Bradley Baseball's Jacob Booden off to a Stellar Start

Junior right handed pitcher Jacob Booden moved his record up to 3-0 for the Bradley Braves last week allowing two earned runs and three hits in six innings in a 7-5 win over Akron on Friday.  In Boodens five starts he is 3-0 in 26 1/3rd innings, allowing only two earned runs on 17 hits (.191 batting average against) and only one extra base hit - a double.

Booden is from Libertyville high school and lives in Vernon Hills Illinois.

Nick Brown and Thomas Lindauer Named Big Ten Baseball Players of the Week

Nick Brown

Iowa junior right handed pitcher Nick Brown (Wheaton Illinois) earns the Big Ten Baseball Pitcher of the Week honors leading Iowa to an 11-2 victory over Notre Dame last week.  Nick pitched seven scoreless innings, did not give up a walk and allowed only four hits.  Nick is from Wheaton Warrenville High School.

Thomas Lindauer

Illinois freshman infielder Thomas Lindauer (Moline Illinois) was named the Big Ten Baseball Co-Freshman of the Week hitting .429 last week.  Lindauer had the game winning hit with a two run single in the 12th inning in the Illini victory over Southern Illinois.  Lindauer went 3-7 with 2 rbi's and 3 runs scored to earn the weekly honors.

George Heller and Nat Rohl Named Chicagland Collegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Players of the Week

Junior pitcher Greg Heller from Trinity International University has been named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week with a complete game over Dakota Wesleyan last week.  Heller went seven innings gave up only two hits and struck out 3.  Heller (Elgin Illinois) is currently 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA.

Senior infielder Nate Rohl from Judson University earns the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference baseball hitter of the week by hitting .429 with 3 doubles, 3 home runs and 10 rbi's.  Nate lives in Rockford Illinois.

Importance of a Pitcher Throwing a First Pitch Strike in Baseball

I found some statistics on first pitch strikes that I think everyone will find interesting.  How important is it to throw strike one as a pitcher?  Should a batter always take a strike?  Before the arguments start let me post some of the statistics from the majors.

I found these stats in Craig Burley's study in the Hardball Times.  In the study the stats from the 2003 MLB season were used. 

If you have two pitchers that are otherwise perfectly average (as far as statistics show) but one always throws a strike on the first pitch and the other throws a ball on the first pitch. The pitcher who threw the strike has an expected ERA of 3.60 and the pitcher who threw a ball would have an expected ERA of 5.50.  In addition once the pitcher gets to a 0-1 count hitters hit just .239 against the pitcher.  If the first pitch is a ball the hitters average moves up to .280.

In 2009 of the starting pitchers with the 20 lowest ERA's 16 of them had above average first-pitch strike percentages.  In 2010 the three starting pitchers with the highest first-pitch strike percentages were Cliff Lee (70.8%), Carl Pavano (68%) and Roy Halladay. 

New Independent Baseball Team to Play at Alexian Field in Schaumburg

Both the village and park district of Schaumburg agreed on a new tenant for Alexian Field for 2012.  The former owner of Prairie Material, Alan Oremus, will bring a new independent baseball team to Alexian Field in 2012.  Oremus did almost the exact thing in Joliet, bringing in the Joliet Slammers to Silver Cross Field in Joliet to replace the JackHammers. 

The new independent professional baseball team, who will decide what their name is later this year, will play in the American Association which has 14 teams.

The Flyers were expected to vacate Alexian Field by midnight on March 10th.

Montini Baseball Updends Hinsdale Central on One Hit

Hinsdale Central pitchers Chris Bobo and John Spacapan retired the first 13 batters and the first Montini runner to reach base was Ben Dobosenski on a walk in the fifth inning.  It only matters what the final score is and Montini took advantage of that scoring once in the sixth on an error, a wild pitch and flair to right (looks like a line drive in the book!).

Hindale Central wound up with three hits and Montini's Anthony Reeber earned the victory.

Northern Illinois Baseball wins Battle of Illinois Teams

The Northern Illinois (3-10) baseball Huskies won the battle of Illinois teams shutting out the University of Illinois 3-0 today at  Rent One Park in Marion Illinois.

Senior Zach Oates (Wheaton North High School) went all nine innings for the Huskies giving up 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5.  Alex Jones (Kansas City KS) and Alex Beckman (Batavia High School) both tripled for the Huskies and Joe Etcheverry (Bakersfield CA) went 2-3 with two rbi's.

Shortstop Josh Parr (Illinois Valley Central High School) had two of the three hits for the Illini(4-9).

Illinois NCAA Division II Baseball Recaps

Lewis University baseball ups their record to 7-3 with a 15-9 win over Christian Brothers on Sunday.  Lewis trailed 5-4 going into the top of the seventh where the Flyers put up a nine spot to take a 13-5 lead.  After Lewis loaded the bases with a single, a walk and a bunt, Brian Norwood (Lake Park High School) blasted a grand slam.  Senior Tyler Newsome (Marist High School, South Suburban College) went 5-5 with a homer and three rbi's.

