Sunday, February 28, 2010

Normal CornBelters Independent Baseball Holds Open Tryouts


The Normal CornBelters will hold open tryouts in Houston Texas on April 13th and 14th 2010 in cooperation with Indy Pro Showcase.  For more information follow the link below:

Normal CornBelters Open Tryouts

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Trinity International Baseball Starts off 4-0


The Trinity International Trojan Baseball team swept Goshen College over the weekend down in Florida over the weekend.  Trinity won twice on Friday 11-7 and 5-3 and again on Saturday beating Goshen 8-3 and 10-5.

Up next for the Trojans is LaSierra University on March 5th.






McKendree University Baseball Goes Deep on Union College


Baseball in Illinois News

McKendree University went deep four times on Saturday and defeated Union College 9-5.  McKendree bounced back from a 12-0 loss on Friday to even up the series 1-1.  Adam Davinroy, Kory Peppenhorst, Daniel Corwin and Kyle Moll all homered in the 9-5 win.  Dakota Schutt went 5 innings to earn his first victory of the season.

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Judson Baseball Splits With Culver-Stockton


Baseball in Illinois News

Game 1
Judson University 9
Culver-Stockton 2
Andy Parsill 3-4 2 rbi's, John Amann 2-4 2 rbi's, Matt McHenry 2-3 2 rbi's.
Nick Kisman 5 IP, Win

Game 2
Culver-Stockton 6
Judson 4

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Illinois Division III Baseball Results

Division III Baseball Scores from Friday and Saturday..

Saturday 2-28
North Park 13
Sewanee 10

Friday 2-27
Augustana 3
Farmingdale State 2
Nick Kujawa 2-4, double, rbi
Augustana starts season 3-0.




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Saturday, February 27, 2010

North Park Baseball Wins Opener Against Atlanta Christian


The North Park University baseball team opened the 2010 season with a  6-3 victory against Atlanta Christian on Friday.  Mike Giovenco earned the victory going 7 innings giving up 4 hits and 1 earned run.  Mike Domenick and Angel Carrasco both homered for the Vikings.






Scumaci Strikes Out 13 as Lewis Baseball Splits With Hillsdale

Baseball in Illinois News

Joe Scumaci (Chicago, Ill./St. Laurence/Triton) earned his first victory of the season in style with a 13-strikeout performance in a 4-2 victory over Hillsdale on Friday afternoon. Lewis rallied from a four-run deficit to take the lead in game two, but ultimately fell 8-7.


Scumaci (1-1) threw a complete game, giving up only four hits. Both runs he surrendered came in the sixth inning.

Scumaci's 13 strike outs is the most for a Lewis pitcher in a single game since David Ingram fanned 15 against Wentworth Institute of Technology on March 8, 1998 in a nine inning game.






Normal Illinois CornBelter Baseball Sign Four More


Baseball In Illinois News

The CornBelters recently signed right-handed pitchers Sam Heaps and Charles Gordon. CornBelters also signed catcher Andrew Barbaro and 2nd Baseman Jeff Cowan.


Heaps attended Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA. He posted a 2.95 ERA with a record of 6-1, including four complete games. He allowed 52 hits in 73 1/3 innings, striking out 87 and walking just 15 while holding opponents to a .198 BA. He also batted .390 with an OBP of .495 while committing just one error in 211 attempts.

Gordon attended Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV. He finished last season with a record of 4-4 and a 4.83 ERA. In 50 1/3 innings he allowed 55 hits, striking out 39 and holding his opponents to a .281BA.



Barbaro has spent a few years in professional baseball. Recently, he was with the Traverse City Beach Bums of the independent Frontier League. He hit .271 in 36 games with an OBP of .421 driving in 8 runs on 26 hits in 115 AB. Late in the season, he was traded to the Lincoln Saltdogs of the independent American Association where he batted .263 in only 19 AB.






Cowen is a native of Canada. He attended High Point University in High Point, NC. He was a four-year starter at second base, and he hit .290 with 30 RBI in 52 games this past season. He finished the season with an OBP of .398, 11 doubles, 23 BB and 18 HBP.

Division I Illinois Baseball Highlights

Baseball in Illinois division I highlights from Friday games.

University of Illinois 11
Notre Dame 1
Matt Dittman went 3-4, Craig Lutes 3-5 with a 2 rbi's, Pete Capetta 2-3 doub, rbi, Will Strack 6 innings 6 k's and a win.

