Southern Illinois Baseball's Chris Serritella Hit Three Homers Yesterday Night

Quincy Gems and Southern Illinois Saluki Chris Serritella went 4-4 with three home runs and double with 5 rbi's and it wasn't enough for the Gems as Terre Haute defeated Qunicy 10-8 last night in Prospect League Action.  Serritella now leads the Prospect League with 10 home runs on the season. 

Four other homers were hit last night - one each by Andrew Hecht (Quincy), S. Bruno (Terre Haute), N. Johnson (Terre Haute) and J. Loeffler (Terre Haute).

Lake County Fielders Baseball Announcer Quits On The Air

Lake County Fielders Baseball announcer Qumar Zaman quit while wrapping up his game broadcast last Friday stating the Fielders had not paid him the money owed to him since the beginning of the season.

Field Manager Tim Johnson also quit on July 9th claiming he had not been paid.  In a show of support for Johnson eleven players refused to take the field and then were released by the Fielders.  Assistant coach Pete LaCock resigned after the game and was fined $2,500 and suspended from the league. 

Listen to Zaman quit on the air below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-lcQNKua1-Y

Giovenco Promoted to Kane County

Mike Giovenco made his Kane County Cougar baseball debut on Friday night in Lansing Illinois allowing one hit, a walk and striking out three in two innings.

Giovenco was drafted out of North Park University in the 14th round by the Royals in 2010.  Before coming to Kane County, Giovenco went 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings at Idaho Falls.

Mike now stays with his family in Roselle Illinois.

2011 Northwoods League Baseball All-Stars From Illinois

Baseball players from Illinois who made the 2011 Northwoods League All-Star game which will be played on July 18th in Wisconsin Rapids.

The Northwoods League is a summer collegiate baseball league comprised of top college players that must have college eligibility remaining.  The league is considered one of the top summer collegiate leagues in the nation.

Listed are the mid season all-stars from Illinois:

Infielder Jason Leblebijian, Wilmar Stingers, Bradley Universiy, Arlington Heights Illinois

Third baseman Troy, Battle Creek Bombers, Northern Illinois University, Chicago Illinois.

Outfielder Dan Dispensa, Battle Creek Bombers, Western Illinois University, Chicago Illinois.

Outfielder Ryan Shober, Eau Claire Express, UIC, Inverness Illinois

Outfielder Davis Hendrickson, Waterloo Bucks, University of Illinois, Macomb Illinois.

Pitcher Matt Milroy, Madison Mallards, University of Illinois, Batavia Illinois.

Brian Michalak Succeeds Gordie Gillespie at St. Francis Baseball

Brian Michalak, the top assistant at the University of St. Francis the past four seasons, has been named the Head Baseball Coach and will suceed Gordie Gillespie who retired at the end of last season.

Michalak played for Gillespie after graduating from Lockport in 1979 and was a four-year utility infielder at St. Francis.  Michalak now resides in New Lenox Illinois.

2011 Frontier League Baseball All-Stars From Illinois Teams

The 2011 Frontier League All-Stars have been announced and below are the players from the Illinois Independent baseball teams.  The Frontier League All-Star Game will take place on July 13th in Avon Ohio at All Pro Freight Stadium.

West Division
Inf - Steve Alexander - Normal CornBelters
Inf - Will Bock - Southern Illinois Miners
Backup Infielders include Logan Parker, Gateway Grizzlies and Tyler Keebler, Normal CornBelters

OF - Alvaro Ramirez, Normal CornBelters
Backup outfielder Asif Shah, Normal CornBelters

C - Sean Coughlin, Southern Illinois Miners

DH - Charlie Lisk, Gateway Grizzlies

P - Mark Brackman, Chris Enourato - Gateway Grizzzlies
P - David Harden, Ryan Zink - Southern Illinois Miners
P - Ryan Sheldon - Normal CornBelters

East Divison
Inf - Erik Lis - Joliet Slammers
Inf - Mike Torres - Windy City ThunderBolts
Inf - Jake Eigsti - Rockfork RiverHawks
Backup infielders Chris Wade, Windy City and Luis Parache, Rockford

OF - Josh Flores, Joliet Slammers
Backup outfielder Bobby Leeper, Joliet

C - Zack Aakhus, Windy City

DH - Devin Shepard, Windy City

P - Todd Privet, Windy City
P - Ryan Quigley, Joliet
P - Brett Durand, Rockford

Lyons Township Baseball Ranked #7 in USA Regional Poll

Lyons Township High School baseball finishes the season as the #7 ranked team in the Midwest Regional Rankings by the USA Today.  Lyons Township, IHSA Class 4A State Champions (37-4),  is the only team from Illinois in the final rankings.

