NCAA Division III Baseball All-Americans from Illinois

D3Baseball.com announced the 2012 NCAA Division III All-American baseball team yesterday and below are the players from Illinois.

First Team All-American
3B Kevin Callahan, Illinois Wesleyan.  The junior infielder hit .355 with 17 doubles, 11 home runs and drove in 54.  Kevin is from Brother Rice HS and lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Second Team All-American
3B Anthony Even from Concordia.  Even hit .432 with 22 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers and 38 rbi's.  Anthony is from West Leyden HS and lives in Franklin Park, Illinois.

Pitcher Drew Gay from Aurora University.  Drew went 8-0 with a 1.63 ERA in 77 1/3rd innings, struck out 67 and walked 16 for the Spartans.  Drew is from Marquette HS and lives in Marseilles, Illinois.

Third Team All-American
3B Tim Mackey, Aurora, Tim hit .391 with 5 homers, 19 doubles, 2 triples and drove in 32.  Tim is from East Leyden HS and lives in Rosemont, Illinois

Utility player Drew Golz from Wheaton College, Drew hit .404 with 4 homers, 12 doubles and on the mound Golz went 8-2 with a 2.52 ERA.  Drew attended Oak Park-River Forest HS and lives in River Forest, Illinois.

Honorable Mention
Pitcher Nick Soldano from North Park, Nick went 9-2 with a 3.12 ERA in 101 innings.  Nick is from Zion-Benton HS and lives in Lake Zurich, Illinois.

D3Baseball.com's 2012 All-Central Region Team

D3Baseball.com announced the 2012 All-Central Region baseball team and below are the players from Illinois who made each team.

Player of the Year
Kevin Callahan, 3B, Jr., Illinois Wesleyan, Chicago, Illinois

Pitcher of the Year
Nick Soldano, Jr., North Park, Lake Zurich, Illinois

First Team All-Central Region
Catcher Mike Nodzenski, Grinnel, Naperville, Illinois
1B Trey Martin, Wheaton, Wheaton, Illinois
SS Jordan Jaenicke, Beloit, Bourbonnais, Illinois
3B Kevin Callahan, Illinois Wesleyan, Chicago, Illinois
OF Terry Davis, Illinois College, Bloomington, Illinois
Util Drew Golz, Wheaton, River Forest, Illinois
SP Nick Soldano, North Park, Lake Zurich, Illinois
SP Steve Kuligowski, North Park, Grayslake, Illinois

Second Team All-Central Region
2B Justin Swinder, Wheaton, Wheaton, Illinois
OF Jack Cinoman, Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
OF Kyle Billig, Washington U., Lockport, Illinois
OF Matt McDermott, Illinois Wesleyan, Tinley Park, Illinois
DH Alex Kazmierski, Webster, Orland Park, Illinois
SP Eric Rohe, Carthage, Mundelein, Illinois
SP Alex Norman, Beloit, Elburn, Illinois

Third Team All-Central Region
OF Dave Wolak, Elmhurst, Carol Stream, Illinois
OF Matt Rice, North Park, Park Ridge, Illinois
SP Paul Krenger, Dubuque, Chicago, Illinois
RP Andrew Kelley, Grinnell, Springfield, Illinois

Illinois Baseball Players Make the D3Baseball.com 2012 PreSeason All-American Team

The Illinois baseball players that have been named to the D3Baseball.com 2012 Preseason All-American Team.

First Team All-Americans:

Catcher Mike Nodzenski from Grinnel College hit .465 with 12 home runs, 11 doubles and 47 rbi's in 2011.  Mike is from Naperville North HS and lives in Naperville Illinois.

DH/Outfielder Cam Stevens from Concordia University Chicago hit .453 with 4 homers, 19 doubles and 45 rbi's last season.  Stevens attended East Leyden HS and lives in Rosemont Illinois.

3B/Pitcher Trey Martin from Wheaton College went 4-5 with a 2.93 ERA on the mound and at the plate Trey hit .362 with 8 homers, 3 triples, 11 doubles and had 36 rbi's in 2011.  Trey went to Wheaton North HS and lives in Wheaton Illinois.

Second Team All-Americans:

Outfielder Josh Davidson from Aurora University hit .429 last season with the Spartans.  Josh is from Cypress California.


Honorable Mention:

Catcher Nick Skala, Concordia University Chicago

1B Kevin Callahan, Illinois Wesleyan

Outfielder Justin Zeller, Wheaton College

2012 Top Division III Baseball Players From Illinois Teams

NCAA Division III top baseball players to watch from Illinois D3 teams in 2012 as selected by Division III coaches across the U.S.

