2010 Baseball Preseason Poll Release.indd AWS
2010 Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Missouri Valley Conference 1818 Chouteau Ave. ! St. Louis, MO 63103 Phone: (314) 421.0339 Fax: (314) 421.0620 Website: www.mvc-sports.com
MVC Women’s Baseball Contact Kelli Briscoe, Asst. Director of Communica!ons [email protected] O$ce: (314) 421.0339, ext. 335 Cell: (314) 488.7120
February 2, 2010 ! For Immediate Release
Coaches Select Wichita State as Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Favorite ST. LOUIS – Wichita State, which returns a domina!ng young pitching sta" and solid depth from last year's Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship squad, has been tabbed as the league favorite in the annual coaches' preseason poll, receiving seven of eight rst-place votes. The Shockers tallied 57 points and were a close favorite over second-place pick and 2009 regular-season champion Missouri State (52 points). Creighton, who secured the remaining rst-place vote and 50 points overall, was picked to nish in the third posi!on. Illinois State was selected in fourth place with 38 points, followed by Southern Illinois in $h (33) and Indiana State in the sixth slot (29). Evansville (16) and Bradley (13) round out the nal two posi!ons in the poll. The Valley demonstrates a depth of talent and experience returning to the league this season. The coaches have voted 14 players represen!ng seven teams to the 2010 preseason all-MVC baseball squad. Missouri State and Creighton each land three players on the preseason all-Valley team. The Bears are noted by 2009 Freshman of the Year Kevin Medrano (2B), Aaron Meade (LHP) and Aaron Conway (OF), while Elliot Soto (SS), Robbie Knight (OF) and Bobby
Lackovic (RHP) represent the Jays on the preseason squad. Wichita State, Southern Illinois and Evansville earned two selec!ons apiece. The Shockers are represented by Clint McKeever (1B) and Jordan Cooper (RHP), while Tyler Bullock (DH) and Bryant George (RHP) are the Salukis' selec!ons. Cody Fick (3B) and Tom Heitho" (UT) represent the Purple Aces on the preseason squad.
POS. 1B 2B 3B SS C DH UT OF OF OF SP SP RP RP
B/T R/R L/R R/R R/R L/R L/R R/R R/R R/L R/R R/R R/L R/R R/R
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
POINTS
Wichita State (7) ...................................57 Missouri State .......................................52 Creighton (1) .........................................50 Illinois State ...........................................38 Southern Illinois ....................................33 Indiana State .........................................29 Evansville...............................................16 Bradley ..................................................13
Indiana State is represented by senior Ryan Strausborger (OF), while Bradley's Kevin Sullivan (C) lls the nal spot on the preseason all-Valley squad.
Mitch Caster, while 2009 MVC Newcomer of the Year Travis Benne#, a transfer from UNI, will also look to make an impact in the ou%ield.
A$er winning its league-leading 17th MVC tournament !tle and advancing to their eighthstraight NCAA Tournament last season, Wichita State returns seven starters and 19 le#erwinners in 2010. The pitching sta" returns its top three starters, including honorable men!on All-American and second team all-MVC selec!on Tim Kelley (5-4, 2.86 ERA), and sophomores Jordan Cooper (8-6, 2.78 ERA) and Charlie Lowell (6-2, 2.95 ERA). Senior Clint McKeever, the top returning o"ensive threat, returns to the Shocker lineup at rst base, and will be joined on the ineld by senior Will Baez (2B) and sophomore Tyler Grimes (SS). Two starters return in the ou%ield in senior Ryan Jones and junior
Missouri State welcomes back ve starters and eight pitchers from its 2009 MVC regular-season championship squad, but will look to ll the holes le$ by 2009 MVC Player and Pitcher of the Year, Brayden Drake and Buddy Baumann, respec!vely. Junior Aaron Meade (9-2, 3.39 ERA) will be the Bears ace in 2010, and will be complemented by senior Pat Doyle (4-2, 4.12 ERA) in the star!ng rota!on. The Bruins will be backed up on the ineld by junior Tyler Ryun (1B), 2009 MVC Freshman of the Year Kevin Medrano (2B) and sophomore Travis McComack (SS). Junior Aaron Conway is the Bears' only returning starter in the ou%ield.