Northwestern 6
Connecticut 5
Zach Morton 2-3 two rbi's game winning rbi, Michael Jahns picks up the win 1.0 IP

UIC centerfielder Steve McGuiggan 3-5 with 2 rbi's in a 9-4 loss to Alabama

Jordan Hood from Northern Illinois University went 3-5 with 2 rbi's and Dave Reynolds was 3-4 with an rbi but Northern lost 7-4 to Austin Peay

Pittsburgh 3 Bradley 2

Southern Illinois Carbondale 17
Jacksonville State 16 in 11 innings
Michael Stalter 4-5 with a home run and 3 rbi's, Tyler Bullock 2-6 with a grand slam

Belmont 6
Eastern Illinois 5
Zach Borenstein 3-5 HR, 2 rbi's





Friday, February 26, 2010

Trinity International University Baseball 2010 Preview

Baseball in Illinois News

Trinity International University's baseball program will kick off its 2010 campaign on February 25 as they head to Sarasota, FL to participate in the Goshen Invitational.The Trojans will open the season with a four game set against Goshen College (located in Goshen, IN), "With the snow on the ground here in IL, this is a great opportunity for us to open in warmth in Florida," said Head Coach Tom Raven, in his 3rd season.


The Trojans are optimistic about the 2010 season after a solid recruiting class of 16 bolsters a sometimes fickle lineup from a year ago. All 3 outfield positions will see new players beginning in left with Harper transfer Billy Smith, Montreat transfer Steven Collado in center and Morton transfer Anthony Mendoza in right. Newcomer, freshman Alex Winfield will see time as well.

TIU returns veteran infielders led by senior SS Phil Sims, who hit .388 a year ago with a .535 on base %. Pete Miller will split time at 2nd base and 3rd. Miller hit .367 with 51 RBI during the 2009 season. Junior Paul Wilson will see some play time at second and newcomer, freshman Rafael Mendez will back up at 3rd. Grossmont College transfer, Kevin Tenney will start at 1st base and hit in the middle of the lineup. He hit .306 a year ago.

The Trojans return two starting pitchers in seniors Owen Leflar and Drew Wicklund. Both look to hold down the top of a rotation which will feature three newcomers in RHP Anthony Mendoza, RHP Jon Pelles, and RHP Brendan Curletta. Returning junior, Nate Alvarado will see time as starter and relieving. He is coming off a season where he was the Trojans top relief man.

Holding down the bullpen to start the season begins with Waubonsee transfer Greg Hess. Hess struckout 46 in 41 innings last season and looks to give TIU a load of relief work which the Trojans seemed to lack a year ago. Joining him will be returners Nathan Beckman and Bart Castillo, as well as newcomer, Sam Chavez, Paul Grotolueschen and Adam Mills.






Chicago State University Looking for Players


Baseball in Illinois News

ATTENTION: Potential Collegiate Walk-On Players... The Chicago State baseball team is looking to invite walk-on players for the 2010-11 season.


For more information, please e-mail Assistant Coach Neal Frendling at nfrendli@csu.edu.





JackHammer Baseball Announces Open Tryouts

The Joliet JackHammers will hold open tryouts on Friday March 26th 2010 at
11:00 am at the Bo Jackson Sports Facility in Lockport Illinois.

To register for this tryout, click on the link below for a registration form and email it to Chad Parker at chad@jackhammerbaseball.com or fax it to 815.726.9223. 

 Open Tryout Registration Form






Augustana Illinois Baseball Opens Season With Sweep

The Augustana Vikings baseball season opens with a sweep of Grove City in Winter Haven Florida.

Game 1
Augustana 6
Grove City 5
Hoffman 2-3, Barker 3-3 2 rbi

Game 2
Augustana 7
Grove City 2
Schmidt 2-3 2 rbi
Pagano 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 K's
  

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Cubs Zambrano Expected to be Opening Day Starter


Baseball in Illinois News

Although spring training has just started and Carlos Zambrano has been the opening day starter every year for Pinella, it is just about certain who will start opening day. 

"I've been here three years and Zambrano has been the Opening Day starter every year," Piniella said. "I don't anticipate any difference there."


Last year, Zambrano won the Cubs' season opener against Houston, giving up one run on five hits over six innings. It was his fifth straight Opening Day start but first win.







