NCBWA Division II Midwest All-Region Team Selections from Illinois

The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association announced the NCAA Division II Midwest All-Region Team and below are the selections from Illinois Schools.


All-Midwest Region First Team
Utility player/DH Drake Austin, Quincy


All-Midwest Region Second Team
Outfielder Mike Bolling, Lewis

Division II Midwest Region Baseball Players to Watch from Illinois in 2012

Here are the division II baseball Midwest Region players to watch in 2012 who are from Illinois.  The list is selected by the ABCA All-American Baseball Committee chaired by Rudy Garbalosa of Lynn University.

Pre-Season All-Americans:

Outfielder Andrew Brauer, Lewis University, Andrew transferred from the College of Dupage, went to Montini HS and lives in Bolingbrook Illinois.

Outfielder Mike Bolling, Lewis University, Mike attended Guerin Prep HS and lives in Chicago Illinois.

RHP Brian Thompson, Quincy University, Brian went to Monmouth-Roseville HS and lives in Monmouth Illinois.

Players to Watch:

RHP Pat Lahey, Lewis University, Pat attended Downers Grove South HS and lives in Downers Grove Illinois.

Outfielder Mitchell Broughton, Quincy University, Mitchell went to Centralia HS and lives in Centralia Illinois.

RHP Eric Meyerchick, Saint Joseph's College, Eric went to TF South HS and lives in Lansing Illinois.

Newcomers to Watch:

Shortstop Mike Barajas, Lewis University, Mike is from Nazareth HS and lives in Chicago Illinois.

NCAA Division II Baseball Midwest Region 2011 Pre-Season All-Americans From Illinois

Division II Mid-West Region Pre-Season All-Americans prepared by the American Baseball Coaches Association's NCAA D2 All-American Baseball Committee.  Listed below are the players from Illinois.

Pre-Season All-Americans
3B/SS - Sean Estand, Saint Joseph's College, Eastern Illinois University, St. Rita High School, lives in Evergreen Park IL.  Sean led the Pumas with 12 home runs, hit .347, and stole 21 bases last season.

RHP - Eric Panick, Saint Joseph's College, St. Rita High School, lives in Chicago IL.  Eric went 4-1 with 1.38 ERA and struck out 42 in 39 innings last season.


Other Mid-West Region Players to Watch in 2011:

SS - Andrew Trepel, Grand Valley State University, Minooka High School, lives in Joliet, IL.

P/OF - Tyler Newsome, Lewis University, Marist High School, lives in Palos Heights, IL.

C - Justin Dunning, Quincy University, Wesclin High School, lives in Trenton, IL.

Quincy Baseball Splits With #5 Grand Valley State

Baseball in Illinois News

Quincy University split their doubleheader Monday beating #5 Grand Valley State 5-1 in game one and losing 3-1 in game two.  In Game one Greg Van Leer went 3-3 with 3 rbi's, Wade Koester 2-2 and Justin Ritchart went 2-3.  Mike Mueller went the distance allowing six hits in seven innings. 

In game two Brandon England went 2-3 and Caleb Zang pitched 6 strong innings giving up one earned run and striking out two.

Quincy Baseball Wins Three of Four

Baseball in Illinois News
courtesy Quincy U

The Quincy University baseball team opened up their 2010 season by taking three of four games against Truman State University on Friday and Saturday. The Hawks won both games of a doubleheader on Friday, 6-0 and 7-4 and split on Saturday falling 7-5 but rebounding with a 7-4 win.


Hawk newcomer Mike Mueller picked up the Hawks' first win of the season, going six innings and allowing just two hits while striking out six and pitching the shutout. Greg Van Leer and Wade Koester paced Quincy with two hits and one RBI each. Brian Lupa picked up the win in game two for Quincy, going 3 1/3 innings and allowing no runs and just two hits while striking out four. Koester pounded out another three hits in game two while Van Leer went 2-for-2 with three RBI and Dan Entzeroth and Matt Scoggins each adding two hits.

