Mid American Conference Baseball Co-Pitchers of the Week

Brian Stroud from Western Michigan and Jeremy Gonzales of Northern Illinois earn the Mid American Conference Co-Pitchers of the week honors reported April 11th.

Stroud, a redshirt junior from Western Michigan, threw his second complete game of the season in a 5-1 victory over Ohio.  Brian struck out seven, gave up four hits and walked one while lowering his ERA to 2.54 on the season.  Brian is from Providence Catholic and lives in Joliet Illinois.

Senior Northern Illinois University pitcher Jeremy Gonzales shares the Pitcher of the Week honors by throwing a complete game shutout against Miami Ohio on April 10th.  The senior from NIU had a perfect game through 5 2/3rd's innings and allowed only one runner to reach second base in his 2-0 complete game victory.  Jeremy allowed three hits and struck out seven on the day and is now 3-0 and not allowed a run in 24 innings in the MAC.  Jeremy is from Bakersfield CA.

Top Baseball Players from Illinois to Watch in the Mid-American Conference for 2011

Top baseball players in the Mid-American Conference based on how the conference coaches voted in the pre-season polls.  Listed below are the players from Illinois or athletes who play on Illinois teams.

Top Players to Watch:

Outfielder Bryce Redeker, Miami of Ohio, medical redshirt in 2010, Kankakee Community College, Bishop McNamara, lives in Watseka IL.

Infielder Troy White, Northern Illinois University, .289 batting average, 5 doubles, 30 rbi's.  Troy is from Whitney Young High School and lives in Chicago IL.

Right handed pitcher Jeremy Gonzales, Northern Illinois University, 4-4 with a 4.30 ERA, 59 strikeouts last season.  Jeremy lives in Bakersfield CA.

Right handed pitcher Brian Stroud, Western Michigan University, medical redshirt in 2010.  Brian attended Providence Catholic High School and lives in Joliet IL.

Infielder/DH Ryan McMillin, Western Michigan University, .323 batting average, 5 home runs, 8 doubles, 25 rbi's.  Ryan is from Lyons Township High School and lives in LaGrange IL.

Brian Stroud Signs with the Battle Creek Bombers

Baseball in Illinois News
courtesy Battle Creek Bombers

The Battle Creek Bombers are pleased to announce that pitcher Brian Stroud has been added to their 2010 team roster.



Stroud, a junior at Western Michigan University, has had a successful career as a Bronco. During his first season with the team, he was named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year. He also was awarded First Team All-MAC and MAC Pitcher of the Week back on May 12, 2008. He is one of seven pitchers in WMU history to have six or more wins with a perfect record (6-0).


During MAC play in 2008, Stroud’s performance stood out. He had an ERA of 3.95, which ranked the best of any freshman and fourth best in the conference. Stroud started 11 games, pitching at least five consecutive innings in eight of the 11 starts, and throwing a total of 62.2 innings. He held opposing hitters to a .193 batting average, allowing 43 hits of which only 15 were for extra bases.

In his final three seasons at Providence Catholic High School in Joliet, Illinois., he was an All-Conference selection in baseball and named All-State as a senior. Stroud was also a three-year letter winner in basketball and football while at Providence Catholic. His success in sports was mirrored in the classroom as he earned academic honors as well.

2010 Mid-American Conferece Players to Watch from Illinois

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

Below are the Mid-American Conference top players to watch from Illinois based on how the coaches voted for the 2010 pre-season.

Top Players from Illinois

OF - Bryce Redeker - Miami University Ohio - Kankakee Community College, Bishop McNamara High School, lives in Watseka, Illinois

OF - Jordan Hood - Northern Illinois University - Lake Zurich High School, lives in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois

1B - Dave Reynolds - Northern Illinois University - Carl Sandburg High School, lives in Orland Park, Illinois

RHP - Andy Deain - Northern Illinois University - Prairie Ridge High School, lives in Crystal Lake, Illinois

LHP - Chuck Lukanen - Northern Illinois University - lives in Lombard, Illinois

RHP - Brian Stroud - Western Michigan University - Providence Catholic High School, lives in Joliet, Illinois