2010 MVC PRESEASON ALL"CONFERENCE TEAM PLAYER, TEAM Clint McKeever, Wichita State Kevin Medrano, Missouri State Cody Fick, Evansville Elliot Soto, Creighton Kevin Sullivan, Bradley Tyler Bullock, Southern Illinois Tom Heitho", Evansville Ryan Strausborger, Indiana State Robbie Knight, Creighton Aaron Conway, Missouri State Jordan Cooper, Wichita State Aaron Meade, Missouri State Bryant George, Southern Illinois Bobby Lackovic, Creighton
2010 Preseason Poll RANK TEAM !1ST"PLACE VOTES#
YR. HOMETOWN !PREVIOUS SCHOOL" Sr. Oklahoma City, Okla. (Westmoore/Oklahoma St.) So. Lee's Summit, Mo. (Lee's Summit North) Jr. Freeburg, Mo. (Fa!ma/Je"erson College) Jr. Algonquin, Ill. (Dundee Crown) Sr. Elmhurst, Ill. (York/Oaktown JC) Sr. DuQuoin, Ill. (DuQuoin/Aus!n Peay) Sr. Carroll, Iowa (Kuemper Catholic/North Iowa Area CC) Sr. Osceola, Ind. (Elkhart Memorial) Sr. Bennington, Neb. (Millard North/Kansas State) Jr. Edwardsville, Ill. (Triad) So. Berryton, Kan. (Shawnee Heights) Jr. Kansas City, Mo. (Rockhurst) Sr. DuQuoin, Ill. (DuQuoin) Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Sku# Catholic)
Creighton brings back six starters and a barrage of talented veteran pitchers from last year's squad, including juniors Greg Hellhake (5-3, 4.73 ERA) and Jonas Dufek (4-7, 4.33 ERA). The bullpen will house senior Bobby Lackovic (6-1, 3.55 ERA), who led the Jays with six wins in 2009. CU's solid ineld experience welcomes back two starters from last season's team that led the NCAA in elding percentage (.984), in rst team all-MVC selec!on Elliot Soto (SS) and senior Jimmy Swi$ (3B). Junior all-Valley centerelder Robbie Knight and senior T.J. Roemmich will anchor the Jays' ou%ield.
2009 FINAL MVC STANDINGS Missouri Valley Conference Missouri State Indiana State Wichita State Creighton Southern Illinois Illinois State Northern Iowa Evansville Bradley
W 17 15 11 14 11 11 7 7 4
L 5 7 7 9 9 11 15 17 17
T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Illinois the di direcIlli i State, St t under d th !on of rst year head coach Mark Kingston, inherits an experienced group of returning players including seven starters and its top three pitchers from a season ago. Senior Ryan Copeland (4-5, 3.63 ERA), junior Corey Maines (6-5, 4.26 ERA) and sophomore Ryan Camp (6-3, 4.73 ERA) will handle the weekend rota!on, while senior Jim Sajewich returns as the top closer. Junior Ryan Court (3B) and senior Evan Kohli (1B) return to the Redbird ineld, while sophomore Kevin Tokarski is back in the Illinois State lineup a$er missing last season with an injury. Senior Anthony Ru"olo and junior Tyler McNeely, who led the team in doubles and home runs last season, also return to the Redbirds’ ou%ield. Southern Illinois returns seven starters and one star!ng pitcher from its 2009 squad. On the o"ensive front, senior Tyler Bullock (DH) returns to the Salukis a$er leading the team in home runs (11) in 2009, while sophomore Chris Serritella (1B) also returns to the SIU lineup a$er hi&ng .325 with 52 hits and 24 RBI in 2009. SIU welcomes back all three star!ng ou%ielders, including senior Aaron Roberts, junior Chris Murphy and sophomore Jordan Sivertsen. On the mound, senior le$hander Jimmy Cornell is the lone returning starter, a$er nishing 2-2 with a 3.26 ERA a year ago. Senior closer Bryant George, who holds the Saluki school record with 23 saves, returns as SIU's top reliever. Indiana State welcomes rst year head coach Rick Heller, who served his previous 10 seasons as the skipper at UNI, to take