Left Handed Pitchers:

Kevin Crowley from Illinois Benedictine - Kevin went 4-0 with a 3.49 ERA in 2011.

Nick Mehn, Illinois Wesleyan - Nick was 7-2 with a 3.56 ERA in nine starts last season.

Nick Soldano and Steve Kuligowski from North Park, Nick was 5-1 with a 3.91 ERA and Steve went 7-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 2011.

Right Handed Pitchers:

Drey Gay, Aurora - Drew went 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA in 79 1/3 innings last season.

Joe Sweeney, Illinois Wesleyan - Joe was 6-5 with 3.33 ERA in 78 1/3 innings in 2011.

Catchers:

AJ Nathan, Illinois Wesleyan - Nathan hit .321 with 2 homers, 10 doubles and 67 rbi's last season.

Tom Higgins, Illinois Benedictine - Tom hit .317 with 7 doubles and 50 rbi's in 2011.

First Baseman:

Brett Van Asdlen, Aurora - Brett hit 6 homers while batting .292 with 46 rbi's last season.

Kevin Callahan, Illinois Wesleyan - Kevin hit .398 with 15 home runs, 11 doubles and 51 rbi's in 2011.

Tim Gindville, Illinois Benedictine - Tim hit .290 with 5 doubles and 24 rbi's last year.

Second Baseman:

Brian Evans, Elmhurst College - Brian hit .319 with 7 doubles in 2011.

Third Baseman:

Ryan Javech, North Park - Ryan only played in 4 games in 2011 and hit .118.

Jon Erickson, Illinois Wesleyan - Jon hit .368 with 11 doubles and 24 rbi's in 2011.

Tim Mackey, Aurora - Tim hit .357 with 7 doubles, 2 triples and 27 rbi's last season.

Shortstops:

Zach Hofer, Elmhurst - Zach hit .372 with 4 homers, 14 doubles and 34 rbi's in 2011.

Outfielders:

Josh Davidson, Aurora - Josh hit .429 with 3 homers, 2 triples and 35 rbi's last season.

Justin Zeller, Wheaton College - Justin hit .355 with 9 homers, 11 doubles, 3 triples and 36 rbi's in 2011.

Kevin Hendricks, Illinois Benedictine - Kevin hit .386 with 3 homers, 11 doubles and 44 rbi's last season.

Mike Foley, Aurora - Foley hit .362 with 4 homers, 6 triples and 14 doubles in 2011.

Ryan Adams, Aurora - Ryan hit .369 with 3 homers, 9 doubles and 36 rbi's last season.

Designated Hitters and Multi-Position Players:

Austin Driggers, Wheaton College - Austin hit .353 with 2 homers, 11 doubles and 43 rbi's in 2011.

Bobby Czarnowski, Illinois Wesleyan - Bobby hit .315 with 5 homers, 6 doubles and 29 rbi's last season.

Brad Medina, North Park - Brad hit .329 with 8 homers, 4 doubles and 24 rbi's in 2011.

Trey Martin, Wheaton College - Trey hit .362 with 8 homers, 11 doubles and 36 rbi's at the plate and went 4-5 with a 2.93 ERA in 73 2/3 innings last season.

Illinois Baseball Players Named to Division 3 All-American Teams

Below are players from Division III Illinois baseball teams that were voted onto the D3baseball.com 2011 All-American team.

Second Team:
DH -  Cam Stephens, Concordia University Illinois, East Leyden High School

Third Team:
OF - Josh Davidson, Aurora University, Cypress CA
IF -  Mike Foley, Aurora University, Joliet Catholic Academy
P - Jason Pankau, Illinois Wesleyan, York High School

Honorable Mention:
1B - Kevin Callahan, Illinois Wesleyan, Brother Rice High School

Illinois Wesleyan Last Illinois Team Left in Division III Baseball Tournament

The Illinois Wesleyan Titans are fighting to stay alive in the Central Regional of the NCAA Division III Baseball National Tournament. 

Illinois Wesleyan, last years National Champion, moved into the losers bracket after a 7-1 loss to Buena Vista yesterday.  The Titans will now play Ripon at 10:00 am today looking to stay alive in the tourney.

The only other Illinois Division III team, Aurora University, fell out of the National Tourney with an 8-3 loss to St. Thomas yesterday.

