July 18, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
As the summer months begin to fade, the Illinois State baseball team's recruiting efforts continue to brighten with latest signing of Mike Hlavacek, junior college transfer from Elgin Community College. Hlavacek is the fourth pitching prospect signed for the 2005-06 season and the ninth recruit overall for head coach Jim Brownlee and the Redbirds.
Hlavacek, a Hoffman Estates, Ill., native, had a stellar sophomore campaign for the Spartans in 2005 as one of the team captains. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound right-hander compiled an 11-0 record with a 2.21 ERA, led the team with 80 strikeouts and tied for the team lead in wins. He played in 15 games, starting 12 of those and recording six complete games and two shutouts on the season.
Those numbers, combined with his team's third-place finish in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II World Series and a 54-10 record overall, earned Hlavacek 2005 NJCAA All-American First Team honors. In addition, Hlavacek was named a 2005 Region IV All-Region First Team member and a 2004-05 Skyway Conference All-Academic First Team selection.
Illinois State pitching coach Seth Kenny is impressed with his new pitcher.
"Being named a first team all-American speaks for itself as to Mike's ability," said Kenny. "His ability to throw three good pitches for strikes is something we've been lacking on this staff for a while. I think Mike adds depth to the staff, and he will be able to compete for a spot pitching on the weekends for us this year."
Hlavacek is the second junior college transfer to sign with the Redbirds for 2005-06. He joins Jesse Griswold (Parkland College) as the only recruits with college experience. He also joins high school recruits Dan Sorce (Lyons Township H.S.), Ian Berger (Oak Park-River Forest H.S.), Jim Sajewich (Glenbard West H.S.), Gabe DeMarco (Rockford Boylan H.S.), Kevin Dubler (Downers Grove South H.S.), Mike Staloway (Joliet Catholic) and Mike Tokarski (Downers Grove North H.S.) in the fall at ISU.
