Northern Athletics Conference 2013 Baseball Preview

Aurora University baseball is picked to finish 1st in the 2013 preseason coaches poll in the Northern Athletic Conference.  The Spartans won last years NAC conference title and the last three Northern Athletic Conference tournaments.

Returning for Aurora is D3Baseball.com's preseason All-American pitcher Drew Gay who went 8-0 with a 1.68 ERA last season.  Aurora also returns pitchers Eric Palmer 8-0, 2.54 ERA, Brad Warnecke 8-0, 1.19 ERA, DH Cory Walden .352  , 57 RBI's, and catcher Ryan McMahon, .322, 17 RBI's.

Concordia, IL returns All-American third baseman Anthony Even who hit .400 with 38 RBI's and 22 doubles last season.

Benedictine has NAC Freshman All-Star Tim Hendricks coming back.  Tim hit .269 with 23 RBI's and scored 20 runs last season for the Eagles.

Rockford's top returning pitcher is Kaleb Rich, who went 3-4 with a 4.82 ERA last year.

Dominican University only returns 10 letter winners from their 2012 squad right fielder Adam Quinn leads the way hitting .267 with 22 rbi's last season.

Top Returning NJCAA Pitchers from Illinois Junior Colleges

Below are the top returning pitchers from Illinois junior colleges posted in the National Junior College Athletic Association preseason media guides.

Division I:
Northern District, Regions 4, 11 and 24:

Luke Hayes, Kishwaukee College, RHP, 1.46 ERA
Derek Thompson, John A. Logan, LHP, 1.49 ERA
Nick Andros, Rend Lake, LHP, 1.65 ERA
Tait Rauen, Kishwakee College, LHP, 1.83 ERA
Brandon George, Rend Lake, RHP, 1.90 ERA
Brandon Allen, Wabash Valley, RHP, 2.18 ERA
A.J. Crutchfield, Southwestern Illinois, LHP, 2.20 ERA
Ryan Wells, Lincoln Trail, RHP, 2.91 ERA
Clay Wallace, Wabash Valley, RHP, 4.26 ERA
Eben Brooks, John A. Logan, RHP, 4.05 ERA
Ben Allison, Kishwaukee College, RHP, 4.43 ERA
Chris Hunt, John A. Logan, RHP, 4.43 ERA

Division II:
Midwest District:
Matt Lambert, Heartland, RHP, 1.70 ERA
Ryan Byrne, Heartland, RHP, 2.60 ERA
David Stagg, Heartland, LHP, 3.00 ERA
Dylan Van Fleet, Illinois Central, RHP, 3.21 ERA
Cale George, Illinois Central, RHP, 3.52 ERA
Clint Sestak, Lincoln Land, RHP, 3.71 ERA
Dan Reiser, Lincoln Land, LHP, 4.44 ERA
Jason Condit, Illinois Central, RHP, 4.72 ERA
A.J. Vasquez, Danville Area, LHP, 4.88 ERA

North Central District:
Caleb Haley, Lake County, RHP, 2.01 ERA
Eann Cox, Blackhawk, RHP, 2.37 ERA
Bobby Thorson, Elgin, RHP, 2.40 ERA
Sam Cok, Prairie State, RHP, 2.44 ERA
Dominic Talone, Elgin, RHP, 2.45 ERA
Jim Miller, Prairie State, RHP, 2.83 ERA
Kenny Lowden, Oakton, RHP, 2.87 ERA
Tyler Hurst, Oakton, LHP, 3.27 ERA
Jake Sharp, Blackhawk, RHP, 3.35 ERA
Eddie Nelson, Prairie State, RHP, 3.48 ERA
Matt Schwitz, Kankakee, RHP, 3.53 ERA
Joe Ross, McHenry County, LHP, 3.75 ERA

2013 Baseball Players to Watch From Illinois in The Mid American Conference

Here are some of the baseball players to watch in the Mid American Conference for 2013.  The list is selected from Mid American baseball coaches and published in the Collegiate Baseball News.  Our list contains only the players from Illinois or on Illinois teams.

Players to Watch:

1B/DH Jeff Zimmerman, Northern Illinois University, Jeff hit .267 with 6 home runs, 11 doubles, and 29 rbi's last season.  Jeff is from Victor J. Andrew HS and lives in Tinley Park Illinois.

OF/INF/P Alex Klonowski, Northern Illinois University, Alex hit .280 with 3 home runs, 9 doubles and 30 rbi's along with going 3-1 on the mound.  Alex is from Kearny Missouri.


Northern Illinois is projected to finish last in the Western Division of the MAC based on the coaches votes.

