Seth Blair Selected 46th in 2010 MLB Draft

Junior RHP Seth Blair from Arizona State University was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals as the 46th overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft.

Blair, who is from Rock Falls IL went 12-0 for the Sun Devils with a 3.06 ERA and struck out 98 in 97 innings pitched in 2010.

 

2010 IHSA Class 4A Semifinals Set

The IHSA Class 4A is down to four as the semifinals are set for Friday June 10th. 

Game 1 - Naperville Central will take on Stevenson at 3:00 pm and Game 2 - St. Rita will battle Huntley at 5:00 pm.  The winners will play for the IHSA Class 4A State Championship Saturday after the third place game which the losers of game 1 and game 2 will play Saturday at 3:00 pm.



 

Mike Foltynewicz Picked 19th Overall in MLB Draft

Right handed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz is the first Illinois player selected in the 2010 MLB draft going to the Houston Astros as the 19th overall pick.

Fotynewicz a 6'4" 190 lb RHP has been clocked as high as 96 is from Minooka High School in Illinois.

 

Westminster Christian and Teutopolis Crowned State Baseball Champions for 1A and 2A

Class 1A
(Elgin) Westminster Christian defeated Goreville 15-5 in six innings to capture the IHSA 1A baseball state championship at Silver Cross field in Joliet.  Ryan Perez went 3-3 with 2 home runs and 7 rbi's, Frank Oliver was 4-4 with three rbi's.  Kevin Elder picked up the victory pitching 3.1 innings allowing no runs on three hits and striking out seven.  For Goreville Stefan Messmer went 2-2, Alex Stout 2-3 with an rbi and Tyler Borum went 2-3 with and rbi.

Class 2A
Teutopolis handed Harrisburg it's first loss of the season with a 5-1 victory in the 2A Championship game.  Derek (2-3) Repking doubled twice for Teutopolis and added two rbi's, Garrett Overbeck also went 2-3 with 2 rbi's.  Derek Thompson also went 2-3 at the plate along with throwing a complete game with eight strikeouts.  Dawson Monfort went 2-3 and collected the lone rbi for Harrisburg.

 

IHSA Baseball 1A and 2A Semifinals Set

Illinois High School Baseball Semi-finals are set for Friday and Saturday June 4th and 5th for classes 1A and 2A at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.

Class 1A Matchups:
Game 1 Friday 10:00 am
Downs(Tri Valley) 13-14 vs Goreville 23-11

Game 2 Friday 12:00 pm
Lebanon 19-14 vs Elgin(Westminster Christian) 28-9

Class 2A Matchups:
Game 1 Friday 3:00 pm
Elmhurst(Immaculate Conception) 30-10 vs Teutopolis 29-4

Game 2 Friday 5:00 pm
Harrisburg 39-0 vs Chillicothe(Illinois Valley Central) 32-5

 

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.

 

IHSA Baseball Rankings as of May 31 2010

The latest rankings from the Chicago Sun-Times as of May 31st, 2010.

1.   Naperville Central 33-4
2.   Stevenson 31-3
3.   St. Charles North 33-4
4.   Plainfield North 29-6
5.   Minooka 30-7
6.   Naperville North 30-7
7.   Lincoln-Way Central 25-9
8.   Sandburg 26-9
9.   Carmel 26-8
10. Downers Grove South 31-6

2010 CCIW All-Conference Baseball Team

The 2010 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin All Conference Baseball Team:

CCIW Co-Pitchers of the Year

Jason Pankau – Illinois Wesleyan
Peter Sparacino – North Park

CCIW Player of the Year
Michael Corrigan – North Central

CCIW Coach of the Year
John Fitzgerald – North Central

1st Team

Outfielder
Will Hodges (Carthage)
Jr.
Oak Park, Ill. (West Aurora)

Outfielder
Blaise Sylvester (Millikin)
Sr.
Matteson, Ill. (Marian Catholic)

Outfielder
Trevor Whately (Carthage)
Sr.
Fairbury, Ill. (Prairie Central)

Outfielder
Justin Zeller (Wheaton)
So.
Indianapolis, Ind. (North Central)

Infielder
Joey Aiello (Carthage)
So.
Libertyville, Ill. (H.S.)

