March 9, 2010
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Illinois State begins a two-game, mid-week series with one of the top teams in the nation Tuesday night when they face off with the Florida Gators at McKethan Stadium.
The series marks the completion of a grueling five-game slate against teams that qualified for 2009 NCAA Regionals and will be the toughest opponent yet for the Redbirds.
Illinois State went 0-3 at the 2010 Music City Classic, hosted by then-No. 25 Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. The Redbirds dropped decisions to Indiana, Kent State and the Commodores. The losses snapped a four-game winning streak for ISU.
The Redbirds will look to freshman right-hander Brad Sorkin Tuesday night against the Gators. Sorkin will make his first collegiate start against No. 6 Florida, and has no decisions in two relief appearances this season. Sorkin has six strikeouts in 5.0 innings and has posted a 7.20 ERA.
Florida enters the mid-week series on the heels of a series win over No. 10 Miami. The Gators beat the Hurricanes in two out of three games to claim their first series win over Miami since 2007.
Gator freshman right hander Hudson Randall will start on Tuesday night. Florida outfielder Matt den Dekker enters the mid-week series with an active 18-game hitting streak, while Illinois State's Zach Amrein has hit safely in each of his first nine games as a Redbird.
No starter has been decided for the Redbirds in Wednesday's game, but sophomore righty Anthony DeSclafani will throw for Florida.
The series serves as the midpoint for ISU's spring trip, which concludes this weekend at the UNF Kennel Club Classic in Jacksonville, Fla.
Last Time Out
Illinois State entered a grueling five-game stretch against 2009 NCAA Regional qualifiers looking to post a statement win and left the 2010 Music City Classic in Nashville still searching. The Redbirds dropped a 6-4 decision to Indiana Friday before being defeated by tournament-host and then-No. 25 Vanderbilt, 9-2, Saturday. Illinois State wrapped eight innings of excellent pitching around a seven-run inning against Kent State and couldn't complete a rally in a 7-2 loss. The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Redbirds against No. 7 Florida.
The Opponent: Florida Gators
• The University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Fla., and has an enrollment of 52,112. The Gators are members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
• Florida returns 20 letterwinners, including five position starters and 10 pitchers, from a team that went 42-22 and advanced to a NCAA Super Regional. The Gators were 19-11 while finishing first in the SEC East and third in the conference overall. Florida was 30-10 at McKethan Stadium last season and hosted both the regional and super regional.
• Florida is coached by Kevin O'Sullivan (Virginia '91), who is 83-48 in his third season as head coach of the Gators, his only head coaching position.
• Illinois State and Florida have never met on the baseball diamond. Illinois State is 0-1 against teams from the SEC this season after dropping a 9-2 decision to Vanderbilt in Nashville last weeekend.
ISU Tuesday Starter: RHP Brad Sorkin (0-0, 7.20 ERA)
Brad Sorkin, a freshman right hander from Buffalo Grove, Ill., will make his first collegiate start Tuesday against Florida. As a senior at Stevenson High School, Sorkin posted a 6-2 record with a 1.45 ERA and helped his team earn a berth in the sectional finals. Sorkin has made two relief appearances for the Redbirds this season and improved drastically from the first to the second. Against Austin Peay in the season-opener, Sorkin was touched for seven hits and eight runs, though just three were earned. In his second outing against Western Michigan, Sorkin struck out two and scattered three hits over two innings. He was projected to be a mid-week starter and one of the Redbirds' go-to pitchers in the bullpen.
Long, Ruffolo Earn Music City Classic All-Tournament Honors
Illinois State reliever Kenny Long and outfielder Anthony Ruffolo wered named to the 2010 Music City Classic All-Tournament after leading the Redbirds in pitching and hitting. Long was tagged with the loss after giving up one run in an inning of work against Indiana, but retired all 13 batters he faced to keep the Redbirds in the game against Kent State. Long struck out three batters in 4.1 innings of perfect relief. Ruffolo knocked a team-best five hits over the weekend while batting .455. He had two doubles against Indiana in Friday's tournament opening game and drove in both of Illinois State's runs against Vanderbilt. Ruffolo also walked three times to yield a .571 on-base percentage.
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 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 No.
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
Zach Amrein's Initials...RBI
Zach Amrein was the national leader in RBIs per game at the NJCAA Division-II level last season at College of Lake County and has continued to drive in runs during his first season as a Redbird. Amrein, a junior from Lake Villa, Ill., leads the team with 15 RBI and has also provided timely hits with more than half (8) of those RBI coming with two outs. Amrein leads the Missouri Valley Conference with four triples.
Getting the Leadoff Man Aboard
Illinois State has excelled at getting the leadoff man on base this season, one of the reasons they've been able to score 9.6 runs per game through the first nine contests. Illinois State's leadoff hitter reaches 51.2 percent of the time. The numbers are skewed a little by Kevin Tokarski, who is batting a team-best .552 at the top of the order, but even without his .727 on-base percentage when leading off, the team has reached in 47.8 percent of leadoff opportunities. Conversely, Illinois State's opponents reach base 38.8 percent of the time in leadoff situations.
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. Hinshaw is second among Redbirds with 10 walks entering the mid-week series against Florida and has a .479 on-base percentage.
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.
Birds on the Mend
In addition to Ty Wiesemeyer, several other Redbirds are experiencing the aches and pains of a baseball season. Relief pitcher Kyle Nelson did not make the trip with the Redbirds to Tennessee and Florida due to shoulder discomfort. Outfielder Tyler McNeely is on the trip but hasn't played a game since crashing into the wall against Duquesne and injuring his shoulder. Kevin Tokarski was held out of the lineup in the first two games of the Music City Classic due to back soreness.
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 three outings this season, is approaching the career mark for appearances. Sajewich moved into sole possession of second all-time with 72 appearances, after pitching in two games on opening weekend and added another at the Music City Classic. The Wheaton, Ill., native is 13 appearances behind former teammate and current leader Eric Theisen (2004-08), who appeared in 86 games during his career.
Illinois State Career Appearances No.
1. Eric Theisen (2004-08) 86
2. Jim Sajewich (2006-present) 73
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) No.
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.