1. Broken Arrow OK 36-2
2. Owasso OK 37-2
3. Maize KS 25-0
4. Lakota East OH 24-7
5. Francis Howell MO 32-3
6. Carrol IN 32-2
7. Lyons Township 37-4
8. Rockford MI 32-6
9. Burnsville MN 21-3
10. St. Louis University 24-1

Quincy Gems Baseball Wins First Half of Western Division

The Quincy Gems baseball team captured a home playoff spot by winning the first half of the Western Division in the Prospect League.  The Gems will host a first round playoff game in Quincy Illinois on August 8th against the second half winner of the Western Division.

Dray, Zimmerman Named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-Americans

Tyler Dray

Tyler Dray from Southern Illinois Carbondale and Jeff Zimmerman from Northern Illinois University have been named to the 2011 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Baseball Team selected by Collegiate Baseball.


LHP Dray recorded 8 saves with a 3.41 ERA, 24 K's in 29 innings pitched this season for the Salukis.  Tyler lives in Rockford Illinois and attended Rockford Boylan Catholic high school.



Jeff Zimmerman

1B Zimmerman, who was also named the Freshman Player of the Year in the Mid-American Conference, hit .326 with 11 home runs, 13 doubles and 47 RBI's.  Jeff is from Tinley Park Illinois and attended Victor J. Andrew high
school.

University of Illinois Baseball's Chris Pack Signs with the Marlins

Senior Chris Pack from the University of Illinois has signed a free-agent contract with the Florida Marlins.  Chris is the third fighting Illini player to sign a professional contract this summer.  Pack joins shortstop Chris Parr (signed by the Diamondbacks) and pitcher Corey Kimes (signed by the Twins).

Chris was contacted by the Marlins on his way to a tryout with the Phillies by Marlins area scout Kevin Ibach who asked if Chris was interested in a closer position in the Gulf Coast League.  Pack begins his first season in the Marlins rookie-league affiliate in the Gulf Coast League this summer.

Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 4A 2011 All-State Team

The 2011 Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 4A All-State Team:

Class 4A
C Austin Bosart - O'Fallon
C Blake Hickman - Simeon
C Jack Picchotti - Oak Park River-Forest
C Dan Potempa - Providence
C Rob Rabakozi - Reavis
P Connor Cuff - Lyons Township
P Luke Harrison - Glenbrook South
P Mathew James - Normal West
P Dan Ludwig - Naperville Central
P Zach Remijas - Lyons Township
IF Kevin Defillipis - Providence
IF Brian Evak - Plainfield North
IF Jake Harper - Lincoln-Way North
IF Jake Landwher - Prospect
IF Spencer Mahoney - Lyons Township
IF Tony Rallo - St. Charles East
IF Sam Travis - Providence
OF Michael Vilardo - Cary Grove
OF Jared Pyatt - Pekin
OF Zack Reks - Sandburg
OF Chris Sujka - Mt. Carmel
OF Charlie Tilson - New Trier
OF Kyle Wood - St. Laurence

Illinois Baseball Players Named to Division 3 All-American Teams

Below are players from Division III Illinois baseball teams that were voted onto the D3baseball.com 2011 All-American team.

Second Team:
DH -  Cam Stephens, Concordia University Illinois, East Leyden High School

Third Team:
OF - Josh Davidson, Aurora University, Cypress CA
IF -  Mike Foley, Aurora University, Joliet Catholic Academy
P - Jason Pankau, Illinois Wesleyan, York High School

Honorable Mention:
1B - Kevin Callahan, Illinois Wesleyan, Brother Rice High School

Bradley Baseball Hands out Team Awards

The Bradley Braves baseball team handed out it's postseason awards recently and sophomore outfielder Mike Tauchman earned the A.J. Robertson Award as most valuable player. 

Five other team awards were handed out and the award list is continued below.

Rod Thompson Hitting Award - Mike Tauchman, Palatine Illinois

Mike Dunne as the top team pitcher - Joe Bircher, Omaha Neb.

Kirby Puckett Gold Glove - Rob Elliot, Naperville Illinois

Troy Guidotti Hustle Award - Jason Leblebijian, Arlington Heights Illinois

Tim Trunk Most Improved - Eric Paulson, Barrington Illinois and John Nasshan, Niles Illinois

Phil Kaiser Memorial Award - Patrick Flannagan, Salem Illinois

Jeff Zimmerman from Northern Illinois Baseball Selected to NCBWA Freshman All-American Team

Northern Illinois DH Jeff Zimmerman was selected to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman All-American second team announed on Monday.

Zimmerman led the Huskies in home runs with 11 and a .540 slugging percentage.  Jeff is one of 14 conference Freshman of the Year winner on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association list and the only representative from the Mid-American Conference.