Pct. .773 .682 .611 .609 .550 .500 .318 .292 .190
Overall Records W 34 33 30 31 24 25 23 25 17
L 20 21 27 25 28 23 26 30 31
T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pct. .630 .611 .526 .554 .462 .521 .469 .455 .354
the reigns off a SSycamore tteam th thatt won 33 th i games a season ago. Indiana State returns ve starters and its top two pitchers in rst team all-MVC selec!on Joe Rodriguez (7-3, 5.29 ERA) and junior Jacob Petricka (7-3, 4.76 ERA). The Sycamores will look to ll the o"ensive void le$ behind by Brady Shoemaker, Nick Ciolli and Bronco Lafrenz, who were all lost to the dra$ following last season. Two-!me all-Valley selec!on Ryan Strausborger (UT) returns as the Sycamores leader in runs (57) and hits (81), while seniors Luke Fieser (3B) and Tyler Graham (C) will also add to the o"ensive produc!on. Evansville returns an experienced group of players including six posi!on
starters and six pitchers from last year's squad that won 25 games, the second-most under a rst-year head coach in program history. Junior Cody Fick (3B), who led the team in runs (44), hits (70), doubles (19), home runs (9) and RBI (46), returns to the Purple Aces lineup as the top o"ensive threat. Seniors Tom Heitho" (1B/RHP) and Andy Pascoe (DH) will also be expected to help lead the charge in 2010. Juniors Greg Wallace (57 hits, 8 HR, 30 RBI) and Nate Smith and senior Alex Acheson will anchor a talented UE ou%ield. On the mound, Heitho" is expected to move from the bullpen into the star!ng rota!on to help anchor a young, but talented UE pitching sta". Bradley welcomes back three position starters and five pitchers from its 2009 team, led by senior Ma# Fritz, the Braves top returning leader in runs (33), hits (40), doubles (8) and stolen bases (24). Senior Kevin Sullivan (.277, 15 RBI) will return as Bradley's stopper, while sophomore Joe Bircher comes back to the Braves lineup a$er leading the team with a 4-2 record and 3.39 ERA last season. All eight Missouri Valley Conference baseball teams begin ac!on the last week of February, with tournament play and non-conference games, while league ba#les will heat up starting Friday, March 26.
Opening Weekend Schedule Fri., Feb. 20
Sat., Feb. 20
Sun., Feb. 21
Tues., Feb. 23
Opponent Bradley vs. Pi#sburgh Southern Illinois at Arkansas State Indiana State at Texas Southern Evansville at Belmont Illinois State at Aus!n Peay (Aus!n Peay Classic) Missouri State at Georgia Tech
Site Millington, Tenn. Jonesboro, Ark. Shreveport, La. Nashville, Tenn. Clarksville, Tenn.
Time 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.
Atlanta, Ga.
3:00 p.m.
Illinois State vs. Iowa (Aus!n Peay Classic) Indiana State at Texas Southern (DH) Evansville at Belmont (DH) Missouri State at Georgia Tech Southern Illinois at Arkansas State Creighton at Central Arkansas Creighton vs. SIU Edwardsville
Clarksville, Tenn.
11:00 a.m.
Shreveport, La. Nashville, Tenn. Atlanta, Ga. Jonesboro, Ark. Conway, Ark. Conway, Ark.
11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. TBA
Illinois State at Aus!n Peay (Aus!n Peay Classic) Missouri State at Georgia Tech Southern Illinois at Arkansas State
Clarksville, Tenn.
12:00 p.m.
