits and 13 K's






Friday, April 16, 2010

ThunderBolts Baseball Sign Kent Gerst


Baseball in Illinois News

The Windy City ThunderBolts have recently signed Kent Gerst to handle the centerfield duties for the 2010 season. 

Kent Gerst is a left-handed outfielder from O’Fallon, MO, home of the ThunderBolts’ rival, the River City Rascals. Although Kent is only 22 years old, he brings an abundance of affiliated baseball experience to the ThunderBolts organization. He began his professional career in 2006 (drafted in the 8th round by the Chicago White Sox) with the Bristol White Sox of the rookie class, Appalachian League. In his two years spent there, he batted .258, with 31 RBI and 21 stolen bases.





Kane County Cougars - Players from Illinois


Local Illinois baseball players and coaches on the Kane County Cougar Roster for 2010:

Field Manger Aaron Nieckula was drafted by Oakland in the 22nd round of the 1998 June draft, attended the University of Illinois and resides in Aurora.

Pitcher Ian Krol was drafted in the 7th round of the 2009 draft, attended Neuqua Valley High School and resides in Naperville. 







James Murrey Named National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Pitcher of the Week

Baseball in Illinois News

Macalester College senior James Murrey was named pitcher of the week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association for striking out 18 batters in eight innings in a 1-0 victory over Johns Hopkins.  James tied a 73 year old school record with his 18 strikeouts.

Murrey, a 6-4 220 lb senior is from Western Springs, Illinois and attended Lyons Township High School.

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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Junior College Baseball Polls for Illinois Teams 4-14-10


NJCAA Rankings for Illinois JUCO's as of 4-14-10

Division I
#14 Wabash Valley College 29-9

other schools receiving votes (not in top 25)  John A. Logan College 27-9, Lincoln Trail College 23-10

Division II
#3 Parkland College 23-3
#7 Kankakee Community College 27-7-1
other schools receiving votes (not in top 15) College of Lake County 15-5, John Wood Community College 18-12

Division III
No Illinois schools ranked in the top 10 this week - Joliet Junior College received votes at 14-17-1





Monday, April 12, 2010

Lake County Fielders Begin Construction on Baseball Stadium Village


Baseball in Ilinois News
courtesy of the Lake County Fielders

The City of Zion has announced that its construction of a planned multi-million dollar minor league baseball stadium is scheduled to begin next week. The stadium project is now worthy of a blockbuster major league trade announcement beginning with its new location on a 23-acre site at the NE corner of the Rt. 173 and Green Bay Road, gateway to Trumpet Park and the City of Zion. The "ballpark village" will include a year round multi-use development showcasing retail shops, multi-screen movie theatre, and restaurant.


The site of the project is currently commercially zoned vacant land with sewer, water, road, traffic, and power infrastructure already self-contained, allowing construction to commence immediately, in contrast to the former location. The city proactively pursued this new site on behalf of the 2010 baseball season. "The commercial appeal of this new location has attracted exciting new private investment allowing for the project to expand and it's really the premier home for this project for generations into the future" said Mayor Lane Harrison, "Plus, the addition of retail shops and a movie theatre will create an exciting year round entertainment and shopping atmosphere, more jobs in our community, and attract further development in the area."

The stadium will be home to the Northern League's Lake County Fielders, a minor league baseball team co-owned by Academy Award winner and baseball enthusiast Kevin Costner. The stadium will also contain a permanent concert stage, and a banquet facility that will be open all year.

"I applaud Mayor Harrison's long term vision for this project, and his uncompromising dedication to the quality of life for the residents in his community," said Fielders' President Rich Ehrenreich, "We've waited 20 years to see minor league baseball in Lake County, and it will all be worth the wait. "





Sunday, April 11, 2010

NJCAA Illinois Baseball Rankings 3-31-10

Below are the Illinois Junior College baseball rankings as of 3-31-10

NJCAA Division I

#10 John A. Logan College 21-5
#16 Olney Central College 20-5

NJCAA Divison II

#4 Parkland College 13-2
#7 Heartland Community College 11-3
#11 Kankakee Community College 19-7-1

NJCAA Division III

No Illinois teams ranked in the top 10 as of 3-31-10






Andrew Heer Named Midwest Conference Baseball Performer of the Week


Senior DH Andrew Heer (Wheeling, Illinois) from Beloit College has been named performer of the week in the the Midwest Conference.  Andrew hit .545 in four games with 3 home runs, 1 double and 10 rbi's for Beloit.  Against Washington University (MO) Andrew went 5-9 with 7 rbi's hitting a 2 run homer in game one and a 3 run homer in game 2.  Against Knox College Andrew had a pinch-hit 3 run homer in the victory.

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Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Division I Illinois Baseball Teams Update


Division I baseball team updates through Tuesday 4-6-10

Bradley University - current record 6-17 - leading hitter Brian Martin 99 AB .384 2 HR 13 RBI - leading pitcher Jacob Booden 28.1 IP 3-1 record 2.86 ERA

Chicago State University - current record 1-16 - leading hitter Albert Carpen 36 AB .444 .512 OBA - leading pitcher Dayton Dalman 16.1 IP 0-2 record 8.84 ERA

Eastern Illinois University - current record 7-20 - leading hitters Curt Resko 74 AB .311 .402 OBA, Zach Borenstein 110 AB .309 10 doubles 4 HR - leading pitcher Mike Hoekstra 28.1 IP 2-1 3.81 ERA

University of Illinois - current record 12-10 - leading hitter Willie Argo 80 AB .425 6 doubles .510 OBA - leading pitcher Kevin Manson 18 IP 1-0 2.50 ERA