Thursday, February 25, 2010

Illinois St. Rita Baseball Ranked #13 In Nation By Baseball America

Baseball in Illinois News

St. Rita High School in Chicago has been ranked #13 in the nation by Baseball America in their 2010 pre-season poll.

Last year St. Rita finished second in the 4A IHSA State Tournament losing to Winnetka (New Trier) 4-3 in the championship game.

The Mustangs have four D-I recruits including outfielder and Arizona State signee Mark Payton (.438-11-40). Other recruits include middle infielder Kyle Stearns (Holy Cross; .337-0-13), outfielder Anthony Andres (Northern Illinois; .463-3-21) and righthander John Starcevich (Chicago; 2-1, 2.10). Junior first baseman/lefthander Joey Filomeno (.313-3-27; 1-2, 5.33) is verbally committed to Louisville.

Winnetka (New Trier) is also ranked #28 in the nation in the same Baseball America pre-season poll.






Eric Englund Signs With Robert Morris Baseball

Baseball in Illinois News

A week before kicking off the 2010 campaign, Robert Morris Baseball Coach Mike Kashirsky has bolstered his 2011 roster with the signing of Schaumburg High School backstop Eric Englund to a letter of intent.


The son of Eric and Angela Englund of Schaumburg, IL, Eric helped Paul Groot's Saxons to the Illinois High School Association regional finals in 2009. He also competed in football and basketball for SHS.






McKendree Baseball Postpones Home Opener Against Olivet Nazarene

Baseball in Illinois News

McKendree was slated to open the home portion of their 2010 schedule Friday and Saturday against Olivet Nazarene University. Those games have been scrapped as well, with no make-up date announced.


McKendree will be in action this weekend as the team will travel to Henderson, Tenn., for games against Freed-Hardeman University and Union College. The Bearcats will meet host Freed-Hardeman for a seven-inning contest on Friday at 3 p.m., before taking on Union on the same field at 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday at noon, McKendree and Union will meet again on the campus of Freed-Hardeman for the Bearcats’ final game of the weekend.

With the adjustment in the schedule, McKendree will now play its home opener on Saturday, March 6 in a doubleheader against Saint Ambrose University.








Western Illinois Baseball Schedule Gets Bumped By High School Games

Baseball in Illinois News

A scheduling conflict has led the Western Illinois Baseball team to change plans for their 2010 season-opening series this weekend. Western, which was slated to play a three-game series at Alabama State, will now open the season at Furman.


The three-game series in Greenville, South Carolina, will begin with a 12 noon (Central) doubleheader on Saturday (Feb. 27). The series finale will take place Sunday at 12 noon. All games will be played at Latham Stadium. This marks the first-ever meeting between the Fighting Leathernecks and Paladins.

"We were set to play three games at Alabama State, however, after talking with their coaches we found out they had a scheduling conflict at their stadium with high school games so the likelihood of getting all three games in was not good," said Western Illinois first-year head coach Mike Villano. "Furman had a series cancellation and was willing to play. The Paladins play in one of the top conferences in the country with a challenging non-conference schedule, so this will be a good test for our team to start the year."






Wednesday, February 24, 2010

2010 Illinois Benedictine Baseball Preview


Illinois Benedictine Baseball looks to new faces to lead the Eagles in 2010.  For a closer look at the 2010 Eagles follow the link below.

2010 Illinois Benedictine Baseball Preview






Bradley Baseball's Patrick Cooper Named as Top-50 Prospect


Baseball in Illinois News

Bradley University junior pitcher Patrick Cooper has been ranked 48th in the nation among college baseball juniors that are eligible for the 2010 MLB draft by Baseball America.  Baseball America also named Cooper as the top prospect in the Missouri Valley Conference.



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Gateway Grizzlies Hosting Open Tryouts


Baseball in Illinois News

The Gateway Grizzlies along with the Oakland County Cruisers will co-host an open tryout on Saturday, March 13th and Sunday March 14th, 2010.


The tryout, which will be held at Escondido High School in Escondido, CA begins at 9:00 a.m. each day. The cost of the tryout is $55.00 per camper.