Atlanta, Ga. Jonesboro, Ark.
12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.
Wichita State at Kansas
Lawrence, Kan.
5:00 p.m.
MVC Women’s Baseball Contact Kelli Briscoe, Asst. Director of Communica!ons [email protected] O$ce: (314) 421.0339, ext. 335 Cell: (314) 488.7120
February 2, 2010 ! For Immediate Release
Coaches Select Wichita State as Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Favorite ST. LOUIS – Wichita State, which returns a domina!ng young pitching sta" and solid depth from last year's Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship squad, has been tabbed as the league favorite in the annual coaches' preseason poll, receiving seven of eight rst-place votes. The Shockers tallied 57 points and were a close favorite over second-place pick and 2009 regular-season champion Missouri State (52 points). Creighton, who secured the remaining rst-place vote and 50 points overall, was picked to nish in the third posi!on. Illinois State was selected in fourth place with 38 points, followed by Southern Illinois in $h (33) and Indiana State in the sixth slot (29). Evansville (16) and Bradley (13) round out the nal two posi!ons in the poll. The Valley demonstrates a depth of talent and experience returning to the league this season. The coaches have voted 14 players represen!ng seven teams to the 2010 preseason all-MVC baseball squad. Missouri State and Creighton each land three players on the preseason all-Valley team. The Bears are noted by 2009 Freshman of the Year Kevin Medrano (2B), Aaron Meade (LHP) and Aaron Conway (OF), while Elliot Soto (SS), Robbie Knight (OF) and Bobby
Lackovic (RHP) represent the Jays on the preseason squad. Wichita State, Southern Illinois and Evansville earned two selec!ons apiece. The Shockers are represented by Clint McKeever (1B) and Jordan Cooper (RHP), while Tyler Bullock (DH) and Bryant George (RHP) are the Salukis' selec!ons. Cody Fick (3B) and Tom Heitho" (UT) represent the Purple Aces on the preseason squad.
POS. 1B 2B 3B SS C DH UT OF OF OF SP SP RP RP
B/T R/R L/R R/R R/R L/R L/R R/R R/R R/L R/R R/R R/L R/R R/R
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
POINTS
Wichita State (7) ...................................57 Missouri State .......................................52 Creighton (1) .........................................50 Illinois State ...........................................38 Southern Illinois ....................................33 Indiana State .........................................29 Evansville...............................................16 Bradley ..................................................13
Indiana State is represented by senior Ryan Strausborger (OF), while Bradley's Kevin Sullivan (C) lls the nal spot on the preseason all-Valley squad.
Mitch Caster, while 2009 MVC Newcomer of the Year Travis Benne#, a transfer from UNI, will also look to make an impact in the ou%ield.
A$er winning its league-leading 17th MVC tournament !tle and advancing to their eighthstraight NCAA Tournament last season, Wichita State returns seven starters and 19 le#erwinners in 2010. The pitching sta" returns its top three starters, including honorable men!on All-American and second team all-MVC selec!on Tim Kelley (5-4, 2.86 ERA), and sophomores Jordan Cooper (8-6, 2.78 ERA) and Charlie Lowell (6-2, 2.95 ERA). Senior Clint McKeever, the top returning o"ensive threat, returns to the Shocker lineup at rst base, and will be joined on the ineld by senior Will Baez (2B) and sophomore Tyler Grimes (SS). Two starters return in the ou%ield in senior Ryan Jones and junior
Missouri State welcomes back ve starters and eight pitchers from its 2009 MVC regular-season championship squad, but will look to ll the holes le$ by 2009 MVC Player and Pitcher of the Year, Brayden Drake and Buddy Baumann, respec!vely. Junior Aaron Meade (9-2, 3.39 ERA) will be the Bears ace in 2010, and will be complemented by senior Pat Doyle (4-2, 4.12 ERA) in the star!ng rota!on. The Bruins will be backed up on the ineld by junior Tyler Ryun (1B), 2009 MVC Freshman of the Year Kevin Medrano (2B) and sophomore Travis McComack (SS). Junior Aaron Conway is the Bears' only returning starter in the ou%ield.