Northern Illinois University - current record 10-17 - leading hitter Dave Reynolds 107 AB .318 34 hits 14 RBI's - leading pitcher Jeremy Gonzales 43.1 IP  2-1 4.36 ERA

Northwestern University - current record 7-20 - leading hitter Paul Snieder 104 AB .365 7 doubles 3 triples .446 OBA - leading pitcher Francis Brooke 42.2 IP 3-2 4.22 ERA

Souther Illinois Edwardsville - current record 7-20 - leading hitter James Vazquez 94 AB .362 6 doubles 3 triples 2 HR - leading pitcher Dustin Quattrocchi 26 IP 2-3 4.85 ERA

Southern Illinois Carbondale - current record 15-14 - leading hitter Blake Pinnon 99 AB .364 8 doubles 6 HR - leading pitcher Nathan Forer 24.1 IP 1-1 0.74 ERA

University of Illinois Chicago - current record 7-17 - leading hitter Matt Serna 89 AB .348 3 doubles 2 triples - leading pitcher Michael Heesch 36 IP 1-4 6.25 ERA

Western Illinois University - current record 7-16 - leading hitter Tom Lilja 91 AB .429 7 doubles 1 HR - leading pitcher Randon Lingle 33.1 IP 2-4 5.94 ERA




Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Shawnee Baseball Blanks Cobden 1-0


Tyler Gidwell drove in the only run of the game in the first inning with a sac fly and Greg Smith did the rest on the hill as Smith struck out six allowing on two hits and no runs as Shawnee blanks Cobden 1-0.  Shawnee is now 5-2 on the season.

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Southern Illinois Miners Baseball Signs Todd Martin

Baseball in Illinois News

The Miners have signed former Rockford RiverHawk 1B Todd Martin.  In 2009 the former Cleveland minor leaguer had his season cut short by a wrist injury.  Martin hit .343 with five homers and 27 rbi's in 31 games with Rockford before the injury ended his season.  In 2007 with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (a Cleveland affiliate) Todd hit .360 and won the New York-Penn league batting title 





Cubs Thumped on Opening Day in Atlanta


Baseball in Illinois News

The Chicago Cubs felt comfortable with having Carlos Zambrano take the hill for the seventh straight opening day...well at least up until the Braves came to bat in the first.  Zambrano was lit up by the braves giving up eight runs on six hits in 1 1/3rd innings as the Braves thumped the Cubs 16-5.  About the only bright spot for the Cubs was the a three run dinger by Marlon Byrd in the first.





Monday, April 5, 2010

Cubs Finalize Opening Day Roster


The Chicago Cubs finalized their opening day roster Sunday by adding pitcher James Russell and infielder Chad Tracy while placing Ted Lilly and Angel Guzman on the disabled list.  Below is the current 25 man roster for opening day.

Pitchers
64 Justin Berg
33 Esmailin Caridad 46 Ryan Dempster 32 Tom Gorzelanny 43 John Grabow 49 Carlos Marmol 45 Sean Marshall
40 James Russell
29 Jeff Samardzija 52 Carlos Silva 36 Randy Wells 38 Carlos Zambrano


Catchers
55 Koyie Hill
18 Geovany Soto


Infielders
28 Jeff Baker
17 Mike Fontenot
25 Derrek Lee
16 Aramis Ramirez
2 Ryan Theriot
9 Chad Tracy
 Outfielders
24 Marlon Byrd
21 Tyler Colvin
1 Kosuke Fukudome
22 Xavier Nady
12 Alfonso Soriano





Aurora University Baseball Coach Sean Neitzel Reaches 200 Victories


Aurora University Spartan baseball coach Shaun Neitzel earned his 200th career victory with the Spartans 15-9 win over North Central College on Wednesday, March 31, 2010.

With the victory, Neitzel is the third AU baseball coach to surpass 200 wins and is third all-time in wins behind former Spartan coaches Jim Schmidt (245 wins) and current AU athletic director Mark Walsh (320).


In his eighth season as the Head Coach of the Spartan baseball program, Neitzel holds a 200-112-2 (.640) record. His Spartans won back-to-back titles in the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference in 2005 and 2006. Neitzel is a two time recipient of the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference Baseball Coach-of-the-Year award (2005 and 2006) and a two time recipient of the ABCA Central Region Coach-of-the-Year.





Sunday, April 4, 2010

Minooka Tops Lockport For WJOL Baseball Tourney Title

Josh Jimenez starting only for the second time for the Minooka varsity earned the victory going six innings allowing four hits and one earned run as Minooka defeats Lockport 5-2 to capture the WJOL tourament title at Joliet's Silver Cross Field on Saturday night.

Minooka broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth as catcher Nick Capodice doubled and Dan Cooper brought Capodice in with an rbi single and Blaise Grebic homered to put Minooka up 5-2. 

Minooka becomes the first back-to-back champions of the WJOL tourney and brings their record up to 9-1 on the season.





Michael Corrigan and Peter Sparcino Named CCIW Baseball Players of the Week

Michael Corrigan from North Central College and Peter Sparcino were named College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Baseball Players of the Week for the week ending March 30, 2010.

Corrigan, a junior catcher from St. Charles North High School, hit .545 with two home runs, four doubles and 11 rbi's and 8 runs scored for North Central last week.

Sparcino, a junior pitcher from Shurz High School, pitched a complete game going 9 innings giving up only four hits and one earned run for North Park in a victory against Wisconsin-Superior.