Minnesota Gopher Baseball Signs Two from Illinois

The University of Minnesota Gopher baseball program signed two Illinois players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period in November 2012.

Right handed pitcher Cody Campbell attended Naperville Central HS and was a member of the Midwest Future Games Illinois roster this past summer.  Cody lives in Naperville Illinois.

Brian Glowicki is a right handed pitcher from Downers Grove South HS and went 8-2 with a 1.20 ERA as a junior.  Brian lives in Downers Grove Illinois.  

Both Cody and Brian were members of the Downers Grove Longshots summer team.

Eric Jagielo Named to the Preseason All-Big East Baseball Team

Eric Jagielo was named to the 2013 preseason All-Big East baseball team by Big East baseball coaches.

Jagielo is a third baseman who hit .310 with 13 homers and 43 runs batted in for Notre Dame last season.  Eric attended Downers Grove North and lives in Downers Grove Illinois.

American Baseball Coaches Association 2013 Chicago Convention

The 2013 ABCA Chicago convention is scheduled from January 3rd, 2013 through January 6th, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago.  Guest speakers include +Andy Lopez from Arizona, Matt Senk-Stoney Brook, Butch Thompson-Mississippi State, Keith Vorhoff-Kentucky, Charlie Greene, Ron Wolforth, Jerry Weinstein, Phil Swimley, Justin Stone, Mike Birkbeck-Kent State, Steve Smith-Baylor, +Sal Fasano-Toronto Blue Jays, and many others.

For registration information follow the link below:

2013 ABCA Chicago Convention Registration 

Western Illinois Baseball Prospect Camp

Western Illinois University baseball is holding a prospect camp for high school athletes ages 14-18 on Saturday December 22nd. 

The camp is broken down into two sessions; session one is for pitchers and catchers from 9:00 am to noon and session two is for position players from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  

The cost of the camp is $110 and to register you can follow the link below.



2012 Western Illinois Prospect Camp

Kane County Cougars Baseball Announces 2013 Coaching Staff

The Kane County Cougars, now a Chicago Cubs affiliate, announced the coaching staff for the 2013 season.  

Mark Johnson has been named the manager, Ron Villone as pitching coach, and Tom Beyers as hitting coach.

Johnson spent the last two seasons in Boise as manager and led Boise into the Northwest League Championship series last season.  Johnson spent eight seasons as a catcher in the Big Leagues and his first four seasons with the Chicago White Sox.

Villone was the pitching coach for Peoria last season and played for 12 different Major League teams in his career.

Beyers has been a coach or coordinator with the Cubs for more than a decade.  Beyers managed the 2004 Boise franchise to a Northwest League championship in 2004.

Zach Burdi Signs With Iowa Baseball

University of Iowa head baseball coach Jack Dahm announced the signing of Zach Burdi to a National Letter of Intent to play baseball with the Hawkeyes in 2014.

Zach is a 6'3" right handed pitcher from Downers Grove South H.S. and went 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA as a junior.  "We believe Zach will develop into a top of the rotation type pitcher for us early in his career" according to head coach Dahm.

Spencer Gaa Signs Letter of Intent With Bradley Baseball

Spencer Gaa is the one player from Illinois out of the seven signed by Bradley head baseball coach Elvis Dominguez for the 2014 season.  Bradley signed two players from Missouri, two from Wisconsin, one each from Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota.

Spencer Gaa is an infielder from Metamora Illinois who hit .417 with 53 hits and 42 runs scored as a junior at Metamora H.S. last year.  Gaa also runs a 6.53 60.

Lewis University Baseball Signs Five Illinois Players for 2014

Lewis University head baseball coach Tim McDonough announced the signing of five Illinois baseball players for the 2014 season.

First baseman Brandon Collins is a transfer from South Suburban and Moraine Valley Community College.  Collins hit .400 at Moraine Valley and went to Lincoln Way North H.S.

Left handed pitcher Sam Couch is from Joliet Catholic was named to the WJOL All-Tournament team as a junior.  Sam lives in Bolingbrook Illinois.

Brad Elmore is a 6'3" 240 lb pitcher from Bolingbrook H.S..  Brad was an All-Area selection and lives in Bolingbrook Illinois.

James Holub is also a pitcher and went 7-1 while striking out 62 in 42 innings at Wauconda H.S. last season.  James lives in Wauconda Illinois.

Indiana University Baseball Signs Three from Illinois

The Indiana Hoosier baseball program announced the signing of three players from Illinois to National Letters of Intent.

Brent Gibbs is a catcher from Alton High School who has "power and an exceptional arm" according to Hoosier head baseball coach Tracy Smith.  Gibbs lives in Godfrey Illinois.

