p l a y e r b i o s 23 Meet the Leathernecks

Transcription

1 23 Meet the Leathernecks Eric Eden Drew Laidig Cooper Stewart Seniors Juniors Sophomores Freshmen p l a y e r b i o s l e a t h e r n e c k B A s e b a l l

2 player bios: seniors 16 Eric Eden co-captain senior Hillsborough, N.J. (Hillsborough/Florida C.C.) 2008 (Junior Season): Named The Summit League Pitcher of the Week (March 17) after picking up first Division-I win against No. 7 Long Beach State... led the team with a 3.28 ERA... notched a 4-3 record... struck out a season-high nine batters against Chicago State (March 29)... tossed a complete game win against Oakland (April 4)... struck out 31 batters to just 14 walks on the year... picked off a team-best four runners... season was cut short due to injury, making his last appearance at Oral Roberts (April 19). At Florida C.C. Recorded a 4-2 mark with a 3.00 ERA in 55 innings of work. A L L AMERICA C A N D I D A T E Recorded a 6-2 mark with a 1.72 ERA as a senior. Son of Bonnie and Douglas Eden... born April 16, majoring in kinesiology. the eden file March 17 Summit League Pitcher of the Week Recorded first Division-I win over then-no. 7 Long Beach State Year ERA W L App GS CG SHO CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO Summit League Stats Year ERA W L App GS CG SHO CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO WESTERN ILLINOIS BASEBALL

3 12 Drew Laidig player bios: seniors infield/catcher senior Pleasantville, Iowa (Carlisle/Indian Hills C.C.) 2009 (Senior Season): Named to the College Baseball Foundation 2009 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year watch list (Junior Season): Named first team all- Summit League... selected to The Summit League All-Tournament team after batting.533 (8-for-15) over the three games... ranked as the 20th toughest player to strikeout in the nation... led the team in average (.349), hits (67), RBI (41), and multi-hit games (19)... finished second on the team in home runs (4)... ranked sixth in The Summit League in batting... recorded a season best nine game hitting streak and ended the season with a seven game hit streak... hit safely in 19 of 24 Summit League games... registered a season best four RBI against Oakland (April 6)... homered twice in one game against Coe College (May 1)... recorded hits in five consecutive at bats against Oral Roberts in The Summit League Tournament... played in four games at catcher. At Indian Hills C.C. Started for two years and named to the all-region team twice... as a sophomore batted.333 with six home runs and 31 RBIs. Named all-conference and all-district four years... named to the all-state team three years... selected captain of the Class 3A All-State Team as a senior... played football for three years and named all-district as a junior and senior. Son of Denise and Harley Laidig... born September 14, majoring in kinesiology. Brooks Wallace A W A R D C A N D I D A T E the laidig file 2009 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Watch List 2008 All-Summit League First Team 2008 Summit League All-Tournament Team 20th toughest player to strikeout in the nation in Summit League Stats

4 player bios: seniors 17 Cooper Stewart catcher/rhp co-captain senior Sterling, Ill. (Sterling) 2008 (Junior Season): Finished the season as the 23rd toughest player to strike out in the nation... batted.236 with 18 RBI... led the team with 24 walks... hit seven doubles, one triple and one home run... threw out 42 percent (16-of-38) of base runners (Sophomore Season): Ranked sixth in the nation with 0.35 sacrifice hits per game... recorded 11 doubles while batting started in all 51 games played... committed just three errors behind the plate for a.991 fielding percentage... threw out 37 percent (17-of-45) of would-be base stealers... received Summit League Winter/Spring Academic All-League Team honors. 2 3 r d TOUGHEST TO S T R I K E O U T N A T I O N A L L Y 2006 (Freshman Season): Hit.274 with one home run and 14 RBIs... started 18 of the 29 games in which he played... recorded the third most putouts on the team... recorded a.981 fielding percentage along with 16 assists. Earned four varsity letters at Sterling... was a three-time all-conference selection... was a two-time first-team all-area member... named the team s most improved player after his sophomore season... was a two-time team MVP and Silver Slugger Award winner... won the Team Player of the Year and Golden Glove Awards as a senior... was a member of the National Honor Society and National Honor Roll. Son of Mary Pat and Gary Stewart... born August 14, majoring in history. the stewart file 23rd toughest player to strike out in the nation in 2008 ranked sixth in the nation in 2007 with 0.35 sacrfice hits per game caught six different pitchers who received all-league honors during his career TOTAL Summit League Stats TOTAL WESTERN ILLINOIS BASEBALL