On Saturday the Hawks dropped the first game 7-5 with Brian Thompson suffering the loss, going 3 1/3 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits. Koester picked up a home run in the game and added three runs batted in while Scoggins finished 3-for-3. The Hawks closed out the day with a 7-4 win as Caleb Zang picked up the win on the mound, going five innings and allowing three earned runs while Travis Ruppel recorded the save. Van Leer ripped a grand slam home run in the game while Fabian Oeschle added a solo home run and Brandon England finished 2-for-3 with a triple.

Lewis University Swept in Season Opening Doubleheader

Baseball in Illinois News
courtesy Lewis University

With snow on the ground in Illinois, the Lewis baseball team traveled to Arkansas to open the season with a doubleheader against Henderson State on Saturday. The Flyers were swept 5-1 and 8-1.


Lewis scored their lone run in game one in the fourth inning. Senior Scott Householder (Berwyn, Ill./St. Josephs/Triton) doubled with one out and scored on a two-out RBI double by junior Tyler Newsome (Palos Heights, Ill./Marist/South Suburban CC). Sophomore Michael Wido (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) followed with a single but Newsome couldn't score on the single. The inning ended when freshman Zach Stetson (Kankakee, Ill./Herscher) struck out.

Senior Joe Scumaci (Chicago, Ill./St. Laurence/Triton) earned the loss (0-1) while Jonathan Dooley (2-0) took the win for Henderson State. Scumaci struck out seven but allowed five runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings of work.

Grant Dennis led things off for the Reddies with a solo home run in the first-inning to give Henderson State a 1-0 lead. The Reddies added single runs in the second and third innings with the help of an RBI double by Kendal Norman and a double by John Waylock as the Reddies increased their lead to 3-0 after three innings. The Reddies scored two runs in the fifth as Gip Hendrix doubled home Richie Wood, with Hendrix scoring on a Charlie Hillman single.

Lewis dropped game two 8-1. Newsome started and took the loss.

"Both games were closer than the scores indicated," head coach Tim McDonough said. "We defended well and threw strikes. The difference was they got hits with runners on base and we didn't."

Henderson State improves to 5-0. Lewis falls to 0-2. The Flyers face the Reddies in another doubleheader on Sunday at noon.

Lewis Freshman Matt Frahm Named IHSBCA High School Player Of The Year

Baseball in Illinois News Sources

Lewis University freshman Matt Frahm (McLean, Illinois/Olympia) has been named the 2009 Class 2A Player of the Year by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association.


Frahm helped Olympia defend their Class 2A state title by finishing with an overall record of 29-6. Frahm's head coach Ron Smith earned Coach of the Year honors from the IHSBCA.

Frahm finished with an 8-1 mark in a team-best 63.2 innings for Olympia. He struck out 99 batters while allowing a minuscule 0.88 earned run average. At the plate Frahm hit .394 with 44 RBI on 41 hits.

Quincy University Picked Fourth In Pre-Season Poll

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

Quincy University baseball team was recently picked to finish 4th in the West in the 2010 Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason Poll.


Quincy finished the 2009 season with a 30-25 overall record but dominated in conference play, going 19-9 and finishing in 3rd place in the West Division. The Hawks return eight starting field players and two starting pitchers from last year's squad.

Quincy received 48 total points, placing them 4th in the West Division of the GLVC. Southern Indiana was picked 1st in the West with 79 points, including 12 first place votes, while Drury received one first place vote and picked 2nd. They were followed by Rockhurst, Quincy, Missouri S&T, Missouri-St. Louis and Maryville.

Division II Pre-Season All-Americans

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

The American Baseball Coaches Association has picked the 2010 pre-season all-americans for Division II.  Following are the players in the midwest region that are from Illinois:

Pre-Season All-Americans - Midwest Region
SS Sean Estand - St. Joseph's in Indiana - Sean graduated from St. Rita High School and lives in Evergreen Park, Illinois.