Concordia, North Park Ranked in Latest Division III Baseball Polls

In the latest Division III national baseball polls both Concordia University and North Park University earn spots on the poll for Illinois teams.  Augustana, who was ranked 13th has dropped off of the national poll as of April 25th.

Concordia (23-5) is ranked at #20

North Park (24-7) is ranked at #25

Illinois Wesleyan and Augustana did receive votes but did not make the rankings this week.

Division III Baseball Standings in Illinois

Current records and conference standings for division 3 baseball teams in Illinois as of today.

College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin
Augustana 3-0  (13-2 overall)
Illinois Wesleyan 3-0 (11-4 overall)
North Central 2-1 (8-5 overall)
North Park 1-2 (14-5 overall)
Elmhurst 0-3 (10-5 overall)
Wheaton 0-3 (8-11 overall)
Millikin 0-3 (4-13 overall)

Northern Athletics Conference
Concordia Chicago 2-0 (12-4 overall)
Aurora University 2-0 (10-5 overall)
Rockford College 2-0 (6-7 overall)
Benedictine University 1-1 (7-8 overall)
Dominican University 1-1 (4-13 overall)

St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Principia College 3-3 (9-6 overall)
Blackburn College 4-4 (6-15 overall)
Greenville College 1-1 (2-14 overall)
MacMurray College 1-5 (3-12 overall)
Eureka College 0-5 (4-13 overall)

Midwest Conference
Grinnell College 2-0 (6-11 overall)
Illinois College 1-1 (13-6 overall)
Monmouth 1-1 (9-6 overall)
Knox College 0-2 (4-11 overall)

University Athletic Association
University of Chicago 0-0 (8-5 overall)

Illinois Wesleyan Baseball Picked to Win CCIW Title in 2011

In the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) pre-season poll, Illinois Wesleyan was predicted to win the conference title in 2011.

The defending National Champion Titans (31-21, 12-9) finished fourth in the CCIW last season and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA D3 regional.

Voting is tabulated from the conference coaches, each coach has seven votes and cannot vote for their own team.

2011 Pre-Season CCIW Poll:

1. Illinois Wesleyan
2. Carthage
3. North Central
4. Wheaton
5. Augustana
6. North Park
7. Milikin
8. Elmhurst

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

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)

 

Illinois Wesleyan Baseball Wins NCAA Division III World Series

When Illinois Wesleyan lost to SUNY Cortland 11-10 on Monday it wound up setting up a winner take all championship game between the two teams on Tuesday. 

Illinois Wesleyan left no doubt on Tuesday capturing the Division III World Series 17-5 over SUNY Cortland and giving the Titans and the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin their first Baseball National Championship.

After Cortland scored a pair of runs early, Illinois Wesleyan scored one in the second, three in the third, four in the fourth and nine runs in the fifth to take a 17-2 lead after five innings.

Jeff Grodecki finished the day 5-5 with two homers, four runs scored and three rbi's.  The junior third baseman was named the tournament's "Most Outstanding Player".  Grodecki was joined on the all-tournament team by senior first baseman Casey McIntosh, sophomore catcher Mark McDermott and junior pitcher Jason Pankau.

The Titans finished the season at 31-21 and with the 21 losses became the Division III with the most losses in a season.

 

Illinois Wesleyan Baseball Headed to 2010 D3 World Series

The Illinois Wesleyan Titans capturred the Central Region Championship with a 10-3 win over Buena Vista.  The Titans (27-20) will now move on to Appleton Wisconsin and play Shenandoah (38-8) at 7:45 pm on Friday May 28th.

Wesleyan catcher Mark McDemott was named the regional's "Most Outstanding Player", first baseman Casey McIntosh, pitcher Jason Pankau, third baseman Jeff Grodecki and outfielder Ryan Hopp all joined McDemott on the all-tournament team.

Jason Pankau (9-2, 2.67 ERA) has been listed as one of the 8 players to watch in the D3 Championship round.

 

North Central College Baseball Ranked #22

North Central College lands at #22 on the most current Division III Baseball poll dated May 2nd.  The Cardinals, who went 5-0 last week, improved their overall record to 28-5 and 15-3 in conference.  North Central is on the edge of capturing the CCIW crown with only a series against Illinois Wesleyan left on the conference schedule.

