Illinois NJCAA Division III Top Returning Baseball Players for 2012

Below are the 2012 top returning baseball players from Illinois division III junior colleges.


Pitcher Dan Hoppel, Harper College, Dan went 0-1 with a 4.29 ERA in 42 innings last year.

Pitcher Scott Plaza, Harper College, Scott was 4-5 with a 4.62 ERA in 62 and 2/3rds innings in 2011.

Pitcher Trevor Vermillion, Joliet JC, Trevor was 6-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 30 innings last season.

Shortstop Cole Jule, Joliet JC, Cole hit .319 with 19 rbi's last year.

Outfielder Dan Eliopulos, Joliet JC, Dan hit .384 with 36 rbi's in 2011.

Outfielder Mark Kasper, Joliet JC, Mark hit .321 with 22 rbi's and 10 stolen bases last year.

Outfielder Trey Russel, Joliet JC, Trey hit .355 with a homer and 31 rbi's in 2011.

Catcher Ryan Burne, Rock Valley, Ryan hit .325 with a homer and 9 rbi's last year.

DH Ryan Scarpetta, Rock Valley, Ryan hit .330 with 4 homers and 18 rbi's in 2011.

Second baseman Mitch Schnulle, Waubonsee CC, Mitch hit .309 with 8 rbi's and 8 stolen bases last year.

Bolton and Cunzalo Earn Northern Athletics Conference Baseball Players of the Week

Dominican University baseball players Sean Bolton and Lenny Cunzalo were both named Northern Athletics Conference Players of the Week for their performances last week.

Bolton takes home the Pitcher of the week honors going five and 1/3rd innings giving up one run and striking out seven and picking up his first victory of the season.  Sean is from Nazareth Academy and lives in Western Springs Illinois.

Cunzalo earned the Position Player of the Week after going 3-7 with a double, a triple and five rbi's over the weekend.  Lenny attended St. Patrick HS and lives in Chicago Illinois.

ISU Baseball's Dakota Bakus Named Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week

Indiana State University's Dakota Bakus was named the Missouri Valley Conference baseball Pitcher of the week.

Bakus earned Indiana State it's first win of the season by throwing a complete game shutout against Western Illinois last Friday.  Dakota had a no-no into the fifth inning, struck out nine and allowed only two infield singles.

Dakota is a transfer from Southeastern Illinois Community College and lives in Moline Illinois.

2012 Frontier Baseball League Tryouts

The 2012 Frontier League tryouts will be held on Monday April 30 and Tuesday May 1 2012 at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington Pennsylvania which is the home of the Washington Wild Things.

All 14 Independent Frontier League teams will be represented at the tryouts along with Major League Baseball scouts.

Registration will begin at 8:00 am and the workouts begin at 9:00 am on April 30th.

Advance registration is available on the Frontier League website which is listed below.

Illinois Independent Frontier League teams include the Southern Illinois Miners, Gateway Grizzlies, Joliet Slammers, Normal CornBelters, Rockford RiverHawks, Shaumburg Boomers and the Windy City ThunderBolts.

2012 Frontier League Tryouts

Tyler Deetjen Named Pitcher of the Week in Horizon League Baseball

Left handed pitcher Tyler Deetjen from Valparaiso University was named Horizon League Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the period ending February 19, 2012.

Deetjen pitched seven scoreless innings in Valpo's season opening win against Murray State.  Deetjen, who left the game in the with a 2-0 lead and finished with no decision, gave up four hits striking out four and walking one. 

Tyler is a senior from St. Charles Illinois and attended St. Charles East HS.

NJCAA Division I Baseball Top Returning Position Players from Illinois

The NJCAA Division I baseball top returning position players from Illinois Junior Colleges.


Catcher Josh Meade, John A. Logan, Josh hit .294 last season.

DH Kyle McHugh, John A. Logan, Klye hit .301 with 6 homers and 51 rbi's in 2011.

Catcher Phil Pupillo, John A. Logan, Phil hit .288 with a homer and 16 rbi's last year.

Outfielder Tyler Mikrut, John A. Logan, Tyler hit .280 with 8 homers and 23 rbi's last season.

Catcher/DH Cameron Sloan, Kaskaskia, Cameron hit .369 with 2 homers and 29 rbi's last year.

Infielder Steve Todoschuk, Kaskaskia, Steve hit .389 with 2 home runs and drove in 39.

Utility player Cody Schmitt, Onley Central, Cody hit .420 with 46 rbi's last season.

First baseman Derek Peterson, Onley Central, Derek hit .385 with 3 homers and drove in 54 last year.