Infielder
Dave Hoffman (Augustana)
Jr.
Fox River Grove, Ill. (Cary Grove)

Infielder
Ryan Javech (North Park)
So.
Wheaton, Ill. (North)

Infielder
Brian Kolb (Wheaton)
Sr.
Carlsbad, Calif. (Santa Fe Christian)

Infielder
Nick Robinson (North Central)
Sr.
Chicago, Ill. (Notre Dame)

Catcher
Michael Corrigan (North Central)
Jr.
Elburn, Ill. (St. Charles North)

Designated Hitter
Joe Turek (North Central)
So.
Frankfort, Ill. (Lincoln-Way East)

Utility Player
Trevor Popp (North Park)
Jr.
Antioch, Ill. (H.S.)

Pitcher
Nate Arenson (North Central)
Jr.
Naperville, Ill. (North)

Pitcher
Mike Giovenco (North Park)
Jr.
River Grove, Ill. (Fenwick)

Pitcher
Jason Pankau (Illinois Wesleyan)
Jr.
Elmhurst, Ill. (York)

Pitcher
Peter Sparacino (North Park)
Jr.
Chicago, Ill. (Carl Schurz)


2nd Team


Outfielder
Stefen Edwards (Millikin)
Sr.
Momence, Ill. (H.S.)

Outfielder
Drew Golz (Wheaton)
So.
River Forest, Ill. (Oak Park-River Forest)

Outfielder
Dan Matkovic (Elmhurst)
Jr.
Carol Stream, Ill. (Glenbard North)

Outfielder
Dan Scott (North Central)
Jr.
Frankfort, Ill. (Lincoln-Way East)

Infielder
Josh Albers (Carthage)
Jr.
Green Oaks, Ill. (Libertyville)

Infielder
Casey McIntosh (Illinois Wesleyan)
Sr.
Columbia, Mo. (Hickman)

Infielder
Peter Romanello (North Central)
So.
Lake Zurich, Ill. (H.S.)

Infielder
Kurt Schmidt (Augustana)
Fr.
Grayslake, Ill. (Grayslake Central)

Infielder
Andrew Wulbecker (North Central)
Sr.
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (H.S.)

Catcher
Zach Deutscher (North Park)
Jr.
Batavia, Ill. (H.S.)

Designated Hitter
Devin Melecio (North Park)
So.
Chicago, Ill. (Roberto Clemente)

Utility Player
Nick Herrera (Elmhurst)
Sr.
Geneva, Ill. (H.S.)

Pitcher
TJ Hecimovich (North Central)
Fr.
Munster, Ind. (H.S.)

Pitcher
Mike Kloss (North Central)
Sr.
Chicago, Ill. (Notre Dame)

Pitcher
Kevin Krajewski (North Central)
Sr.
Spring Grove, Ill. (Richmond-Burton)

Pitcher
Eric Rohe (Carthage)
So.
Mundelein, Ill. (H.S.)

 

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.

 

Whitney Young Baseball Captures Public League Championship

The Whitney Young Dolphins captured their third city championship in four years by defeating Taft 12-2 in five innings Monday at U.S. Cellular Field.

Young (21-11) catcher Steve Giannoni went 3-4 with a triple and two rbi's, John Schrieber 2-2, triple and three rbi's, Jarret James got the win on the mound and improved to 6-1 on the season.

 

IHSA Baseball Rankings as of May 23 2010

IHSA baseball rankings from the Chicago Sun-Times as of May 23rd.

1.   Naperville Central (30-4)
2.   Downers Grove South (31-5)
3.   Stevenson (29-3)
4.   St. Charles North (31-4)
5.   Plainfield North (27-5)
6.   Minooka (28-7)
7.   St. Laurence (29-6)
8.   Providence (24-11)
9.   Naperville North (27-7)
10. Sandburg (24-9)

Others: Lincoln-Way Central, St. Rita, Carmel, Grayslake Central, Warren, Burlington Central, Lyons, Waubonsie Valley, Lockport, Brother Rice, Nazareth.

 

Junior College National Baseball Polls - Illinois Teams as of May 19th

NJCAA National Rankings for Illinois teams as of May 19 2010.