Jeff is from Victor J. Andrew High School and lives in Tinley Park Illinois.

2011 NJCAA Division I Baseball All-Americans from Illinois Teams

The 2011 NJCAA Division I All-American baseball players from Illinois Junior Colleges:

First Team All-Americans:
Jerad Eichoff, Olney Central College, sophomore pitcher

Second Team All-Americans:
Cody Schmitt, Olney Central College, freshman designated hitter
Kyle Stanton, Southwestern Illinois, sophomore infielder

Third Team All-Americans:
Gabriel Roa, Wabash Valley College, freshman infielder

Honorable Mention All-Americans:
Jake Lueneburg, Kishwaukee College, sophomore infielder
Ryan Rizzi, South Suburban College, sophomore pitcher

Ryan Quigley Signs with the Washington Nationals

Joliet Slammers' baseball closer Ryan Quigley signed with the Washington Nationals on Monday and will be heading to the New York Penn League.

Quigley spent last year on the Windy City Thunderbolts and in his first year after Tommy John surgery with the Slammers Ryan has six saves and a 1.08 ERA. 

Ryan is a Joliet Illinois native, attended Joliet Catholic Academy and Saint Xaiver University.

Kaneland Wins First Illinois State High School Baseball Title

The Kaneland Knights scored six times in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the game away and capture their first Illinois Class 3A State baseball championship.

Drew Peters held Oak Forest to 2 runs over 4 innings and Kyle Davidson finished the last three on the mound allowing one run and earning the save.  Outfielder Joe Camiliere went 3-4 at the plate scoring three times, 3B Bobby Thornson went 2-3 with two rbi's and 2B Brian Dixon belted in four runs on three hits. Outfielder Joe Razo also added two rbi's while going 2-3 at the plate.

Lyons Township Takes Down Providence Catholic To Win Illinois High School State Baseball Championship

Lyons Township High School flexed their own muscle and defeat the Providence Catholic Celtics 8-3 to win their third the Illinois High School Baseball State Championship.

Conner Cuff threw all seven innings for Lyons giving up 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out six.  Cuff also drove in four runs on the evening and 2B Steve Hellenbach went 3-4, SS Spencer Mahoney 2-2, and 1B Brian Rodemoyer was also 2-2 with an rbi.  Lyons pounded out 11 hits off of Brandon Magallones, Dan Wetzel and Matt Throwbridge. 

Illinois High School Baseball 3A and 4A Finals Set

The Illinois high school baseball finals are set in class 3A and class 4A.

Class 3A:

In game one Oak Forest pitcher Cody Funkhouser went all 7 innings giving up one run (a homer by Nazareth catcher Justin Gonzalez) on three hits as Oak Forest defeats Nazareth Academy 3-1. Oak Forest scored all three runs in the fourth inning on a walk, a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch.

In game two Kaneland defeated Waterloo 8-2 as Bobby Thorson threw a complete game allowing four hits and strking out 5.  First baseman Sam Komel went 3-4 with 2 rbi's.  Waterloo shortstop/second baseman Alex Wittenaur went 2-3 with an rbi.

Finals Saturday at 11:00 am  Oak Forest vs. Kaneland
Class 4A:

In game one Providence topped Prospect 9-1.  Matt Throwbridge went the distance allowing one run on four hits.  Providence center fielder Brady Wilkin went 2-3 with an rbi, catcher Dan Potempa was 2-4 with an rbi.  For Prospect Pete Bonahoom was 2-3 and scored a run.

In game two Lyons defeated Mt. Carmel 4-1 Zach Remijas threw six innings allowing one run on five hits.  Keith Lehmann threw a scoreless seventh with two strikeouts.  Lyons 1B Brian Rodemoyer was 2-3 with an rbi and Mt. Carmel DH/C Tom Hayes went 2-3.

Finals Saturday at 5:00 pm Providence Catholic vs Lyons

Illinois Chicagoland 2011 High School All-Area Baseball Team

The Chicago Sun-Times announced their All-Area baseball team yesterday.  Sam Travis from Providence Catholic won the Player of the Year award belting 15 homers, 16 doubles, 3 triples and drove in 72 runs while hitting .504.

Sun-Times All-Area Team:

OF Tim Barry, Oak Forest
LHP Wes Benjamin, St. Charles East
RHP Connor Cuff, Lyons Township
2B Kevin DeFilippis, Providence Catholic
RHP Kyle Funkhouser, Oak Forest
UTL Jack Landwehr, Prospect
C Dan Potempa, Providence Catholic
1B Tony Rallo, St. Charles East
OF Chris Sujka, Mt. Carmel
3B Sam Travis, Providence Catholic
OF Charles Tilson, New Trier
SS Michael Vilardo, Cary Grove