Catcher Nate Ruzich, South Suburban, Nate hit .318 and drove in 41 last year.

Second baseman Luis Bruno, Southeastern Illinois, Luis hit .320 with 3 homers and 23 rbi's.

Outfielder Brian Doll, Southeastern Illinois, Brian hit .352 with 3 home runs in 2011.

Third baseman Cody Daily, Southeastern Illinois, Cody hit .348 with 6 homers last year.

Second baseman Marshall Vallandingham, Southeastern Illinois, Marshall hit .351 with 35 rbi's in 2011.

Shortstop Gabriel Roa, Wabash Valley, Gabriel hit .500 with a homer and 35 rbi's last year.

First baseman Jeff Jackson, Wabash Valley, Jeff hit .364 with 7 homers and 45 rbi's last season.

Outfielder Korey Hall, Wabash Valley, Korey hit .327 with 18 rbi's in 2011.

Bucciferro and Kraveta Named Big Ten Baseball Players of the Week

Two baseball players from the state of Illinois have been named Big Ten Players of the Week for the first week of the 2012 Division I baseball season.

Pitcher Tony Bucciferro from Michigan State earned Co-Pitcher of the Week honors throwing six scoreless innings beating nationally ranked St. John's last Friday.  Tony retired the first 13 batters in a row, allowed only one hit and struck out six.  Bucciferro is from Minooka HS and lives in Joliet Illinois.

Illinois pitcher John Kravetz shared Co-Freshman of the Week honors by throwing 6 2/3rd's shutout innings against St. John's to lead Illinois to a win in their final game in the Big Ten/Big East Challenge.  Kravetz allowed two hits and struck out six.  Kravetz attended Mt. Carmel HS and lives in Lansing Illinois.

Northwestern's outfielder Luke Dauch shared Co-Freshman of the Week honors

by hitting safely in all three games at the Big Ten/Big East Challenge.  Luke hit .714 with a double and a triple.

NJCAA Division I Baseball Northern District Top Returning Pitchers from Illinois

Below is the 2012 top returning pitchers from NJCAA Division I baseball teams in Illinois.


Dave Suarez, John A. Logan College, Dave was 9-2 with a 3.91 ERA in 71 and 1/3rd innings last season.

Sean Buchholz, John A. Logan College, Sean went 5-3 with a 3.02 ERA in 59 and 2/3rds in 2011.

Josh Dove, Lincoln Trail College, Josh was 1-2 with a 2.48 ERA in 29 innings last year.

Jaden Widdersheim, Olney Central College, Jaden went 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 33 innings in 2011.

Conner Porter, Olney Central College, Conner was 2-1 with a 1.13 ERA in 16 innings last year.

Matt Pobereyko, South Suburban, Matt went 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA in 15 innings last season.

Justin Kittel, Southeastern Illinois, Justin was 0-1 with a 3.79 ERA in 19 innings in 2011.

Dalton Froman, Southeastern Illinois, Dalton went 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 30 1/3rd innings last season.

Darrin Vestring, Wabash Valley, Darrin was 7-1 with a 2.37 ERA in 30 and 1/3rd innings in 2011.

Illinois Division I Baseball Weekend Recap

A recap from the opening weekend for division I baseball teams from Illinois.

Bradley went 1-2 in their opening weekend capturing a wind against Kennesaw and losing twice to Virginia Tech.  The Braves one win came from John Nasshan who went 6 2/3rd's innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and struck out four.  Danny Gifford picked up his first save of the season while Max Murphy hit the first home run of his career.





Chicago State opens their 2012 season February 24th against Texas Southern in Houston Texas.

Eastern Illinois came home 1-1 defeating Mississippi Valley State and losing to Jackson State.  Christian Slaznik picked up the win going six innings and striking out six.  Jacob Reese went 3-4 with a double and an rbi and David Ciaglia went 2-4 with a double and a home run.

Illinois came up 1-2 beating St. John's and losing to Notre Dame and Louisville.  John Kravetz earned the win in relief after coming in the game in the 1st inning with one out.  Kravetz went 6 2/3rd's allowing no runs on two hits and striking out 6.  Davis Henderson went 3-5 with an rbi, Kelly Norris-Jones was 2-4 and Brandon Hohl went 2-4 with a home run.

Illinois State came home 1-3 winning the final against Austin Peay 10-1.  Matt Schmitt earned the win going 4 innings and not allowing a run.  Kyle Stanton went 4-5 at the plate and Eric Aguilera hit a three run homer.

Northern Illinois came back 0-3 losing all three to Tennessee.  Alex Beckman went 5-11 with a double and an rbi to lead the Huskies.  Zach Badgley threw 3.1 innings giving up 1 hit and no runs.