The Qunicy University Hawks baseball team fell to 3-8 on the season dropping a twin bill 3-2 and 10-1 against Delta State in Cleveland Mississippi yesterday.  In game one Chris Conner (Lenexa Kansas) went 4 1/3rd innings giving up five hits and two earned runs.  In game two Gavin Meyer (Crystal Lake South) went 2-4.

The University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars stand at 2-7 on the season after yesterday's double header was cancelled against Clarke College in Dubuque Iowa.  On Sunday the Prairie Stars jumped out to a 5-0 lead on Wisconsin Parkside but Parkside took the lead for good in the sixth dropping the Stars 9-6.  Marc Mantucca (Naperville Central High School) went 2-4 with 2 rbi's, Marshall Escue (Washington High School) was 2-4 with a double and an rbi, Adam Unes (Brimfield High School) 2-5 with a double and 2 rbi's.

NJCAA Division I Baseball Polls as of March 16 2011 - Illinois Teams

John A. Logan College moves up to #15 on the NJCAA Basball Division I poll on March 16th after a 12-2 start.  Wabash Valley College (16-5) lands at #21 and Olney Central College (17-3) makes their first appearance at #25 on the national poll.

Wolak and Rashid Named College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Baseball Players of the Week

Dave Wolak and Jon Rashid were named CCIW baseball players of the week for the week ending March 13th.

Dave Wolak

Elmhurst College freshman outfielder Dave Wolak hit .583, scored seven runs and had 5 rbi's in four games last week.  Dave also did not strikeout, walked four times and had an on base percentage of .706 in four games.  Dave is from Glenbard North High School and lives in Carol Stream Illinois.

Jon Rashid

North Central's sophomore pitcher Jon Rashid pitched six shutout innings allowing 3 hits, striking out six and not allowing a walk.  Jon is from Niles West High School and is from Skokie Illinois.

Joliet Slammers Baseball Sign Three Local Illinois Players

The Joliet Slammer, the new Joliet independent baseball team, signed three local Illinois players last week.

Three local pitchers, Cedric Redmond, Andy Deain and Brian Smith, were all added to the Slammer roster on March 9th.

Redmond, 22, is out of Joliet West High School was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and made it to the triple A level before being released by the Cubs.

Deain, 24, went to Prairie Ridge High School and Northern Illinois University, made 128 appearances for NIU which is the most appearances in the history of the Mid-American Conference.  Andy finished at NIU with 23 career saves which is second all time at Northern.

Smith, 24, is another Northern Illinois University alum, attended Richards High School is fully recovered from his injuries and the Slammers are hoping to get a lot of innings from Brian.

Trey Martin and Drew Golz Named College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Baseball Players of the Week

Wheaton College baseball players Trey Martin and Drew Golz were named CCIW players of the week for the ending March 8th.

Sophomore infield Trey Martin went 3-4 in game one with two homers and three rbi's in Wheaton's 10-5 victory over Eastern Nazarene.  In Wheaton's second game of the season Martin went 2-4 with another home run and two more rbi's in the 12-3 victory over Monmouth College.  In his first two games Martin is hitting .625 with 3 homers, two triples and five rbi's.  Trey is from Wheaton North High School and lives in Wheaton Illinois.

Junior left handed pitcher Drew Golz earned his first win of the season against Monmouth going five innings, gave up no hits or runs and struck out seven.

Western Illinois Baseball Gets Second Win

The Western Illinois Leathernecks (2-12) got their second win of the season with a 10-6 victory over Indiana State University on Sunday.

Junior Tom Litja, Lincoln Way East High School, Mokena Illinois, hit his fourth dinger of the season and junior John Koszulinski, Lincoln Way East, Frankfort Illinois, drove in five runs in the victory.

Junior Dan Russel, Illinois Central College, Henry Senachwine High School, Henry Illinois, who has both Leatherneck wins this season, went seven innings, gave up six hits, gave up one earned run and struck out six.

Illinois State Baseball Thumps Miami

The Illinois State Redbirds beat up on the Miami Hurricanes Wednesday 9-2 and moving their record to 8-4 on the season.

Illinois State scored 3 in the sixth on a double by Mike Hollenbeck (Joliet Township High School) and a 2 rbi single by Bryan Huff (Heartland Community College) taking a 4-2 lead.  In the seventh the Redbirds scored another four runs to put the game away with a ground rule double by Ryan Court (Dundee-Crown High School), a single by Hollenbeck and on a bunt from Huff.

Dan Savas went six innings, gave up five hits and struck out 6 earning his second victory of the season.

Trevor Willis Earns Big Ten Baseball Player of the Week

Iowa's Trevor Willis earned the Big Ten Player of the Week honors for the Hawkeyes with three multi-hit games over the past week.  The senior outfielder hit .647 and a .667 on base percentage, had back-to-back four hit games, scored six runs in four games and stole three bases including a steal of home on Saturday. 

University of Illinois Springfield Baseball Wins First Game in School History

The University of Illinois Springfield baseball made school history by winning it's first game they ever played by beating Alcorn State 19-14 in eleven innings on February 25th 2011.

