July 12, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
All-stars, league title contenders, teammates and local prep standouts encompass the group of Illinois State baseball players in this week's edition of Around the Horn; a look into the progress of Redbird baseball players competing in the various collegiate summer baseball leagues. Tyler McNeely, Gabe DeMarco, Mike Tokarski, Dan Weston and Christopher Newsome are ISU's returning players who highlight the weekly baseball review.
McNeely has enjoyed a standout summer season thus far as a member of the Allegany County Nitros of the New York Collegiate Baseball League. The Normal, Ill., native was the team leader in batting average (.318) heading into the NYBCL All-Star Game. McNeely was selected as a Western All-Star and was a reserve in the outfield during the all-star event on July 6.
The centerfielder has been a key part to the Nitros' fast-start, as the team has a 21-6 record and holds a 4.5 game lead in the West Division. Through 27 games, McNeely has hit .289 with 28 hits (four doubles) and 12 RBI.
DeMarco, Tokarski and Weston are also both contributing as members of the DuPage Dragons of the Central Illinois Collegiate Baseball League (CIBL). DeMarco, a native of Rockford, Ill., has batted .274 with three home runs and 12 RBI. Weston has pulled double duty by spending time both in the outfield and on the mound, hitting .244 with five doubles and eight RBI while going 0-1 with a 6.48 earned-run-average in 8.1 innings. Weston, the Lyons Township High School product, has also recorded one save and struck out eight batters while swiping nine bases on the base paths.
Tokarksi has hit .213 in 61 at-bats, as the infielder from Downers Grove, Ill., has stolen four bases and drove in three RBI. Through 27 games, the Dragons are 14-13 and tied for first place with the Dubois Bombers in the CIBL League standings.
Newsome is a relief pitcher for the Fauquier Gators, who are in its first season as members of the Valley Baseball League in Virginia. Newsome, a native of Pontiac, Ill., has a 3.00 ERA and a 0-2 record in eight appearances on the bump, striking out 12 and giving up only four earned runs in 12.0 innings of work.
Stay tuned to GoRedbirds.com, as it will continue to follow Illinois State baseball players competing in the various collegiate summer leagues throughout the summer months.
