March 4, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Illinois State will play five games against teams that qualified for the 2009 NCAA Tournament, starting with Indiana, Vanderbilt and Kent State at the Music City Classic (March 5-7) in Nashville, Tenn. The Redbirds begin the tournament against Indiana Friday at noon.
Last Time Out
Light rain and a tight tournament schedule were the only things that could slow down Illinois State at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational last weekend as the Redbirds went 3-0. Illinois State torched St. Bonaventure for 21 runs Sunday before outlasting Duquesne, 16-15, in 11 innings. The Redbirds concluded their sweep through competition in the Sunshine State with a 7-4 win over Western Michigan Monday. Illinois State has won four consecutive games leading into this weekend's tournament in Nashville, Tenn.
The Opponent: Indiana Hoosiers
• Indiana is located in Bloomington, Ind., and has an enrollment of 40,354. The Hoosiers are members of the Big Ten Conference.
• The Hoosiers return 15 letterwinners, but just three offensive starters from a team that went 32-27 last season and 16-7 in Big Ten competition. Indiana won the 2009 Big Ten Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
• Indiana is coached by Tracy Smith (Miami (Ohio), '89), in his fifth season. Prior to the 2010 season Smith was 421-346-1 in 13 seasons as a head coach and 104-126 as the leader of the Hoosiers.
• Friday's contest marks the fourth meeting between the Redbirds and Hoosiers, all in this decade. Illinois State holds a slight 2-1 edge in the all-time series and won the last meeting with the Hoosiers, 12-5, to open the 2008 Austin Peay Classic (Feb. 29).
• Illinois State is 0-1 against teams from the Big Ten Conference this season after losing to Iowa, 19-11, at the Riverview Inn Classic in Clarksville, Tenn.
The Opponent: Vanderbilt Commodores
• Vanderbilt is located in Nashville, Tenn., and has an enrollment of 6,637. The Commodores are members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
• The Commodores return seven position starters and 10 pitchers from last year's team that reached the finals of the Louisville Regional in the NCAA Tournament. The 2009 Commodores were 37-27 and posted a 12-17 mark in SEC play. Vanderbilt was 22-11 at home last season.
• Vanderbilt is coached by Tim Corbin (Ohio Wesleyan, '84), who entered his eighth season as head coach of the Commodores with a 276-157 record. In his 12 total seasons as a head coach, Corbin has compiled a 382-295 record.
• Illinois State and Vanderbilt have met eight times with each team winning four games in the all-time series. Saturday's contest marks the first contest between the two schools since 2005.
The Opponent: Kent State Golden Flashes
• Kent State is located in Kent, Ohio, and has an enrollment of 34,000. The Golden Flashes are members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
• Kent State went 43-17 last season while earning an NCAA Regional berth. The Golden Flashes welcome back six positional starters and one starting pitcher among 19 returning letterwinners.
• Kent State is coached by Scott Stricklin (Kent State, '84), who entered the 2010 season with a 183-103 record in five seasons, all at his alma mater.
• Sunday's game will be the first between Illinois State and Kent State.
ISU Friday Starter: RHP Corey Maines (1-0, 2.53 ERA)
Corey Maines, a junior right hander, spent the first two years of his Redbird career as a two-way player, playing in the outfield when not on the mound, but will make the shift to full-time pitching duty only in 2010. The Houston, Texas, native finished the 2009 season tied for the team lead with six wins while making a team-best 14 starts. Maines was dazzling at times, striking out a career-best 10 batters in his start against Evansville (3/22) and struck out five or more batters in nine starts. Maines more than doubled his strikeout total - 26 in 2008 to 69 in 2009 - while keeping his walks allowed nearly the same - 21 in 2008 to 29 in 2009. Maines also dropped his opponent batting average from .323 in 2008 to .265 in 2009. Illinois State is 2-0 in Maines' starts this season and he's coming off a strong effort after taking a perfect game into the fifth inning against St. Bonaventure.
ISU Saturday Starter: LHP Ryan Copeland (0-0, 8.00 ERA)
Senior left-handed pitcher Ryan Copeland will look to rebound Saturday against Vanderbilt after giving up 10 hits in just three innings against Duquesne in his last start. Copeland, a Des Plaines, Ill., native pounds the strike zone - led the nation in walks allowed per nine innings in 2008 - and uses movement to keep hitters guessing - .246 opponent batting average in 2009. Copeland was fifth in the country with six complete games last season, including three to start the 2009 campaign (2-1, 0.89 ERA). The Redbirds are hoping a talent infusion in the bullpen will keep Copeland from having to go the distance in as many games, but the team knows he can eat innings with great success (Valley leading 1.08 WHIP in 2009).