The division II Prairie Stars scored five in the third, five in the ninth and five in the eleventh to secure the victory.  Andrew Holt, Bloomington Central Catholic, went 2-7, 3 rbi's, Al Robbins, West Chicago High School, went 3-7 and scored 4 times, Marshall Escue, Wilmington High School, 3-6, 1 rbi, scored 4 times, Reid Clary, Princeton High School, 3-6, 2 rbi's, Nate Blessman, Lincoln College, 2-5, 1 rbi's scored 3 times, Trevor Johnson, 2-5, 2 rbi's, and Barry Arnett, Limestone High School, earned the first victory in UIS history going the last three innings.

Quincy Baseball Gets First Win for 2011

The Quincy University Hawks got their first win of the 2011 season on Saturday with a 12-5 victory over Ouachita Baptist University.

Quincy put the game out of reach in the third scoring six runs on five hits which included a three run homer by center fielder Dan Entzeroth.  Caleb Zang earned the win on the mound, 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 K's.

Schaumburg Flyers Baseball Not Moved Out Yet

Although today was the day that the Schaumburg Flyers were suppose to have all their belongings out of Alexian Field, the city and park district in Schaumburg are not making it a priority on eviction day.

There are still three options on the table for finding a team for Alexian Field.

One is for the Flyers franchise to be purchased by a new owner and begin their season as scheduled.  Second is to have a new team move in for the 2011 season and third is to have a new team identified and begin play in 2012.

The Flyers were officially evicted from Alexian Field on February 24th and ordered to pay over $500,000 in overdue rent.

Illinois Division I NJCAA Ranked Teams as of March 2nd 2011

Illinois NJCAA Division I ranked baseball teams as of March 2nd 2011:

#24 John A. Logan College (8-1)

Lewis University Baseball Moves to 5-1 in 2011

The Lewis University baseball team moves to 5-1 after pounding out 21 hits in a 22-2 victory Mary (S.D.) on friday.  Freshman Kyle Kapka hit a grand slam on his first collegiate swing and junior Pat Lahey went seven innings to earn his second victory on the mound.

Next up for Lewis is Gannon on Saturday morning.

Baseball Great Maury Wills Attending Joliet Slammers Baseball Logo Party

The Joliet Slammers baseball team announced that baseball great Maury Wills is going to be attending the Slammers logo party on March 10, 2011. 

The Slammers, the new independent professional team in Joliet, will unveil their logo at the Rialto Square Theatre on March 10th.  Tickets are free but required to attend the event.  Tickets can be picked up at Silver Cross Field in Joliet IL.

Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Top Performers from Illinois

Top baseball performances in the Missouri Valley Conference last week from Illinois players.

Derek Sprout, Bradley University, Illinois Valley Central High School, the freshman catcher hit .571 with 2 rbi's, a sac bunt and scored three times. 

Infielder Alex Staehely, Creighton University, Benet Academy, the sophomore hit .455 with 10 hits, 4 doubles, and 2 triples and drove in the winning run in a 4-3 10 inning victory over Kansas. 

Matt Mirabal, Illinois State University, Mt. Carmel High School, the junior catcher drove in the winning run in a come from behind victory against UW Milwaukee on Sunday.  In three game stretch Matt went 6-12 with 2 doubles and scored 4 times.

Outfielder Kyle Burnam, Indiana State University, Marshall High School, the junior outfielder went 4-6 at the plate in one game and overall had 2 doubles, 4 rbi's, and scored 4 times.

Jordan Sivertsen, Southern Illinois Carbondale, Carmel Catholic High School, Richmond IL, the junior outfielder went 6-15 at the plate with 3 extra base hits including a home run in a series against South Carolina. 

Left handed pitcher Joe Bircher, Bradley University, Joe went 7 scoreless innings, struck out 7 and gave up only 3 hits in a 4-0 victory.

Left handed pitcher Kenny Long, Illinois State University, Dundee Crown High School, earned a win against UW Milwaukee going 3.2 innings, striking out 6.

Cody Forsythe, Southern Illinois Carbondale, the sophomore pitcher threw a complete game going 8 innings, giving up 7 hits and striking out 6 in a 4-0 loss at South Carolina.


 

Horizon League Baseball Top Illinois Baseball Performances of the Week

Top baseball performances of the week from Illinois players in the Horizon League from February 21 through February 27.

Freshman outfielder Jon Ryan from UIC went 5-12 at the plate with a triple, a walk and scored twice in 3 games for the Flames.  Jon is from Richards High School.

Senior pitcher Eric Wyman from UIC had one apperance, 2 innings pitched and 4 strikouts last week.  Eric is from West Chicago High School.

Junior pitcher Tyler Deetjen from Valparaiso threw 7 innings, gave up 4 hits and had 3 strikeouts.  Tyler is from St. Charles East High School.

Senior pitcher Max Friedman from Wright State threw 6 innings, gave up 5 hits and had one strikeout.  Max is from Whitney Young High School.