Players to Watch - Midwest Region
P Joe Scumaci - Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois - Joe graduated from St. Laurence High School, attended Trition College and lives in Chicago, Illinois.

P/1B - Tyler Choate - Southern Indiana - Tyler graduated from Carmi-White High School and lives in Carmi, Illinois.

OF - Nate Weglarz - St. Joseph's in Indiana - Nate graduated from Homewood Flossmor High School, attended Parkland College and lives in Homewood, Illinois.

DH/INF - Brett Zurliene - Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois - Brett graduated from Breese Central High School, attended Kaskaskia Community College and lives in Aviston, Illinois.

Newcomers to Watch
P Matt Frahm - Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois - Matt graduated from Olympia High School and lives in McLean, Illinois.

P Steve Styck - St. Joseph's in Indiana - Steve graduated from Herscher High School, attended Joliet Junior College and lives in Kankakee, Illinois.

P Mike Mueller - Qunicy University in Quincy, Illinois - Mike attended Southwestern Illinois College and lives in Belleville, Illinois.

Joe Scumaci Named To NCBWA Preseason All-America Third Team

Lewis University senior earns national honor

ROMEOVILLE, Illinois - Senior pitcher Joe Scumaci (Chicago, Ill./St. Laurence/Triton) was named to the 2010 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II Preseason All-America Third Team on Tuesday.


Scumaci earned All-Great Lakes Valley Conference Second Team honors last season. He posted a team-best 2.42 earned run average, the lowest for a Lewis starter since 2000. He finished with a team-best 6-4 record and a .252 opposing batting average. Scumaci completed seven of his 12 starts and recorded a save in his one relief appearance.

"I am very happy for Joe and he is very deserving of this honor," head coach Tim McDonough said. "Joe is an example of how hard work, preparation and execution on the field can lead to success and honors such as this. While pre-season awards are nice, I know Joe will only be satisfied with personal accomplishments when Lewis baseball reaches its team goals of reaching the GLVC tournament and a regional berth."

The association's Division II national poll voters and members of the association's board of directors selected the NCBWA Division II Preseason All-America teams from nominations submitted by sports information directors at NCAA Division II baseball-playing institutions.

Quincy University Early Signings

Quincy University: "HAWK BASEBALL ANNOUNCES EARLY SIGNINGS"

Baseball in Illinois will only show details on players from Illinois.

(Quincy, Illinois) The Quincy University baseball team recently announced the signing of six players during the annual early signing period. Joining the Hawks next season will be Drake Austin, Jacob Birlingmair, Curran Collins, Peter Cunningham, Matt Fishman and Nick Scarfino.

"This is a great sign for the program. The six players are the most in an early signing period in program history and is a tribute to the great work Coach Brandon DeJaynes did," said Quincy head coach Brian Unger. "All of these players have a chance to make an instant impact on next year's team. This was an important time for us because we lose so many quality players after this year, so we needed to fill a lot of holes."

Birlingmair is a left-handed catcher and outfielder from Normal West High School. Last season he helped his team to a Conference Championship and was named to the High Honor Role and National Honor Society.

"We are very excited to welcome Jacob to the Hawks. He is a great athlete who can play outfield and catch," said Unger. "He has a great left-handed stroke at the plate and runs extremely well. We look for him to help behind the plate and in the outfield in his career here."

Cunningham, a shortstop from Peoria, Ill., is a senior two sport athlete at Peoria Richwoods High School in both baseball and football. He was named Second Team Mid-States 6 All-Conference as a freshman and First Team All-Conference as a sophomore. That year he hit .434 and helped his team to conference and regional titles while being named Peoria Journal Star All-Area honorable mention. Peter is the #16 overall prospect by Prep Baseball report and his brother Adam is currently a senior on the Hawks baseball team.

"Peter is a great signing for us. He comes from a great baseball family, as his brother plays for us now. He is not only a great shortstop but pitches as well," said Unger. "He will be counted on to help in the field and on the mound in year one. He is a mid 80's guy on the mound and has a great approach at the plate. We look for him to anchor the middle of our infield, our lineup and pitching staff for the next four years."

