The top baseball players from Illinois and projected finish of Illinois teams in the Summit League for 2012. The list is based on how the conference coaches voted in their preseason polls.
Western Illinois is projected to finish 2nd behind Oral Roberts.
Top Players from Illinois:
LHP/DH Rich Mascheri, Western Illinois, Rich is a transfer from College of Lake County, attended Wauconda HS and lives in Wauconda Illinois. Mascheri redshirted in 2011 but hit .385 last summer and was a West Coast League All-Star.
Catcher Manny Reyes, Western Illinois, Manny is from Santa Monica California.
Shortstop Austin Cowen, Western Illinois, Austin is from Gillette Wyoming.
Outfielder Matt Igara, Western Illinois, Matt is a transfer from Heartland, attended Jacobs HS and lives in Algonquin Illinois. Igara hit .317 with 4 homers and 19 doubles last season.
First baseman Tom Lilja, Western Illinois, Tom is from Lincoln-Way East HS and lives in Mokena Illinois. Lilja hit .281 with 11 homers 8 doubles and 43 rbi's in 2011.
Western Illinois baseball players Tom Lilja, Bryan Jordan and John Koszulinski have alll been named to the 2011 All-League Team in the Summit League.
Junior first baseman Tom Lilja (Mokena Illinois) hit .275 with 11 home runs and 42 rbi's for the Leathernecks this season. Senior second baseman Bryan Jordan (Cincinnati Ohio) hit .290 with with 9 doubles and two home runs in 2011. Senior catcher John Koszulinski (Frankfort Illinois) finished his senior year hitting .274 with 3 home runs, 7 double and 28 rbi's.
Listed are the 2011 top players to watch in the Summit League who are from Illinois teams or live in Illinois. The list is based on how conference coaches voted in a pre-season poll.
Top Players To Watch in 2011:
RHP - Garrett Bolt, Western Illinois University, transfer from Muskegon Community College, Garrett lives in Wheeler MI.
RHP - Zach Sterling, Western Illinois University, transfer from Onley Central College, Zach lives in Lima OH.
OF - Ryan Cowhey, Western Illinois University, transfer from Oakton Community College, attended Carl Sandburg High School and lives in Orland Park IL.
C - John Koszulinski, Western Illinois University, .354 batting average, 6 home runs, 49 rbi's last season. John is from Lincoln Way East High School and lives in Frankfort IL.
3B - Bryan Jordan, Western Illinois University, .308 batting average, 9 home runs, 18 doubles and 35 rbi's in 2010. Bryan is a transfer from Black Hawk College and lives in Cincinnati OH.
C/OF - Brett Clark, IUPU Ft. Wayne, transfer from South Suburban College, .340 batting average, 3 homers, 15 doubles, 2 triples, 25 rbi's last season. Brett lives in St. John IN.
OF - Kurt Dudley, IUPU Ft. Wayne, transfer from Springfield College, .284 batting average, 6 home runs, 9 doubles, 2 triples and 32 rbi's last season. Kurt attended Auburn High School and lives in Auburn IL.