5 player bios: seniors infield senior Frankfort, Ill. (Lincoln Way-East/Robert Morris) Lorenzo Gallaga (Junior Season): Led the team and ranked eighth in The Summit League in stolen bases (12)... ranked second on the team in batting (.328)... hit one home run and collected 16 RBI... named The Summit League Player of the Week (April 15) after batting.692 (9-for-13) in five games... had a team best 17-game hit streak during which he raised his average.173 points... collected a season high three RBI in a 3-for-5 performance against Southern Utah (May 2)... went 3-for-6 with three runs scored in the semifinals of The Summit League Championship against Oral Roberts. At Robert Morris Batted.360 with 35 stolen bases... named to the Dean s List... awarded Scholar All-American Played four years of varsity baseball... named all-conference, all-area and all-state honorable mention as a senior... batted.430 in senior season... also served as captain of basketball team and lettered three years. Son of Maria and Bruce Gatlin... born November 11, majoring in communications. 15 Tyler Metcalf infield co-captain senior Wamego, Kan. (Barton County C.C.) 2008 (Junior Season): Named The Summit League Player of the Week (May 5)... led the team in home runs (5) and ranked second in RBI (26)... batted.255 after starting in 48 of 51 games played... hit a grand slam against Purdue (March 23)... went 4-for-5 with five RBI against Southern Utah (May 2)... delivered a game-winning double against Southern Utah (May 3) and tied up the series finale with a two-run homer as part of a come-from-behind win (May 4)... carries an eight-game hit streak into received Summit League Winter/Spring Academic All-League Team honors. At Barton County C.C (Sophomore Season): Named to the Jayhawk All-Conference Team while starting 49 games at third base... recorded five RBI in a game against Midland, Texas... scored 37 runs during the season (Freshman Season): Batted.328 with two home runs and 25 RBI... recorded a fielding percentage in 34 games at third base. Hit.425 as a senior with four home runs while leading the conference in RBI with selected conference player of the year and all-state member as a senior... led the conference as a junior with an on-base percentage of.505 and hit.378 with three home runs. Son of Andrea and Anthony Metcalf... born April 17, majoring in exercise science and physical therapy

6 player bios: seniors 23 Kenny Price outfield senior Texarkana, Texas (Liberty-Eylau/ Northeast Texas C.C.) 2008 (Junior Season): Led the team with three triples while ranking second in hits with 59 and doubles with batted.307 with one home run and 22 RBI... named The Summit League Player of the Week (March 17) after batting.563 (9-for-16) with multi-hit games in all four contest of the California road trip... recorded four hits in a game three times... had a season high three RBI against Centenary (May 17)... only member of the team to appear in all 54 games of the season. At Northeast Texas C.C. Named NBC All-American for summer ball in career totals of.330 batting average with 20 doubles, four triples, six home runs, and 36 stolen bases. As a senior hit.510 with 10 doubles, five triples, three home runs, and 20 stolen bases... named to Four States All-Area Team named Four States Area Player of the Year and All-State in selected to the all-district team Son of Doris and Kenneth Price... born February 21, majoring in sociology Tyler Tilbury outfield senior Winnipeg, Manitoba (Glenlawn) 2008 (Junior Season): Started two games and appeared in 10 total... picked up a RBI against Centenary (May 16). Recorded a career average of.425 with 10 home runs and 80 RBIs in three seasons... also particpated in basketball and track. Son of Mary and Tom Tilbury... born Jan. 5, majoring in finance WESTERN ILLINOIS BASEBALL

7 player bios: seniors 3 Cole Waddell infield co-captain senior Derby, Kan. (Derby/Cowley C.C.) 2008 (Junior Season): Named to The Summit League All-Tournament Team after batting.538 (7-for-13) over the three games, which included a streak of five consecutive at-bats with a hit... led the team with 12 doubles, tied for second in RBI (26) and finished third in batting (.312)... hit a three-run walk-off homer against North Dakota State (May 12)... was 4-for-4 with four RBI against Southern Utah in the opening round of The Summit League Tournament... batted a team-best.370 in Summit League games which ranked ninth overall in the league... received Summit League Winter/Spring Academic All-League Team honors. At Cowley C.C. Hit.335 with 16 doubles and three home runs... starting second baseman in 2006 JUCO World Series Named all-conference and received all-area honorable mention in junior and senior seasons. Son of Deanne and Hugh Waddell... born March 24, majoring in kinesiology... posted a 4.0 GPA in consecutive semesters. 29 Jared Wolf outfield senior St. Thomas, Ont. (Central Elgin) 2008 (Junior Season): Batted.290 with six doubles, two triples and 13 RBI... started in 52 of 53 games played... carried the second-longest hitting streak of the year at 10 games... had a season best three hits against Coe College... was 9-for-16 on stolen base attempts. At Sauk Valley C.C. Earned first team all-conference honors as a sophomore... led team with.360 batting average and.475 on base percentage. Led team in batting (.399), runs (49), RBI (37) and stolen bases (42) as a senior... voted team MVP. Son of Anna Marie Wolf... born June 10, majoring in finance