The Quincy University baseball team finished the 2009 season with a 30-25 overall record and in third place in Great Lakes Valley Conference West Division, advancing to the GLVC Postseason Tournament.

Quincy University nets Richwoods diamond gem - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com

Quincy University nets Richwoods diamond gem - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com: "Quincy University nets Richwoods diamond gem"

PEORIA ILLINOIS — Richwoods’ shortstop/pitcher Peter Cunningham has committed to

Quincy University, an NCAA Division II school.

Cunningham had received interest from Bradley, Evansville and Southern Illinois.

When his athletic scholarhsip is combined with his academic scholarship, he will have a 100 percent scholarship; the fact that Cunningham’s older brother, Adam, currently plays at Quincy and, finally, he could play right away.

“It was almost a perfect fit,” said Cunningham, who has made both the Journal Star all-area football and baseball teams. “Having been there several times with Adam, I’m very comfortable with the school and the coaching staff.”

And that coaching staff, headed by Brian Unger, has big plans for Cunningham as he’ll play shortstop and pitch — a rarity in the college game.

“They’re going to throw me in there right away,” Cunningham said. “That was one of the main reasons.”

Letters of Intent - Providence Catholic Baseball - New Lenox Illinois

Letters of Intent: "college commitments

John Ciolkosz, son of Phil and Patricia Ciolkosz of Homer Glen, signed his National Letter of Intent to attend St. Joseph’s College in Indiana where he will continue his baseball career and plans to major in Mathematics. Ciolkosz is a graduate of Homer Junior High and a parishioner at St. Bernard’s. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS) and has played for the Providence Catholic Celtic baseball team in New Lenox Illinois his entire high school career. In 2009, his pitching record was 4 and 2 on the mound, which was the 2nd best record for the team.

Baseball Announces 2010 Captains - LEWIS OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Baseball Announces 2010 Captains - LEWIS OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE: "Baseball Announces 2010 Captains

Flyers ready for 2010 season"

ROMEOVILLE, Illinois - Lewis head baseball coach Tim McDonough has announced team captains for the 2010 season.

Seniors catcher Joe Carbone (Lemont, Ill./Lemont/Florida Gulf Coast University), outfielder/pitcher Scott Householder (Berwyn, Ill./St. Josephs/Triton), outfielder Ryan McNamanan (Waukegan, Ill./Waukegan) and pitcher Joe Scumaci (Chicago, Ill./St. Laurence/Triton) earned the honor of being named captains.

"All of these players are not only tremendous leaders on the field, but each has made the Dean's list during their time at Lewis," McDonough said. "They are all `true student-athletes' who are able to successfully balance the college experience academically, socially and athletically."

Carbone is in his fourth season as a Flyer. The Deans' List student played in 18 games last season.

"Joe has been an outstanding vocal leader for us for three years on and off the field," McDonough said. "Joe is one of those players who serves as a coach on the field when he is in the ballgame. He is very deserving of being named a captain for the 2010 season."

Householder is in his second year at Lewis after transferring from Triton College. He was named to the All-Great Lakes Valley Conference Third Team last season despite suffering an injury to this throwing arm early in the season.

"Scotty came in and commanded the respect of everyone last year as a transfer and that has certainly carried over to this year," McDonough said. "His attitude and commitment to `team' really rubs off on his teammates and he has all of the characteristics that a great leader should possess."

McManaman has held down the center field position for Lewis since his freshman season.

"Nobody cares more about Lewis University, his teammates and winning than Ryan McManaman," McDonough said. "Ryan may be the hardest worker I have ever coached. The extra work he puts in and his efforts in the weight room along with his willingness to help out his teammates made this decision a no-brainer."

Scumaci was an All-GLVC Second Team selection in his first year at Lewis. He posted a team-best 2.42 earned run average, the lowest for a Lewis starter since 2000, last season.