Division I

#5 Wabash Valley (49-10)

Division II

#4 Heartland Community College (42-9)
#5 Kankakee Community College (46-12)
#6 Parkland College (42-10)
others receiving votes - Oakton Community College (42-17)

Division III

#7 Waubonsee Community College (34-26)
#10 Joliet Junior College (35-24)


 

Kishwaukee College Baseball and Wabash Valley College Baseball Move on to District Championship

Kishwaukee College baseball defeated South Suburban College 4-3 on May 16th to capture the NJCAA Division I Region 4 baseball championship.

Also on May 16th Wabash Valley College defeated Lincoln Trail 11-5 to earn the NJCAA Division I Region 24 baseball championship.

Both Kishwaukee and Wabash Valley will move on to the Northern District Baseball Championship at Iowa Western Community College May 21-23.

 

Waubonsee Community College Baseball Advances to 2010 NJCAA Division III World Series

With a 5-4 victory over Harper College on Monday Waubonsee Community College captured the Division III Region IV baseball championship and advances to the NJCAA Division III World Series in Tyler Texas May 22nd through May 28th.

Waubonsee will play their first game against Herkimer County Community College on Saturday May 22nd at 7:00 pm. 

 

IHSA Baseball Rankings as of May 16 2010

Chicago Sun Times IHSA baseball rankings as of May 16th:

1  Naperville Central
2  Downers Grove South
3  Stevenson
4  St. Charles North
5  Providence
6  Warren
7  Plainfield North
8  Naperville North
9  Minooka
10 St. Laurence

Others:  Burlington Central, St. Rita, Lincoln-Way Central, Sanburg, Carmel, Mt. Carmel, Brother Rice, Grayslake Central, Nazareth, Lakes 

I

North Central College Qualifies for the 2010 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship

For the first time since 1988,  the North Central College baseball team will participate in the Division III Baseball Championship.  The Cardinals received an at large bid and the #2 seed in the Central Region Championship which will be hosted by Augustana College in Moline, Illinois. 

The regional tournament will start on Wednesday May 19th, 2010.

 

Illinois Wesleyan Baseball Wins 2010 CCIW Tournament

Illinois Wesleyan (23-20) will make it's eighth apperance in the Division III Baseball Championship by defeating Carthage twice Sunday and capturing the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament title.  By winning the CCIW tournament the Titans received an automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Division III Baseball Championships.

Illinois Wesleyan will move on to the Central Regional, hosted by Augustana College in Moline Illinois, as the #6 seed.

Regional games will start on Wednesday, May 19 2010. 

 

Aurora University Baseball Captures 2010 NAC Championship

Aurora University will make it's 18th appearance in the NCAA Division III Baseball Championships after capturing their first Northern Athletics Conference Championship Saturday by defeating Edgewood College 13-3 in seven innings.

Aurora (27-14) will move on to the Midwest Regional hosted by UW-Whitewater as the #6 seed in the first round of the Division III Baseball Championship

NJCAA Illinois Baseball Teams National Rankings as of 5-12-10

Below are the Illinois Junior Colleges that are nationally ranked as of May 12th, 2010.

Division I
#8 Wabash Valley 46-10

Division II
#6 Kankakee Community College 43-12
#7 Heartland Community College 37-9
other teams receiving votes - Oakton Community College 39-17

Division III
#5 Joliet Junior College 33-22
other teams receiving votes Waubonsee Community College 30-26

 

2010 CCIW Baseball Tournament

North Central College lands the number one seed in the 2010 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Baseball Tournament with a 17-4 conference record and 31-7 overall.

The 2010 tourney starts Friday May 14th at North Central College - the full schedule is below.

May 14th
Game 1 - North Park vs Carthage 12:00 pm
Game 2 - North Central vs Illinois Wesleyan 3:00 pm

May 15th
Game 3 - Loser game 1 vs Loser game 2 9:30 am
Game 4 - Winner game 1 vs Winner game 2 12:30 pm
Game 5 - Winner game 3 vs Loser game 4 3:30 pm

May 16th
Game 6 - Winner Game 4 vs Winner game 5 10:00 am
Game 7 - If necessary - repeat of game 6 1:00 pm

 

Midwest Baseball Conference Championship Starts Today

The 2010 Midwest Baseball Conference Championship starts today with Illinois College vs St. Norbert and Ripon vs Grinnell.