2010 MVC PRESEASON ALL"CONFERENCE TEAM PLAYER, TEAM Clint McKeever, Wichita State Kevin Medrano, Missouri State Cody Fick, Evansville Elliot Soto, Creighton Kevin Sullivan, Bradley Tyler Bullock, Southern Illinois Tom Heitho", Evansville Ryan Strausborger, Indiana State Robbie Knight, Creighton Aaron Conway, Missouri State Jordan Cooper, Wichita State Aaron Meade, Missouri State Bryant George, Southern Illinois Bobby Lackovic, Creighton
2010 Preseason Poll RANK TEAM !1ST"PLACE VOTES#
YR. HOMETOWN !PREVIOUS SCHOOL" Sr. Oklahoma City, Okla. (Westmoore/Oklahoma St.) So. Lee's Summit, Mo. (Lee's Summit North) Jr. Freeburg, Mo. (Fa!ma/Je"erson College) Jr. Algonquin, Ill. (Dundee Crown) Sr. Elmhurst, Ill. (York/Oaktown JC) Sr. DuQuoin, Ill. (DuQuoin/Aus!n Peay) Sr. Carroll, Iowa (Kuemper Catholic/North Iowa Area CC) Sr. Osceola, Ind. (Elkhart Memorial) Sr. Bennington, Neb. (Millard North/Kansas State) Jr. Edwardsville, Ill. (Triad) So. Berryton, Kan. (Shawnee Heights) Jr. Kansas City, Mo. (Rockhurst) Sr. DuQuoin, Ill. (DuQuoin) Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Sku# Catholic)
Creighton brings back six starters and a barrage of talented veteran pitchers from last year's squad, including juniors Greg Hellhake (5-3, 4.73 ERA) and Jonas Dufek (4-7, 4.33 ERA). The bullpen will house senior Bobby Lackovic (6-1, 3.55 ERA), who led the Jays with six wins in 2009. CU's solid ineld experience welcomes back two starters from last season's team that led the NCAA in elding percentage (.984), in rst team all-MVC selec!on Elliot Soto (SS) and senior Jimmy Swi$ (3B). Junior all-Valley centerelder Robbie Knight and senior T.J. Roemmich will anchor the Jays' ou%ield.
2009 FINAL MVC STANDINGS Missouri Valley Conference Missouri State Indiana State Wichita State Creighton Southern Illinois Illinois State Northern Iowa Evansville Bradley
W 17 15 11 14 11 11 7 7 4
L 5 7 7 9 9 11 15 17 17
T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Illinois the di direcIlli i State, St t under d th !on of rst year head coach Mark Kingston, inherits an experienced group of returning players including seven starters and its top three pitchers from a season ago. Senior Ryan Copeland (4-5, 3.63 ERA), junior Corey Maines (6-5, 4.26 ERA) and sophomore Ryan Camp (6-3, 4.73 ERA) will handle the weekend rota!on, while senior Jim Sajewich returns as the top closer. Junior Ryan Court (3B) and senior Evan Kohli (1B) return to the Redbird ineld, while sophomore Kevin Tokarski is back in the Illinois State lineup a$er missing last season with an injury. Senior Anthony Ru"olo and junior Tyler McNeely, who led the team in doubles and home runs last season, also return to the Redbirds’ ou%ield. Southern Illinois returns seven starters and one star!ng pitcher from its 2009 squad. On the o"ensive front, senior Tyler Bullock (DH) returns to the Salukis a$er leading the team in home runs (11) in 2009, while sophomore Chris Serritella (1B) also returns to the SIU lineup a$er hi&ng .325 with 52 hits and 24 RBI in 2009. SIU welcomes back all three star!ng ou%ielders, including senior Aaron Roberts, junior Chris Murphy and sophomore Jordan Sivertsen. On the mound, senior le$hander Jimmy Cornell is the lone returning starter, a$er nishing 2-2 with a 3.26 ERA a year ago. Senior closer Bryant George, who holds the Saluki school record with 23 saves, returns as SIU's top reliever. Indiana State welcomes rst year head coach Rick Heller, who served his previous 10 seasons as the skipper at UNI, to take