College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Baseball Players of the Week

Josh Weaver from Wheaton College and Jason Pankau both earn player of the week honors from the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

Weaver, a senior from Franklin Park, Ill., and East Leyden High School, helped lead Wheaton to a 3-1 record last week as he hit .417 (five-of-12), with a .565 on-base percentage, six RBI, three runs scored and four walks. Among Weaver's five base hits was four extra base hits (two doubles, a triple and a home run), recording a team-best 1.000 slugging percentage. In a 12-7 victory over Aurora on March 8, Weaver hit a home run, drove in a pair of runs, scored twice and drew two walks. In a 13-4 victory over Mount St. Mary (N.Y.) on March 9, Weaver belted a double and a triple with two RBI.

Pankau, a junior pitcher from Elmhurst, Ill., and York High School, pitched seven innings of shutout baseball in a 5-0 win over Rhodes on March 14, the Titans' first victory of the season. Pankau scattered seven hits and struck out nine while walking only three in seven innings against a team that came into the game with a 12-3 record.

 

Illinois Division III Baseball Results

Division III Baseball Scores from Friday and Saturday..

Saturday 2-28
North Park 13
Sewanee 10

Friday 2-27
Augustana 3
Farmingdale State 2
Nick Kujawa 2-4, double, rbi
Augustana starts season 3-0.

Rockford Baseball Picked to Win 2010 Northern Athletics Conference

Baseball in Illinois News

Based on the pre-season coaches poll the Rockford Regents Baseball team has been picked to win the Northern Athletics Conference for 2010.  Rockford received 131 overall votes with Aurora University and Concordia University Chicago finishing with 124 total votes.

The 2010 Northern Athletics Conference baseball tournament will be held at Road Ranger Stadium in Rockford Illinois and will include the top four teams in the conference.

North Central Baseball Picked to Finish Fifth in CCIW

Baseball in Illinois News

The North Central College baseball team has been picked to finish fifth in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin in 2010, according to the annual preseason poll of the CCIW's head coaches.


The Cardinals finished the 2009 season with an overall record of 11-25-1, and finished sixth in the final CCIW standings with a record of 7-13-1. North Central returns seven starters among its position players and nearly its entire pitching staff from last year's roster, including three All-Midwest Region selections in outfielder Matt Abraham, catcher Michael Corrigan, and first baseman/designated hitter Joe Turek. Corrigan and pitcher Mike Kloss both received All-CCIW recognition last season as well.

Illinois Wesleyan Baseball Tabbed to Finsh Second in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

Baseball in Illinois News

The Illinois Wesleyan baseball team has been tabbed to finish second in the annual College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) head coaches' poll, announced on Wednesday, February 10.


The Titans, who were 24-16 last year and 14-7 in conference play, received 42 points with two first place votes as the coaches picked Carthage to defend its 2009 league title, giving them five first place votes and a total of 47 points.


Among the key offensive returners for Illinois Wesleyan, the 2007 and 2008 CCIW champions, are senior second baseman Brett Moore and senior outfielders Mike Morrissey and Kraig Ladd.



Moore was second on the team with a .383 batting average and had 11 doubles, two home runs and a team-leading three triples. His team-best 64 hits is the seventh best in an Illinois Wesleyan single season.


Moore committed only four errors in 194 chances for a .979 fielding percentage.


Morrissey led the Titans with a .394 batting mark, the 18th best in an IWU single season. He had seven doubles, two home runs and drove home 23 runs. He also provided nine sacrifce bunts, third most in a Titan season.


Ladd, a second team ABCA/Rawlings all-region player in 2009, batted .340 with 10 doubles, 38 runs batted in and a team-high nine homers.


Jason Pankau (5-0, 4.73 ERA) Joe Froelich (5-3, 2.15 ERA), Paul Kabbes (3-2, 2.94 ERA) and Alex Tosi (4-0, 3.02 ERA) are among the top returning pitchers from 2009 and the Titans also return Brent Kulavic, who missed last season due to injury.


In 2008 the righthander was 6-1 with a 1.82 ERA, averaging 8.95 strikeouts per nine innings and was National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Central Region Pitcher of the Year, CCIW "Pitcher of the Year", a D3Baseball.com honorable mention All-American and an American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) first team All-Central Region selection.

College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin 2010 Baseball Pre-Season Poll

The league’s coaches tabbed Carthage as the favorite with 47 total points and five first place votes. Illinois Wesleyan was in second place with 42 total points and two first place votes while Wheaton was tabbed for third with 40 points and one first place vote.


2010 CCIW COACHES POLL
Rank/Team/Points/First Place Votes
1.Carthage 47 (5)
2.Illinois Wesleyan 42 (2)
3.Wheaton 40 (1)
4.Augustana 29
5.North Central 25
6.North Park 20
7.Millikin 11
8.Elmhurst 10