ISU Sunday Starter: RHP Ryan Camp (1-1, 7.36 ERA)
Sophomore right-hander Ryan Camp will start the Music City Classic finale for Illinois State against Kent State. Camp shrugged off a lackluster season-opening start to earn his first win of the season Monday against Western Michigan in Auburndale, Fla. Camp didn't shy away from the challenge when inserted as the team's Friday night starter as a freshman in 2009, posting a 6-3 record and 4.73 ERA in 13 games. Camp only got better once the difficult Missouri Valley Conference season started limiting opposing hitters to a .234 batting average and led the Redbirds to their first win on the road at Wichita State since 1995. Illinois State was 6-2 in Camp's Valley starts, not including a win over Indiana State in the State Farm MVC Tournament - the team's first tourney win since 2001. Camp was named Missouri Valley All-Conference honorable mention before being tabbed as the starter for the Clark Griffith Collegiate Baseball League in the 2009 Joe Branzell All-Star Game last summer.
Tokarski Sprinting Towards History, 90 Feet at a Time
Illinois State redshirt sophomore Kevin Tokarski set a single-season school record with 32 steals as a freshman in 2008, and despite missing the majority of last season while rehabbing from wrist surgery, he's picked up right where he left off. Tokarski is 8-for-8 on stolen bases heading into the weekend with 41 career steals. Tokarski is just seven steals from moving into the top-3 on Illinois State's all-time chart and 14 thefts from tying for the all-time lead.
Illinois State Career Stolen Bases
1. Mike Prior (83-85) 55
2. Matt Bolt (04-07) 51
3. Mark Dorencz (90-93) 48
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Kevin Tokarski (2008-present) 41
Long Relief
Kenny Long, a redshirt sophomore left-handed reliever, pitched 4.1 scoreless innings while earning the win in Illinois State's extra-inning victory over Duquesne Sunday, holding the Dukes to just one hit. Long has logged six scoreless innings of relief and struck out seven batters. Long is holding opponents to a .143 batting average.
Tokarski Named MVC Player of the Week (Feb. 22)
Kevin Tokarski was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week (Feb. 22), after leading Illinois State in hits, doubles and stolen bases during the Redbirds season-opening weekend at the Riverview Inn Classic in Clarksville, Tenn. Tokarski knocked the first pitch of the 2010 season for a triple and finished the weekend with a game-tying, two-RBI double in the ninth inning of the Redbirds 15-8 come-from-behind win against Austin Peay.
The triple served notice that Tokarksi, who missed the 2009 season while recovering from wrist surgery, is back. The redshirt sophomore from Downers Grove, Ill., scored four runs and drove in three while batting .538 (7-for-13) in Illinois State's first three games. Tokarski, who set a school record for steals (32) while earning Valley Freshman of the Year honors in 2008, swiped three bases and knocked three doubles.
Hot Start for Hinshaw
Freshman center fielder Chad Hinshaw was a perfect 3-for-3 with two walks in his Redbird debut, the team's season-opener against Austin Peay (Feb. 19). The Bloomington, Ill., native continued his hot streak into the Iowa game (Feb. 20) when he went 2-for-3 and walked three more times. In all, Hinshaw started his career by reaching base in 10-of-11 at-bats, a .909 on-base percentage. He enters the weekend with a .600 on-base percentage and has drawn a team-best 10 walks.
Wiesemeyer Out Six Weeks
Illinois State junior Ty Wiesemeyer will miss at least six weeks after undergoing surgery (Feb. 25) to repair a broken hand. Wiesemeyer started and batted in the No. 3 spot during Illinois State's first three games. A junior college transfer from Heartland Community College, Wiesemeyer was 0-for-9 to start the season, but drew five walks leading to a .412 on-base percentage and scored two runs.
Illinois State Expecting Speed to be Better in 2010
This may not be Illinois State head coach Mark Kingston's 2001 Miami team that stole 228 bases and had four players with at least 30 steals, but it won't be the 55 steal Redbirds of 2009 either. Through six games, Illinois State has swiped 22 bases in 25 attempts. Kevin Tokarski (33 steals as a freshman in 2008) is back on the diamond after missing last season with a wrist injury and the Redbirds welcome Ty Wiesemeyer (30 steals at Heartland Community College in 2009), Brett Kay (20 steals and eight triples as a senior) and Chad Hinshaw (34 steals as a senior). Tyler McNeely (12 steals last season) is also a threat to swipe a bag.