"Joe is our #1 pitcher and probably our toughest competitor," McDonough said. "As the leader of the pitching staff, Joe sets the tone with every game he pitches and every series we play. He has a take no prisoners mentality and is respected by everybody on the team."

The Flyers start the 2010 season, McDonough's third as skipper of the Flyers, on Feb. 13 at Henderson State in Arkansas.

UIS Baseball Announces Initial Recruiting Class >> GOPRAIRIESTARS.COM

UIS Baseball Announces Initial Recruiting Class >> GOPRAIRIESTARS.COM: "UIS Baseball Announces Initial Recruiting Class

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The UIS baseball program has signed six players as the initial class in the program’s history was announced today by Prairie Star Head Coach Brian Grunzke."

Barry Arnett, Nate Blessman, Reid Clary, Matt Cmiel, Hayden Cosby and Marshall Escue comprise the first six signees for the Prairie Stars.

Arnett is a right handed pitcher from Limestone High School who was a first team All-Conference pick as well as a McDonald’s All-Star as a junior. A standout in the classroom as well, he is a member of the National Honor Society and on the school’s High Honor Roll.

“Barry has a good breaking ball and really attacks the strike zone and knows how to pitch,” Grunzke said.

Blessman is an outfielder who is currently enrolled at Lincoln College. As a prep at Canton High School in Canton, Ill, he was named to the Illinois Coaches Association’s All-State team and was also an All-Conference honoree. A solid athlete, he was also a standout in basketball.

“Nate will give us some maturity in our line-up,” Grunzke said. “We will likely look for him to hit in the middle of the order. Nate is a tremendous athlete that will only get better with more experience.”

Clary is a catcher from Princeton High School in Princeton, Ill. where is a standout in both baseball and basketball. As a junior he was Bureau County Republican Player of the Year and first team All-Area by both the Republican and the News Tribune. A first team All-Conference pick, Clary was ranked among the Top 125 players in the state of Illinois by Prep Baseball Report after hitting .460 with 37 RBI and 15 doubles.

“Reid is a good receiver who has natural strength,” Grunzke said. “An outstanding athlete, we think he will get better and better as he concentrates on baseball once he arrives at UIS.”

Cmiel, an outfielder, will join the Prairie Stars from Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Ill. An All-State pick by the Chicago Tribune, he was also an All-Area selection by the Daily Herald and was on the Naperville Sun’s All-City team. Cmiel was also first team All-Conference while helping his team to the Class 4A regional title after hitting .470 with an on-base percentage of .579 and 29 stolen bases.

“Matt is a very good athlete who can run balls down in the outfield,” Grunzke said. “He will provide us with tremendous speed at the top of the line-up.”

Cosby is a middle infielder from Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Ill. He has twice been named his team’s Defensive Player of the Year and won the school’s Railer Award last season. He holds the school record for hits in a game (five) and most at-bats in a season. He is also a standout basketball player.

“Hayden is another solid athlete who is very competitive,” Grunzke said. “Like a lot of our players when he arrives in college and begins to concentrate on baseball he will just get better and better.”

Escue is an infielder from Washington High School in Washington, Ill. He will be a four-year member of the varsity baseball team when he completes his senior season this spring. Last season, as a junior, he led the team with a .454 batting averages while going 8-1 (the most wins on the team) on the mound. A two-time All-Mid-Illini Conference selection at first base, Escue was also named the Peoria Journal-Star’s All-Area team and has been a two-time McDonald’s All-Star pick. He is also a three-time letterwinner in football. In the classroom, Escue is a member of the National Honor Society and was his school’s representative in the Wendy’s High School Heisman competition.

“Marshall can play multiple positions and brings very solid offensive numbers to the program,” Grunzke said. “We will look for him to provide immediate offensive punch.”

UIS is in its first season as a NCAA Division II institution and as a member of the GLVC. The baseball program will begin play in the spring of 2011.