Northwestern wound up 1-2 over the weekend beating Pittsburgh but losing to West Virginia and Seton Hall.  Brandon Magallones picked up the win going 4 innings giving up 3 runs and Kyle Ruchim earned the save striking out all three batters in the ninth.  Paul Snieder was 2-5 with 4 rbi's, Luke Dauch went 2-2 with a triple, a double and 2 rbi's and Klye Ruchim went 2-6 with 3 rbi's.

Southern Illinios Edwardsville went 2-1 against Memphis in their opening weekend.  Travis Felax earned the first win going five innings giving up 4 hits and no earned runs.  Devin Caldwell went 2-4 and drove in 2, Adam McClain was 3-4 with an rbi.  In the series final, Brian Lorenz earned the win in relief going 3 1/3rd giving up two hits and no runs.  Thad Hawkins earned the save.  Zach Hawkins was 3-4 with 4 rbi's, Travis Becherer went 5-6 with an rbi.

Southern Illinois Carbondale took 2 out of 3 from North Florida.  Sam Coonrod earned the win in relief and Todd Eaton earned the save.  Austin Montgomery homered going 2-4, Zach Duschinsky also went 2-4.  In the series final Austin Montgomery went 3-5 with 5 rbi's, Zach Duschinsky went 3-6 with a homer, Rennie Troggio went 2-5 with 3 rbi's and Chris Serritella was 3-3 with two doubles.

UIC lost all three against Texas A&M.  In the rough weekend against A&M the Flames only scored two runs and gave up 26.  Alex De Larosa had the lone rbi over the weekend.  Chris Hoffman and Tim Suminski both threw scoreless innings.

Western Illinois finished their opening weekend 1-3 against Georgia State.  Earning the win was Rich Mascheri going 7 innings with no runs on four hits.  Dan Dispensa went 3-3 with 3 rbi's, Austin Cowen was 3-4 with 2 rbi's, Jameson Henning 3-4 and scored 3 times.

Division I Baseball Opens Today - Schedule for Teams from Illinois

The Division I baseball schedule gets underway today and below is the schedule for teams from Illinois.


Notre Dame takes on Illinois at 1:45 pm in Dunedin Florida

West Virginia beat Northwestern 7-3 in St. Petersburg Florida.  Nick Line was 3-4 at the plate and Zach Morton took the loss for Northwestern.

UIC takes on #5 Texas Tech at 7:30 pm in Texas.

Northern Illinois plays Tennessee at Tennessee at 4:00 pm

Bradley lost it's first game 6-4 to Virginia Tech in Georgia, plays Kennesaw State at 4:00 pm.  Curtis Bunch went 2-4 with an rbi and Greg Partyka went 1-3 with a double and two rbi's for Bradley in game one.

Illinois State plays Austin Peay at 4:00 pm at Austin Peay.

Southern Illinois Carbondale takes on North Florida in Florida at 6:00 pm.

Eastern Illinois plays Mississippi Valley State at 4:00 pm in Jackson MS.

SIU Edwardsville takes on Memphis at 6:00 pm in Memphis.

Western Illinois plays Georgia State at 4:00 pm in Georgia. 

Illinois State Baseball Picked to Finish 5th in the MVC

In the annual poll by Missouri Valley coaches Illinois State is picked to finish 5th in 2012.  Missouri State who returns seven position players and seven pitchers from last years squad.

Coaches Preseason Poll:
1. Missouri State
2. Creighton
3. Wichita State
4. Indiana State
5. Illinois State
6. Southern Illinois
7. Bradley
8. Evansville

Illinois State returns five starters which include Kevin Tokarski who was an honorable mention All-MVC last year.  On the mound closer Kenny Long will also be back for 2012.

Southern Illinois Carbondale has eight position players and two starting pitchers returning for 2012.  Also back is slugger Chris Serritella who was injured in 2011.

Bradley brings back seven position players and eight pitchers including starter Joe Bircher.

Players from Illinois on The 2012 All-MVC Preseason Team:
Chris Serritella, Southern Illinois
Mike Hollenbeck, Illinois State
Mike Gerber, Creighton
Jordan Sivertsen, Southern Illinois
Mike Tauchman, Bradley
Kenny Long, Illinois State

RiverHawks Baseball Announces 2012 Coaching Staff

The Rockford RiverHawks Independent baseball club announced their coaching for the 2012 season. 

RiverHawks Manager Rich Austin

Returning as manager is Richard Austin, who starts his second season as RiverHawks manager after playing for the the Rockford from 2002-2004 and again in 2010.  Rockford finished last season with 37-59 record.

