NORMAL, Ill. – Jack Czeszewski spent his first two seasons at Illinois State primarily as a left-handed hitting outfielder, who also happened to be able to give the team an inning on the mound in a pinch.
Czeszewski transitioned into a full-time role as a left-handed relief pitcher for the Redbirds this spring, however, going 1-3 with a 5.22 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 29.1 innings, spanning 21 appearances, all but one of them in relief.
Czeszewski has continued to work from the mound this summer, spending the majority of his time pitching for the Mankato MoonDogs of the Northwoods League.
The rising senior is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 18.1 innings of work, covering 11 appearances so far this summer. He has worked at least one full inning in all but one appearance and pitched a season-high three innings May 31 at Alexandria, fanning a season-high six batters in a 9-3 win.
Czeszewski is still moonlighting as an outfielder/designated hitter, and although his success rate hasn't been great, he reached base three times in a 2-1 win over Duluth June 12.
Other current Redbirds playing summer baseball include:
Sean Beesley – Willmar Stingers – Northwoods League
- Slashing .288/.390/.327 and is a perfect 21-for-21 on stolen base attempts in 40 games
- Went 2-for-5 with a double and scored Willmar's only run in a loss at Waterloo July 5
Jack Landwehr – Lakeshore Chinooks – Northwoods League
- Made summer debut July 3 at Kalamazoo
- Pitched two perfect innings and earned a save July 5 at Battle Creek
Jean Ramirez – Madison Mallards – Northwoods League
- Slashing .295/.393/.434 with nine doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs in 35 games
- Went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs in an 8-2 win at Willmar July 7
Jake Sale – Lexington Snipes – Midwest Collegiate League
- Owns a 1-1 record with three saves and a 3.55 ERA in 10 appearances, totaling 12.2 innings
- Earned a save with one hit allowed and one strikeout in a 4-3 win over DuPage July 6
Notes: Statistics updated Wednesday, July 9. Several other current Redbird players are currently playing summer baseball, but do not have statistics available or have either finished or not started playing for their summer club.
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