Redbirds Predicted to Finish Fourth in Valley Coaches' Poll
The Illinois State baseball team received its highest preseason, Missouri Valley Conference ranking since 2004 as the Redbirds were tabbed as the No. 4 team in the league, according to the coaches' poll. Illinois State received 38 points in the poll and was slated to finish behind Wichita State (57), Missouri State (52) and Creighton (50) - grouped tightly at the top of the rankings. Wichita State, the defending State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champion, received seven of the possible eight first place votes. Creighton received the other first place vote. Southern Illinois (33), Indiana State (29), Evansville (16) and Bradley (13) were picked to finish behind ISU.
School (First Place Votes) Points
1. Wichita State (7) 57
2. Missouri State 52
3. Creighton (1) 50
4. Illinois State 38
5. Southern Illinois 33
6. Indiana State 29
7. Evansville 16
8. Bradley 13
Redbirds Establish New Mark for Academic Excellence
The Illinois State baseball team posted a 3.1 grade-point average (GPA) and landed 24 student-athletes on the AFNI Athletics Honor Roll during the fall semester, setting the highest single-semester mark in program history.
Freshman outfielder Chad Hinshaw earned a perfect 4.0 GPA during his first semester as a collegiate student-athlete and led the charge for the Redbirds to tie the previous baseball team record set during the fall 2006 semester. Redshirt Junior Ryan Court also turned in a strong semester and continues to lead the returning baseball Redbirds with a 3.77 cumulative GPA.
Supporting Cast Arrives in Illinois State Bullpen
The 2009 version of Illinois State bullpen was essentially two-man show with Kyle Nelson and Jim Sajewich getting the majority of work when games were on the line. Both made at least 20 appearances and logged 33 innings or more. Junior right-handers Jake Wielebnicki and Matt Werderitch are back after undergoing ulnar transposition surgeries last season, and lefty specialist Kenny Long has dropped his arm angle in search of increased success. An assortment of new pitchers will add necessary depth. The Redbirds welcome six new pitchers, including junior college transfers Kasey Ourada and Cory Stonelake. and freshmen pitchers JD Learnard, Steve Maher. Brad Sorkin and Cam Verbeke. The coaches will also select mid-week starters from that crew.
'Birds Garner Dark Horse and Rising Stock Tags
Illinois State was tagged as the Valley's "dark horse" in College Baseball Today's conference preview and were labeled a team with "rising stock" according to Yahoo! Sports College Baseball's MVC preview. Giddy-up!
Sajewich Nearing Career Appearance Record
Illinois State redshirt senior Jim Sajewich was called in from the bullpen a team-high 22 times last season and with two more outings during opening weekend, is approaching the career mark for appearances. Sajewich moved into second all-time with 72 appearances. The Wheaton, Ill., native is 14 appearances behind former teammate and current leader Eric Theisen (2004-08), who appeared in 86 games during his career.
Illinois State Career Appearances
1. Eric Theisen (2004-08) 86
2. Jim Sajewich (2006-present) 72
3. Kyle Zaleski (2001-04) 70
4. Dan Sorce (2006-08) 68
5. Jason Pearson (1995-98) 64
Mirabal One of Valley's Best Behind the Dish
Sophomore catcher Matt Mirabal's .243 batting average may have kept him from garnering recognition on the Valley's Preseason All-Conference Team but a poll of league coaches by College Baseball Insider labeled him as the best defensive catcher and best catcher arm in the Valley. Mirabal threw out 15 would-be base stealers during the 2009 season. He was tabbed as one of the team's most improved players in a poll of his teammates prior to the start of the 2010 season.
Redbirds Return Three All-Conference Performers
Ryan Camp, Ryan Court and Tyler McNeely were among five Redbirds to earn All-Missouri Valley Conference honors last season. Each player was named All-MVC Honorable Honorable Mention, while helping the Redbirds advance to their first State Farm MVC Tournament since 2001. The five honorees was the most for Illinois State since the Redbirds placed five on the 2006 All-Missouri Valley Conference teams.
Camp posted a 6-3 record and 4.73 ERA in 13 starts as a freshman. Camp went 3-2, with a team-best 4.39 ERA in eight Valley starts and limited opposing hitters to a .234 batting average in conference play. Court batted .323 overall and drove in 25 of his team-best 41 RBI during conference games. Court also led the Redbirds with 21 runs scored and a .443 on-base percentage in Valley games. McNeely finished the 2009 season with a team-best seven home runs and hit five of them in conference competition. He hit .305 in Valley games, much better than his .264 average for the entire season.