For more information, contact Phil Warren, pwarren@gatewaygrizzlies.com or Eric Coleman, coleman21@hotmail.com

To register, click here  Frontier League Open Tryouts 






2010 Wheaton College Baseball Preview


Baseball In Illinois News

Wheaton College baseball looking for their third straight 20-plus win season in a row.  Read more on the Wheaton College 2010 season preview 2010 Baseball Preview

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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Illinois State Baseball's Kevin Tokarski Named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week


Baseball in Illinois News
courtesy of the Missouri Valley Conference

Kevin Tokarski, So. 2B, Illinois State



Tokarski tripled on the first pitch of the 2010 season and scored after a hit by Chad Hinshaw on the second, to key an offensive outburst for the Redbirds at the Riverview Inn Classic. Tokarski had a team-best seven hits, including four for extra-bases as the team hit .336 over the season's first three games. In addition to the triple, Tokarksi stole three bases and belted three doubles, including one with the bases loaded to push across the tying runs in the ninth inning of Sunday's win over Austin Peay. Tokarksi was 3-for-4 in the 15-8 win with a pair of runs scored and reached base six times. The redshirt sophomore, who garnered Valley Freshman of the Year and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America honorable mention honors in 2008, missed the majority of last season while recovering from wrist surgery.






Brad Miller Returns With Southern Illinois Miner Baseball


Baseball in Illinois News

The Southern Illinois Miners have announced that all-star first baseman Brad Miller will return in 2010 for his third season with the team. Since joining the Miners midway through the 2008 season, Miller has hit .300 with 18 home runs, 106 RBIs and a .401 on-base percentage.

Miller began the 2009 season with unbelievable numbers, hitting .520 with three homers and 13 RBIs in his first 13 games. He flirted with .400 through late June and was voted the starting first baseman for the West Division All-Stars. In addition, he provided superb defense at first base.

He will join leadoff man Jereme Milons, MVP Joey Metropoulos, All-Stars Ernie Banks and Javier Brown, and 2008 on-base percentage league leader Brendan Akashian, all of whom are already on board in a potent lineup.





Danville Dans Summer Baseball Schedule Announced


Baseball in Illinois News

The Danville Dans released their home schedule for the 2010 summer collegiate season.  You can view the home schedule by clicking on the following link.

2010 Danville Dans Home Schedule


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White Sox Closer Jenks Decides to Stop Drinking


Baseball in Illinois News

MLB reporter Scott Merkin posted a article today about how alcohol was becoming a problem for White Sox closer Bobby Jenks.  I wanted to post a few of the quotes from Bobby Jenks on why he decided to quit drinking.

 "I just got tired of it, plain and simple," Jenks said. "When you want a bad habit out of your life, either you wean yourself off or you quit cold turkey.


"For me, it was easier to just quit. It was to the point where it was easy for me to lose control. I got to the point where not for my sake and my family's sake, but everyone's around me, it was just time to back off and live my life not for myself.

"Everyone says you live for your family," said Jenks, the father of four. "But when you are doing something like that, you are living selfishly and I was tired of living that way."

Jenks talked to his wife, Adele, previously about this particular decision. He didn't feel as if alcohol had turned into an issue until this past offseason.

What led Jenks to see his drinking as a trouble spot? It was a daily pattern of unwanted behavior.

"Getting [drunk] every night. Let's put it plain and simple," Jenks said. "When I took a long, hard look at myself and saw where I was headed, at that point, I was headed in the wrong direction.

"Not just mentally, but physically, as well. I needed to make a change. I have four kids. You look at yourself, and it was like even if I have a few occasional ones, I didn't even want that at all."

So, Jenks won't be partaking in that occasional beer after a tough ballgame. It's a plan working for him, one already making a noticeable change in his life, aside from showing up to camp 25 pounds lighter.

"This sounds [strange]," said Jenks with a smile. "But everything is brighter. You are not waking up with this film over your head or in front of your eyes. You feel cleaner."





Monday, February 22, 2010

Springfield Sldiers Baseball Release 2010 Summer Schedule

The Sliders kick off their 2010 season when they travel to face the Terre Haute Rex in Indiana. The home opener is on June 5th against the Danville Dans at Robin Roberts Stadium. Click the link here 2010 Slider Schedule for the full schedule. 

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CornBelters Baseball Sign Two


Baseball in Illinois News

The Normal CornBelters recently signed infielder Jack Mikel and right-handed pitcher Adam Knight. Mikel is a Bloomington, IL native and former Tri-Valley high school standout.

Mikel attended Culver/Stockton University in Canton, MO and earned his degree in Sports Management in May of 2009. He finished his senior season with a .338 batting average and .422 on-base percentage in 160 at-bats. He also earned first-team Heart of America Athletic Conference honors and was dubbed a gold-glove winner leading all outfielders with six assists, and a 1.000 fielding percentage, in 74 chances.