Pct. .773 .682 .611 .609 .550 .500 .318 .292 .190
Overall Records W 34 33 30 31 24 25 23 25 17
L 20 21 27 25 28 23 26 30 31
T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pct. .630 .611 .526 .554 .462 .521 .469 .455 .354
the reigns off a SSycamore tteam th thatt won 33 th i games a season ago. Indiana State returns ve starters and its top two pitchers in rst team all-MVC selec!on Joe Rodriguez (7-3, 5.29 ERA) and junior Jacob Petricka (7-3, 4.76 ERA). The Sycamores will look to ll the o"ensive void le$ behind by Brady Shoemaker, Nick Ciolli and Bronco Lafrenz, who were all lost to the dra$ following last season. Two-!me all-Valley selec!on Ryan Strausborger (UT) returns as the Sycamores leader in runs (57) and hits (81), while seniors Luke Fieser (3B) and Tyler Graham (C) will also add to the o"ensive produc!on. Evansville returns an experienced group of players including six posi!on
starters and six pitchers from last year's squad that won 25 games, the second-most under a rst-year head coach in program history. Junior Cody Fick (3B), who led the team in runs (44), hits (70), doubles (19), home runs (9) and RBI (46), returns to the Purple Aces lineup as the top o"ensive threat. Seniors Tom Heitho" (1B/RHP) and Andy Pascoe (DH) will also be expected to help lead the charge in 2010. Juniors Greg Wallace (57 hits, 8 HR, 30 RBI) and Nate Smith and senior Alex Acheson will anchor a talented UE ou%ield. On the mound, Heitho" is expected to move from the bullpen into the star!ng rota!on to help anchor a young, but talented UE pitching sta". Bradley welcomes back three position starters and five pitchers from its 2009 team, led by senior Ma# Fritz, the Braves top returning leader in runs (33), hits (40), doubles (8) and stolen bases (24). Senior Kevin Sullivan (.277, 15 RBI) will return as Bradley's stopper, while sophomore Joe Bircher comes back to the Braves lineup a$er leading the team with a 4-2 record and 3.39 ERA last season. All eight Missouri Valley Conference baseball teams begin ac!on the last week of February, with tournament play and non-conference games, while league ba#les will heat up starting Friday, March 26.
Opening Weekend Schedule Fri., Feb. 20
Sat., Feb. 20
Sun., Feb. 21
Tues., Feb. 23
Opponent Bradley vs. Pi#sburgh Southern Illinois at Arkansas State Indiana State at Texas Southern Evansville at Belmont Illinois State at Aus!n Peay (Aus!n Peay Classic) Missouri State at Georgia Tech
Site Millington, Tenn. Jonesboro, Ark. Shreveport, La. Nashville, Tenn. Clarksville, Tenn.
Time 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.
Atlanta, Ga.
3:00 p.m.
Illinois State vs. Iowa (Aus!n Peay Classic) Indiana State at Texas Southern (DH) Evansville at Belmont (DH) Missouri State at Georgia Tech Southern Illinois at Arkansas State Creighton at Central Arkansas Creighton vs. SIU Edwardsville
Clarksville, Tenn.
11:00 a.m.
Shreveport, La. Nashville, Tenn. Atlanta, Ga. Jonesboro, Ark. Conway, Ark. Conway, Ark.
11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. TBA
Illinois State at Aus!n Peay (Aus!n Peay Classic) Missouri State at Georgia Tech Southern Illinois at Arkansas State
Clarksville, Tenn.
12:00 p.m.
Atlanta, Ga. Jonesboro, Ark.
12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.
Wichita State at Kansas
Lawrence, Kan.
5:00 p.m.