8 player bios: juniors 31 Chris Anderson outfield junior Woodstock, Ill. (Woodstock/McHenry County College) At McHenry County College Batted.302 with six doubles, one triple and 18 RBI appeared in 43 games named to the Dean s List in Fall and Spring of Son of Valerie and Michael Anderson born June 28, 1987 majoring in sports management Earned varsity letters in baseball and football. left-handed pitcher junior Clifton, Ill. (Central/Lakeland C.C.) Austin Brough (Sophomore Season): Made seven appearances on the hill working out of the bullpen... logged scoreless innings against North Dakota State (May 10) and Oklahoma State (May 13)... received Summit League Winter/Spring Academic All- League Team honors. At Lakeland C.C. Recorded a 5.50 ERA with eight strikeouts and one save in 27 innings. Named first-team all-conference in junior and senior seasons... selected team MVP in junior and senior seasons... named to Daily Journal All-Area First Team as a senior... recorded a 6-4 record with 96 strikeouts and a 3.02 ERA. Year ERA W L App GS CG SHO CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO Son of Sharon and Lon Brough... born December 9, majoring in art... posted a 4.0 GPA in Fall Jordan Faller left-handed pitcher junior Falls City, Neb. (Falls City/Highland C.C.) At Highland C.C. Threw 17.1 innings... registered 15 strikeouts... missed most of the season due to injury. Son of Regenia and Brad Faller... born July 14, majoring in exercise science. Led the team with 74 strikeouts as a senior... recorded an ERA of 2.91 over 49 innings pitched... averaged 9.5 strikeouts per game... had a strikeoutto-walk ratio of 2.5:1. 30 WESTERN ILLINOIS BASEBALL

9 player bios: juniors outfield junior Oak Park, Ill. (Oak Park and River Forest/Oakton C.C.) Andrew Hagins 21 At Oakton C.C. Selected first team all-conference... finished as runner-up to conference player of the year award... named to the conference all-academic team. Named to all-conference, all-area and all-state teams as a senior... selected as the league MVP... named to the honor roll all four years. Son of Antoinette and Michael Hagins... born April 18, majoring in interdisciplinary studies. 39 David Hill At Highland C.C. Recorded 46 strikeouts in 50.2 innings... earned honor roll status as a freshman junior Leavenworth, Kan. (Leavenworth/Highland C.C.) Son of Debra Ayers and Geoffrey Hill... born June 11, majoring in exercise science. Named all-conference as a senior... was on honor roll all four years. infield junior Oglesby, Ill. (Lasalle-Peru) Dan Johnson (Sophomore Season): Made 11 starts in 27 total games played... had two doubles and five RBI for the year... received Summit League Winter/Spring Academic All-League Team honors (Freshman Season): Started in 30 of 42 games played... batted.257 with seven doubles and 19 RBI... had game winning hit against Southern Utah (April 5) TOTAL Named to the News Tribune s All-Area first team... selected to the allconference second team... named team MVP... recorded the most doubles in conference play... selected as the team s Defensive Player of the Year... received first-team all-academic NCIC honors... member of the High Honor Society and honor roll all four years of high school... played two years of basketball and football... participated in student council and peer helpers. Son of Susan and Marshall Johnson... born April 17, majoring in law enforcement and justice administration... posted a 4.0 GPA in Fall

10 player bios: juniors 20 Randon Lingle junior Manhattan, Ill. (Lincoln-Way Central/South Suburban C.C.) At South Suburban C.C. Named team captain in Named all-conference honorable mention in football as a senior. Son of Kathy and Ted Lingle born March 18, 1988 majoring in physical education junior Burlington, Iowa (West/Southeastern C.C.) Brian Rudy 38 At Southeastern C.C. Logged a 1-0 record on the mound. Named second team all-conference... collected first team all-conference honors in golf and honorable mention all-conference for basketball. Son of Cathi Pierce and Tom Rudy... born November 20, majoring in management. 36 Mitchell Slead left-handed pitcher junior Rock Island, Ill. (Rock Island/Blackhawk College) At Black Hawk College Recorded a 3-4 mark on the hill in 35.1 innings of work. Son of Monica Mapes and Michael Slead born October 5, 1987 majoring in telecommunications. Pitched on varsity for three years named to honor roll sophomore through senior years. left-handed pitcher junior Lawrence, Kan. (Lawrence Free State/Highland C.C.) John Sneegas 22 At Highland C.C. Collected 26 strikeouts in 43.2 innings pitched... tossed a no-hitter against eventual national runner-up Kansas City Kansas C.C. Named to all-conference honorable mention... recorded a 2-0 mark with a 1.11 ERA... earned the Free State Baseball Foundation Award as a senior... also named all-region and second team all-state in soccer. S o n o f R u t h A n n e a n d R a n d y Sneegas... born August 8, majoring in business management. 32 WESTERN ILLINOIS BASEBALL