Illinois College (15-14) will play St. Norbert (23-10) at William Penn University on May 14th at 9:00 am.  #1 Seed Grinnell will play Ripon at Grinnell College on May 14th at 9:00 am.  All of the remaining games will be played at Grinnell College (2010 Tourament Host).

Remaining schedule is below..

May 14th
Game 3 - Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner 12:30 pm
Game 4 - Game 1 loser vs Game 2 loser 3:30 pm

May 15
Game 5 - Game 4 winner vs Game 3 loser 10:00 am
Game 6 - Game 3 winner vs Game 5 winner 1:00 pm
Game 7 - If necessary - Repeat of Game 6 4:00 pm

 

Mount Zion's Ryan Hartman Getting Attention From Major League Scouts

Interest from Major League scouts has been increasing for Mount Zion's Ryan Hartman who estimates he has heard from up to 17 teams and Houston, Texas, Philadelphia, San Diego, Pittsburgh and the Chicago Cubs have already seen him pitch. 

This season Hartman is 6-2 with a 1.43 ERA, 84 K's and only 19 walks in 44 innings pitched.

Ryan committed to Eastern Illinois last summer and thought he would go to college for three years and perhaps then get drafted but now he is looking to go in the top ten rounds.  Depending on his draft spot, Ryan would discuss the possibilities with his parents before making a decision.



 

IHSA Baseball Rankings as of May 9th, 2010

IHSA Baseball rankings from the Chicago Sun Times as of May 9th.

1 Stevenson 23-2
2 Naperville Central 23-4
3 Downers Grove South 24-5
4 Providence 23-7
5 Warren 23-4
6 St. Charles North 23-4
7 St. Rita 23-5
8 Plainfield North 23-5
9 Naperville North 22-5
10 Carmel 20-6


 

Northern Athletics Conference 2010 Baseball Tournament

The 2010 Northern Athletics Conference Tournament will be held at Road Ranger Stadium, home of the Rockford RiverHawks, May 14th through May 16th 2010.  Below is the current schedule...

May 14th
Game 1  9:00 am - #1 seed Edgewood College vs #4 Aurora University
Game 2  12:30 pm - #2 Rockford College vs #3 Concordia Wisconsin
Game 3  4:00 pm - Winner game 1 vs Winner game 2
Game 4  7:30 pm - Loser game 1 vs Loser game 2

May 15
Game 5  12:00 pm  - Loser game 3 vs Winner game 4
Game 6  3:30 pm - Winner game 3 vs Winner game 5

May 16
Game 7 (if necessary) 10:00 am - Rematch of Game 6

2010 NJCAA Region 24 Baseball Championship

The 2010 Region 24 baseball championship will be held May 15-16 at John A. Logan College.

Saturday May 15th:
10:00 am - Lincoln trail vs Olney Central
1:00 pm - Loser game 1 vs Wabash Valley
4:00 pm - Winner game 1 vs Wabash Valley

The Region 24 champion will advance to the Northern District Playoffs.

 

Cody Stevenson and Matt Leefers Named SLIAC Baseball Players of the Week

Webster University's Cody Stevenson, a freshman outfielder from Centralia, Illinois, has been named the Diamond Sports SLIAC hitter of the week for the week ending May 2nd, 2010.  Stevenson posted a .522 batting average last week going 12-23 at the plate with four doubles, a triple, six rbi's and 6-6 in stolen bases.

Matt Leefers, a senior from Greenville College, was named the Diamond Sports SLIAC baseball pitcher of the week for the week ending May 2nd, 2010.  Matt pitched two complete games last week going 1-1, allowed no earned runs in 14 innings while giving up nine hits and striking out 14.

 

Nick Marino and Nate Arenson Named CCIW Players of the Week

Nick Marino and Nate Arenson were named College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Baseball Players of the week for the week ending May 4th, 2010.

Nick Marino, a senior shortstop from North Park, hit .692 last week, scored five runs, two doubles, a triple and three rbi's.

Nate Arenson, a junior pitcher from North Central College, pitched 16 and 2/3rds innings last week with a 1.08 era.  Nate has left every game with the lead this season.

 

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.