June 23, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. - Throw strikes, put pressure on hitters and get outs. Illinois State junior-to-be Ryan Copeland's philosophy on the mound may be simple, but it's yielding great results in the Central Illinois Collegiate League (CICL) this summer. Copeland is one of four Redbirds in the league and one of a handful of Illinois State baseball players honing their skills in summer leagues across the country.
Copeland was among the CICL leaders after Sunday's games, with 19 strikeouts in just 12 innings of work. The Des Plaines, Ill., native is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts for the Dupage Dragons. Perhaps more impressive than the strikeout totals are the four walks that Copeland has issued thus far.
"I try to throw strikes," Copeland said. "The wood bat is a big adjustment for hitters; I let the guys get themselves out. That's all you have to do - compete and have fun. In the summer, you're supposed to get better, but it's a nice break from the spring season where everything's magnified."
It doesn't seem like Copeland is taking any break from the spring, where he led the Illinois State pitching staff in starts (13), innings pitched (89.1) and strikeouts (72). Copeland also yielded just nine walks, while going 4-7 with a 3.93 ERA.
"As long as I can remember, I've always been able to throw strikes," Copeland said. "Working with the coaching staff in high school and at Illinois State, I've learned the difference between good control and good command. I think I have to - I'm not the kind of pitcher that's going to go nine innings and give up two hits. If you can make a team string together three or four hits, that's tough. When you throw in walks here and there, a one-run inning becomes a four-run inning. (Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee) says he'd much rather see me give up a home run than walk a guy.
"I think I have that mindset because I'm able to have that mindset. My mechanics and frame make it pretty easy. I keep working on command and being able to throw a pitch wherever I want, whenever I want."
Copeland expects to make his next start Saturday against Danville, but a six-man rotation and a number of rainouts have made a regular schedule impossible.
Redbird middle infielder and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Kevin Tokarski has teamed up with Copeland to help the Dragons to a 7-5 record in league play. Tokarski is hitting .343 in nine games, seventh-highest in the league, and has scored three runs. Tokarski has drawn three walks and is reaching base at a .410 clip.
Illinois State sophomores-to-be Ronnie Calvird and Corey Maines are also playing together in the CICL. Maines has yet to give up an earned run in five appearances on the mound, while striking out nine in 7.2 innings for the Dubois County Bombers. Calvird is third on the team with 17 assists and is hitting .189 in 11 games.
Elsewhere around the country, Quinn Ewert has a hit in his only plate appearance for the Bethesda Big Train of the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League and has struck out three batters in three innings of relief. Ben Hays is playing for his hometown Joplin (Mo.) Slashers of the Jayhawk Collegiate League and Ken Long is pitching for the Allegheny County Nitros in the New York Collegiate League.
Three other Redbirds are playing in the Great Lakes Collegiate League. Mike Stalowy is hitting .250 in six games, and Jake Wielebnicki has a 1-0 record with a 4.76 ERA in four appearances for the Grand Lake Mariners. Wielebnicki has struck out four batters and walked one in 5.2 innings. Ryan Court has a perfect fielding percentage as a utility player for the Anderson Servants, with 13 putouts and three assists.
A pair of Illinois State signees played as teammates for the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League before being released late last week. Brian Earley was 1-1 with a miniscule 0.57 ERA in three starts and Evan Kohli hit .167 in five games while also pitching an inning. Earley surrendered just five hits and one earned run in 15.2 innings. Both signed 10-day contracts and were filling roster space while players finished competing at the NCAA Tournament.
Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League
Quinn Ewert (Bethesda Big Train)
Central Illinois Baseball League
Ronnie Calvird (Dubois County Bombers)
Ryan Copeland (Dupage Dragons)
Corey Maines (Dubois County Bombers)
Kevin Tokarski (Dupage Dragons)
Great Lakes Collegiate League
Ryan Court (Anderson Servants)
Mike Stalowy (Grand Lake Mariners)
Jake Wielebnicki (Grand Lake Mariners)
Jayhawk Collegiate League
Ben Hays (Joplin Slashers)
New York Collegiate Baseball League
Ken Long (Allegheny County Nitros)
Northwoods League
*Bryan Earley (Madison Mallards)
*Evan Kohli (Madison Mallards)
*10-day contract not picked up