Rockford will also bring back both assistant coaches from last season, hitting coach Patrick O'Sullivan and pitching coach Scott Roehl.  All three coaches finished their playing careers with the RiverHawks in 2010.

The RiverHawks will add an additional coach this season Justin Small.  Small is an assistant coach for Rockford Boylan HS.

Rockford is looking to improve on their last place finish along with being last in the league in pitching in 2011.

Aurora University Baseball Picked to Win the NAC for 2012

Aurora University baseball is picked to win the 2012 Northern Athletics Conference by D3Baseball.com.

Returning for Aurora are two D3Baseball.com Third Team All-Americans, senior outfielder Josh Davidson and DH Mike Foley.  Also returning for the Spartans is NAC Co-Pitcher of the Year Drew Gay.

Concordia Illinois looks to be as good as Aurora in 2012 with the NAC Position Player of the Year catcher Nick Skala.  Skala was drafted in the 37th round by the Orioles but returned to school.  Also returning are All-American outfielder Cam Stevens and outfielder Dan Eichholzer.

Illinois Benedictine returns seven position players and five pitchers for 2012.  Head baseball coach John Ostrowski is looking for his 900th win this season.  Coach Ostrowski begins his 39th season at Benedictine.

Rockford returns two All-Conference players with infielder Jimmy Dercks and outfielder/infielder Ryne Billesbach.

Midwest Collegiate Baseball League Adds Seventh Team - Illinois Lincolns

The Midwest Collegiate Baseball League announced that the Illinois Lincolns will join the league for this summer.  The Illinois Lincolns are from Will County and will play their home games at Joliet Junior College.

The Lincolns join the Dekalb County Liners, Dupage Hounds, Rockford Foresters, Will County CrakerJacks, Chicago Zephers and the Southland Vikings.  An 8th club is also expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Midwest Collegiate League was formed in 2010 and is quickly becoming one of the most notable summer collegiate leagues in the Midwest.

Illinois Baseball Players Named to the 2012 NCBWA Division II Preseason All-Region Team

Two baseball players at Illinois schools have been named to the NCBWA Division II preseason All-Region Team in the Midwest Region.


Senior outfielder Mike Bolling from Lewis University was named to the First Team of the Midwest Region.  Mike is a transfer from Triton College, attended Guerin Prep HS and lives in Chicago Illinois.  Bolling led the conference in stolen bases last season with 31.


Senior closer Brian Thompson from Quincy University was named to the NCBWA Second Team of the Midwest Region.  Brian went to Monmouth-Roseville HS and lives in Monmouth Illinois.  Thompson led the nation in saves last season with 16. 

2012 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin(CCIW) Baseball Preview

Illinois Wesleyan and North Park finished on top of the CCIW in 2011 and Wesleyan returns all but two position players for 2012. 

Illinois Wesleyan has finished on top of the CCIW three of the last five years and returns with All-American first baseman Kevin Callahan and All-Region players Jon Erickson, Bobby Czarnowski and A.J. Nathan.

North Park lost their starting outfield and all but one starting infielder, All-Region third baseman Ryan Javich.  2011 All-Conference picks Eric Sousanes and Brad Medina will also add leadership for North Park in 2012.

Wheaton College returns All-Region players Trey Martin and Justin Zeller.  Between the two they hit 17 home runs and drove in 79 last year.

Augustana returns their most outstanding pitcher, Jared McIntosh.  McIntosh was a first team All-CCIW in 2011 and went 4-0 with a 2.68 era.  Joing McIntosh is closer Josiah Martin and infielder Joe Cecchi.

North Central also lost it's starting outfield to graduation but three year starter Steve Hlavac will return to the outfield after an injury in 2011.

Elmhurst returns fifth year senior infielder Zach Hofer who is also the teams closer.  Second team All-Region sophomore Dave Wolek and Gold Glove infielder Brian Evans also return for the Blue Jays.

Milikin returns infielder Theo Facer, .345, 8 doubles, and outfielder Dan Weber .272, 18 rbi's.

Quincy University Baseball Tabbed as GLVC West Favorite for 2012

Quincy University baseball, along with Southern Indiana, has been chosen as the favorite to win the Great Lakes Valley Conference for 2012.  Quincy earned 114 points in the voting and is the clear favorite in the West Division ranking ahead of Drury.  The University of Illinois at Springfield was picked to finish last in the West.

Quincy finished 2011 capturing the GLVC Tournament Title and advanced to the NCAA Division II national tournament for the first time since 2006.  Quincy finished the 2011 season with a 35-20 record.