Austin Cangelosi is an infielder from Carl Sandburg H.S. and is the son of former Major League John Cangelosi.  Austin hit .565 with his summer team and lives in Orland Park Illinois.

Left handed pitcher Austin Foote won six games and struck out 67 in 11 appearances last season at Lake Zurich H.S.  Foote lives in Lake Zurich Illinois.

Henderson Signs Extension with SIU Carbondale Baseball

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale head baseball coach Ken Henderson signed a contract extension to continue as the head baseball coach through the 2014 season.

In his third season at Southern Illinois the Saluki head coach went 31-28 in 2012. Henderson is entering his 23rd season at Southern Illinois Carbondale as he joined the Saluki staff in 1990.

Lincoln Memorial Baseball Signs Three from Illinois

Lincoln Memorial University Railsplitters head baseball coach Jeff Sziksai announced the signing of three baseball players from Illinois.

Left handed pitcher Cody Netzel is a transfer from Kaskaskia Community College.  "Cody brings a lot of positive things to our program" according to Sziksai.  Netzel lives in Kankakee Illinois.

Muta Crusoe is an infielder from Proviso West High School in Illinois.  Crusoe hit .380 with three homers, four triples and ten doubles last season at Proviso West. Muta lives in Bellwood Illinois.

Infielder Ryan Burlison is a transfer from Oakton Community College.  Ryan hit .316 with 13 doubles last year at Oakton.  Burlison lives in Romeoville Illinois.

Another New College Summer Baseball League in Illinois - The Lake Michigan Baseball League

Here we go again...another new collegiate summer league has popped up in Illinois, the Lake Michigan League.

The Lake Michigan Baseball League states they will focus on the development of players that attend junior colleges, NAIA and division III programs.  The league will play 24 games in just over one month and have rosters of only 22 players.  There are also league fees for each player of $595.

Other leagues in the Northern Illinois area are the Metro Collegiate Summer Baseball League of Illinois, The Midwest Collegiate League, and  The Chicago Suburban Baseball League.

Mark Pall from Lake Park Signs With Valpo Baseball

Valparaiso head baseball coach Tracy Woodson announced the signing of Mark Pall from Bloomingdale Illinois to a National Letter of Intent.

Mark Pall is a 6'3" 160 pound right handed pitcher who was an academic all-conference player his sophomore and junior seasons.  Mark's father pitched in the majors for many years.

Louisiana Monroe Baseball Signs Two from Illinois

The University of Louisiana Monroe baseball program announced the signing of two  baseball players from Illinois to National Letters of Intent.

Left handed pitcher Weston Mason from John A. Logan College went 2-0 with a 1.50 in 15 2/3rds innings last season.  Mason lives in Mt. Vernon Illinois.

Keelin Rasch is a third baseman from John A. Logan College and hit .313 with 3 homers and 24 rbi's last year.  Keelin lives in Harrisburg Illinois.

Jerimiah Figueroa Signs National Letter of Intent with Arkansas Pine-Bluff Baseball

University of Arkansas Pine Bluff head baseball coach Carlos James announced the signing of Jerimiah Figueroa to a National Letter of Intent to play baseball for the Golden Lions.

Figueroa is an outfielder/pitcher from Roberto Clemente Community Academy in Chicago Illinois.

McKendree Baseball Signs Four for 2014

McKendree Bearcats head baseball coach Jim Boehne announced the signing of four student athletes for the 2014 season.

Tyson Boehne, Jim's youngest son, is a utility player who hit .382 with 3 homers and went 3-3 on the mound last year.  Tyson attended Carlyle HS and lives in Carlyle Illinois.

Bradley Groleau is an outfielder from St. Bede Academy.  Bradley hit .485 with 8 triples, 2 homers, and 42 rbi's last season.  Groleau lives in Peru Illinois.

Kyle Jackson is a catcher from Carlyle HS who hit .358 with 2 homers and 16 rbi's last year.  Kyle lives in Hoffman, Illinois.

Left handed pitcher Dylan Salsman was 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA at Francis Howell HS.  Dylan is from St. Louis Mo.

High School Assistant Baseball Coaching Positions in Illinois

Community district 300 in Carpentersville Illinois is looking for an assistant baseball coach.  Person must have the ability to organize and motivate his own team at the underclass levels.  More information is available on the district 300 website.

Stillman Valley is looking for an assistant baseball coach reporting directly to the head baseball coach.  Candidates should have knowledge of IHSA rules and requires a valid teaching certificate or ASEP certification.  For more info visit the Meridian CUSD #223 website.