Game-Changer Tokarksi Returns to Illinois State Lineup
It's tough to lose a player at any position, but the Redbirds were dealt a heavy blow when Kevin Tokarski couldn't take the field in 2009 while recovering from glove-hand wrist surgery. Tokarski earned Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Honorable Mention honors and was tabbed as the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year after hitting .303 and swiping a school-record 32 bases in his 2008 debut season. Tokarski started every game at shortstop during his freshman season and was set to move to second base prior to the premature end to last year. He's slated as the starter at second base and the Redbirds will welcome his quick bat and game-changing speed back to the lineup.
Court Named to Academic All-District V First Team
Illinois State third baseman Ryan Court was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V First Team in 2009. Court was one of three Missouri Valley Conference players on the District V team.
Court, leads the baseball team with a 3.77 GPA in business teacher education. He was one of Illinois State's most productive offensive players after playing in just eight games in 2008. He has posted a 3.5 GPA or higher and landed on the AFNI Honor Roll in all seven of his semesters at Illinois State, and has twice posted a perfect 4.0 GPA in a semester.
Summer Catch...Minus the Bad Acting
Sophomore pitcher Ryan Camp, junior third baseman Ryan Court and junior college transfer Ty Wiesemeyer played together last summer in the Clark Griffith League, a wood-bat collegiate baseball summer league. The trio helped lead the Vienna Senators to a CGL title and Camp was named the CGL's top prospect according to Baseball America after also starting in the CGL's All-Star game. Camp went 5-0 with a 2.74 ERA in 13 appearances. He struck out 44 batters in 42.2 and limited opponents to a .210 batting average. Wiesemeyer was error free in 67 chances and batted .280. Court tied for the team lead with eight doubles and drove in 19 runs.
Draw a Walk, Keep the Baseball
When it comes to issuing walks, Illinois State pitcher Ryan Copeland is one of the stingiest in the nation. Copeland ranked No. 32 nationally last season with 1.47 walks per nine innings, after leading the nation with just nine walks surrendered in 89.1 innings in 2008. Last year, Copeland allowed 15 free passes - the most he's ever allowed in a season. Copeland entered the 2010 season with 34 base-on-balls in 250.1 career innings. Among pitchers with 50 innings or more, Copeland led the Missouri Valley Conference with a 1.08 WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) in 2009.
Illinois State Career Walks/9 inn. (min. 100 IP)
1. Ryan Copeland (250.1 IP, 2007-present) 1.22
2. BJ Burkhart (185.0 IP, 1998-99) 1.51
3. David Schoeberlein (124.1 IP, 1998-2001) 1.74
4. Kevin McMahon (133.1 IP, 1995-96) 1.89
5. Ed Stryker (167.1 IP, 1989-90) 2.10
Going the Distance
Illinois State left-hander Ryan Copeland threw a career-high six complete games last season, which tied for fifth among all NCAA Division I players. Among Copeland's complete games were two of the nine inning variety, one eight-inning and three seven-inning complete games. Copeland pitched six innings or more in each of his 12 starts and led the Missouri Valley Conference with an average of 7.18 innings per start.
A New Beginning
Mark Kingston was named Illinois State's ninth head coach last summer after compiling exactly 500 wins in 13 years as an assistant coach. Kingston helped lead Miami to a National Championship as an assistant in 2001 and reached the College World Series on two other occasions - as a player (UNC '89) and associate head coach (Tulane '05). Kingston was an assistant for Illinois State's offensive-record-setting 1999 team and helped re-energize the program as associate head coach last season.
In the Pros
Illinois State has six active players in professional baseball. Those players are: Jeremy Accardo (Toronto Blue Jays), Kyle Bloom (Pittsburgh Pirates), Neal Cotts (Pittsburgh Pirates), Tyler Cox (Pittsburgh Pirates), Kevin Dubler (Chicago White Sox) and Matt Herges (Kansas City Royals). Accardo, Cotts and Herges all saw time in the Major Leagues last season. Kyle Bloom is the closest of the remaining group to getting the call after spending two successful seasons at Altoona (AA). Bloom was selected in the first round of the 2008 Rule Five Draft by the Detroit Tigers but was returned to Pittsburgh following Spring Training. He has a chance to make the Pirates' roster as a left-handed specialist.