Illinois Baseball Players in Horizon League Preview for 2012

Below are the Illinois baseball players mentioned by responding coaches for the Horizon League preview.

Voted as the most underated pitcher in the Horizon League is Tyler Deetjen from Valparaiso.  Deetjen is a 6'3" LHP from St. Charles East HS and lives in St. Charles Illinois.  Tyler threw 103 innings last season going 4-7 with a 4.19 ERA.

Voted with the best outfield arm is UIC junior Nick Addison.  Nick attened Fremd HS and lives in Barrington Illinois.

Top High School Baseball Players to Watch in Illinois for 2012

Below is a list of the top high school baseball players to watch in Illinois for 2012.  The list includes players that made All-State teams, nominated by their head coach or another coach or who were reported as signing or committing in the fall to a college team.

P Aaron Michel, St. Teresa
C Adam McGinnis, Normal West
IF Adam Walton, Stevenson
P/OF Alex Jefferson, Normal West
LHP Alex Young, Carmel Catholic
P Anton Schrader, Dee-Mack
IF Benjamin Tabb, Kenwood Academy
C Blake Hickman, Simeon
P Booby Kuntzendorf, Aurora Christian
OF Brady Wilkin, Providence Catholic
P Brandon Magallones, Providence Catholic
IF Brett Chappell, Rock Falls
P Brett Lick, Marian Catholic
IF Brian Sisler, Dekalb
OF Cannance King, Harlan Academy
C Chris Hall, New Trier
IF Danny Seiton, Batavia
IF Devin Pickett, Marian Catholic
P Eddie Delavira, St. Rita of Cascia
P Eric Scheuermann, Palatine
OF Jack Czeszewski, Elk Grove
IF Jack Landwehr, Prospect
C Jack Picchiotti, Oak Park River Forest
IF Jacob Stewart, Mt. Zion
IF Jake Walters, St. John Vianney
IF Jalen-Romell Parks, Kenwood Academy
C Jason Goldstein, Highland Park
C Johnny Zubek, Oak Forest
P Jon Kunpfert, Peoria Notre Dame
P Jordan Crawford, Evanston
P/IF Jordan Ruckman, Herscher
C Keith Lehmann, Lyons
P Kevin Duchene, Joliet Catholic
P Kevin Elder, Westminster Christian
IF Kevin Ross, Niles West
P Kyle Funkhouser, Oak Forest
IF/OF Matt Buck, Peoria Notre Dame
P Matt James, Normal West
P Matt Scholtz, Oswego East
P Mike Lutz, Lake Zurich
OF Mitch Holtz, Aurora Christian
P Nick Altobella, St. Laurence
P Nick Blackburn, Nequa Valley
P Nick Hedge, New Trier
P Nick McCarty, Catherdral
IF Nick Roscetti, Williamsville
P Patrick Bellinger, Schaumburg
P Peter Resnick, Glenbrook North
P Robby Nunn, Marian Catholic
P Ryan Borucki, Mundelein
IF Ryan Broucki, Fenwick
IF/P Ryan Koziol, Providence Catholic - transfer from Brother Rice
OF/IF Ryan Nagle, Streator
P Ryan Olson, Newman Central Catholic
RHP/LHP Ryan Perez, Westminster Christian
IF Ryne Roper, Harrisburg
IF Sam Kint, Mount Carmel
P Scott Thomas, St. Rita of Cascia
OF Shane Brown, Simeon
IF Stephano Belmonte, St. Rita of Cascia
IF Steve Hellenbach, Lyons
P/OF Sully Stadler, Glenbrook South
IF Tommy Hook, Lockport
P Tyler Jay, Lemont
IF/P Tyler Leffler, Benton
P Tyler McGowan, Harrisburg
IF Wes Sery, Normal West
C Zach Little, Washington
C/IF Zach Soria, St. Rita of Cascia
C Zach Stoner, Rockford Boylan
OF/P Zak Kutsulis, Providence Catholic

Illinois Baseball Players on the 2012 NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List

Baseball players from Illinois on the National College Baseball Writers Association 2012 Stopper of the Year Watch List.  The following players are on the short list of 45 total relief pitchers from across the nation.


Senior Kyle Glancy from Northern Illinois, Kyle had 12 saves in 24 appearances in 2011.  Glancy attended Oak Park River Forest HS and lives in Oak Park Illinois.

Senior Kenny Long from Illinois State, Kenny recorded 15 saves and had a 0.92 ERA last season.  Kenny went to Dundee Crown HS and lives in Fox River Grove Illinois.