Knight, a 6-foot, 6-inch 220-pounder, attended Georgia St. University in Atlanta, GA. He posted a 5.60 ERA with the Panthers last year. He finished the season with a 3-4 record allowing just 38 hits in 45 innings while holding his opponents to a .235 batting average.






Guillen Names Buehrle Sox Opening Day Starter


At the first press conference on Sunday Ozzie Guillen named Mark Buehrle as his opening day starter for the eighth time.  The only request from Guillen was that he hopes Buehrle does not throw a no-hitter.  The reasoning  - Buehrle threw a no-hitter against Texas in 2007 and a perfect game against Tampa Bay last season - the only two years the White Sox finished under .500 with Guillen at the helm.





Saturday, February 20, 2010

Heath Groves Picks up First Win For Judson Baseball

Baseball in Illinois News

Judson 8 Clark 5

Heath Groves went 5.2 innings for the win and Ed Draper finished off the Crusaders in the final 1.1 innings for the save. Groves had one strikeout and gave up eight hits, five runs, and three earned runs. 


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Quincy Baseball Wins Three of Four


Baseball in Illinois News
courtesy Quincy U

The Quincy University baseball team opened up their 2010 season by taking three of four games against Truman State University on Friday and Saturday. The Hawks won both games of a doubleheader on Friday, 6-0 and 7-4 and split on Saturday falling 7-5 but rebounding with a 7-4 win.


Hawk newcomer Mike Mueller picked up the Hawks' first win of the season, going six innings and allowing just two hits while striking out six and pitching the shutout. Greg Van Leer and Wade Koester paced Quincy with two hits and one RBI each. Brian Lupa picked up the win in game two for Quincy, going 3 1/3 innings and allowing no runs and just two hits while striking out four. Koester pounded out another three hits in game two while Van Leer went 2-for-2 with three RBI and Dan Entzeroth and Matt Scoggins each adding two hits.

On Saturday the Hawks dropped the first game 7-5 with Brian Thompson suffering the loss, going 3 1/3 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits. Koester picked up a home run in the game and added three runs batted in while Scoggins finished 3-for-3. The Hawks closed out the day with a 7-4 win as Caleb Zang picked up the win on the mound, going five innings and allowing three earned runs while Travis Ruppel recorded the save. Van Leer ripped a grand slam home run in the game while Fabian Oeschle added a solo home run and Brandon England finished 2-for-3 with a triple.


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Division I Baseball Scores for Illinois Teams

Saturday D1 Baseball scores for Illinois Teams:

Iowa 19
Illinois State 11
Tokarski 3-5 double
Hinshaw 2-3 double, 3 rbi

Marist 10
Nortwestern 2
Noble 3-4 triple

Creighton 22
Southern Illinois Edwardsville 0
SIU limited to 3 hits

Canisius 20
UIC 4
Serna 2-3 rbi
(game 1)

Canisius 16
UIC 10
Rutta 2-4  HR 3 rbi
(game 2)

Arizona State 10
Northern Illinois 5
Hood 2-3 rbi
(game 1)

Arizona State 26
Northern Illinois 1

Arkansas State 5
Southern Illinois Carbondale 3


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MLB Network to Follow Chicago White Sox

Baseball in Illinois News

White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen will be featured in "The Club," an original reality series produced for MLB Network by MLB Productions that will air this summer. This follow-up to "The Pen," featuring the Phillies bullpen in 2009, will have unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the White Sox front office.

"The Club" is the fifth series produced for MLB Network by MLB Productions, following "Prime 9," "Baseball Seasons," "Triumph & Tragedy" and "The Pen."





Cubs Win Arbitration With Theriot

Baseball in Illinois News

The Chicago Cubs won the abritration case and will pay Ryan Theriot $2.6 million for the 2010 season.  Though Theroit lost the hearing he did get quite a bump in pay going from $500,000 in 2009 to $2.6 million for 2010.

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Rockford Baseball Picked to Win 2010 Northern Athletics Conference

Baseball in Illinois News

Based on the pre-season coaches poll the Rockford Regents Baseball team has been picked to win the Northern Athletics Conference for 2010.  Rockford received 131 overall votes with Aurora University and Concordia University Chicago finishing with 124 total votes.

The 2010 Northern Athletics Conference baseball tournament will be held at Road Ranger Stadium in Rockford Illinois and will include the top four teams in the conference.