With over 80 percent of the their pitching victories back and five of their top six hitters also returning, Jim Brownlee and the Illinois State baseball staff are anticipating a good spring season. Evidently so is
Baseball America.
Illinois State was picked to finish third in the Missouri Valley Conference in one of the first polls released this season by the national publication Baseball America, behind top vote-getter Wichita State and second place Southern Illinois. In addition, junior outfielder Jeremy Pickrel and junior left-handed pitcher Kyle Bloom were selected to the preseason all-conference teams.
These things are really for the media people, but it is nice to be recognized, said second-year Illinois State coach Jim Brownlee. Ive always said that it doesnt matter where you start, its where you finish, and thats still the case. But its nice to see that others also believe we have a great group of returners and a good batch of newcomers this year.
Pickrel, a 2003 second-team All-Valley selection, hit .317 last season with 12 home runs and 39 RBI. The junior from Henderson, Ill., was also tabbed by
Baseball America as Best Pure Hitter and Best Defensive Outfielder, in the Valley.
Bloom, a 2003 honorable mention Valley selection, is coming off a 4-5 season with 79 strikeouts and a 3.94 ERA.
Bloom was selected as the third best professional prospect in the league, while Pickrel was eighth.
Kyle and Jeremy both opened a lot of professional eyes by following up last season with a very strong summer in the CICL (Central Illinois Collegiate League), added Brownlee. Theyve worked hard to put themselves in this position. If they have good years, we will have a good year.
Wichita States Drew Moffitt was selected as Player of the Year, while the Shockers also had the preseason Pitcher of the Year in Mike Pelfrey.
The official Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll and all-conference team is scheduled to be released on February 3. Illinois State opens up its 2004 season February 27 at Louisville.
1. Wichita State
2. Southern Illinois
3. Illinois State
4. Southwest Missouri State
5. Evansville
6. Creighton
7. Northern Iowa
8. Indiana State
9. Bradley