11 player bios: juniors, sophomores infielder/designated hitter junior Troy Mills, Iowa (North Linn/Kirkwood C.C.) Darren Spicer 32 At Kirkwood Community College Batted.363 with 11 HRs and 44 RBI... named second team all-region in selected as a first team all-region member in Earned varsity letters in baseball and track. Son of Erlene and Merle Spicer... born January 27, majoring in recreation parks and tourism administration. 10 Chris Fuchs sophomore Pembroke Pines, Fla. (Charter) 2007 (Freshman season): Appeared in 15 games on the hill as a true freshman... pitched 1.2 inning of scoreless relief at Long Beach State (March 17) earned his first career save against IPFW (April 13), striking out a season high three batters in 1.2 innings of work... collected 14 strikeouts in 17.1 innings... was only freshman pitcher to earn a letter. Was a four-year starter in both baseball and football. Son of Jim and Donna Fuchs... born Sept. 27, major is graphic communications... is the starting punter for the Leathernecks. Year ERA W-L App GS CG SHO CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO catcher/infielder sophomore Frankfort, Ill. (Lincoln Way-East) John Koszulinski (Freshman Season): Made two starts as a true freshman behind the plate... singled in his first collegiate at-bat against Purdue (March 22)... received Summit League Winter/Spring Academic All-League Team honors. Recorded a career batting average of.423, 15 home runs and an onbase percentage of named to the 2006 and 2007 All-Southwest Suburban Conference and all-area teams All-State Honorable Mention... lettered in football Son of Karen and John Koszulinski... born September 21, majoring in law enforcement and justice administration. 33

12 player bios: freshmen 30 Matthew Abernathy freshman Vermont, Ill. (V.I.T.) Helped lead team to elite eight for IHSA Class 2A in his senior year... earned four varsity letters in baseball... added four varsity letters in football and another two in basketball... named the Macomb Journal Football Player of the Year. Son of Richelle and Greg Abernathy... born October 8, majoring in kinesiology. /outfield freshman Monmouth, Ill. (Monmouth-Roseville) Ryan Cheek 8 Selected to all-conference team junior and senior years... won team s top pitcher award three-straight years... named MVP for basketball team as a senior. Son of Jodi and Dan Cheek... born February 22, majoring in kinesiology. 13 Chris Dronzek freshman Chicago, Ill. (St. Laurence) Earned four varsity letters in baseball... earned National Honors Society status as junior and senior. Son of Carol and Thomas Dronzek... born June 9, majoring in law enforcement and justice administration. leftt-handed pitcher freshman Melbourne, Fla. (Melbourne ) Chris Duguay 28 Tossed a perfect game and two one-hitters... collected a 2.60 ERA with 42 strikeouts and 18 walks over 72 innings pitched in two years... helped guide team to 46-6 record in two-year span including a FHSAA Class 6A quarterfinal appearance... was also a Florida Today All-Space Coast Tight End of the Year in football, along with all-district honors. Son of Diane Angus and Gerry Duguay... born September majoring in kinesiology. 34 WESTERN ILLINOIS BASEBALL

13 player bios: freshmen outfielder freshman Vernon Hills, Ill. (Vernon HIlls) Batted.274 with 13 RBIs named second team all-conference helped lead squad to conference and regional titles. Ryan Jordan 2 Son of Jerry Jordan born June 9, 1990 majoring in pre-business marketing. 26 Tom Lilja Named all-conference as a junior and senior in baseball and football... earned three letters in baseball and football... was a part of 8A football State Championship team. outfielder freshman Mokena, Ill. (Lincoln-Way Central) Son of Monica and Mike Lilja... born November 25, major is undecided... was high school teammate of John Koszulinski freshman Carol Stream, Ill. (Glenbard North) Brian Loconsole 44 Was a member of IHSA Class 8A runner-up in football... did not participate in baseball. Son of Susan Garesche and John Loconsole born August 10, 1990 majoring in general orientation. 42 Curt Myers catcher/infielder freshman Macomb, Ill. (Macomb) Named Western Illinois Coaches Association Player of the Year in junior and senior seasons... recorded a fielding percentage of.967 while not allowing any passed balls... batted.398 with 50 RBI, eight home runs and 12 doubles... won five games as a pitcher... won back-to-back individual state titles in wrestling at 215 lbs... named all-conference and all-state in football. Son of Robin and Greg Myers... born November 28, majoring in construction management. 35

14 player bios: freshmen 7 Brock Simon outfielder/left-handed pitcher freshman Lake Zurich, Ill. (Lake Zurich) Notched a 2-1 record... recorded 34 strikeouts in 19 innings of work... batted committed just one error in 126 innings played in centerfield. Son of Teri and Gary Simon... born September 7, majoring in meteorology... father played baseball and football at Western Illinois and was inducted into the athletics hall of fame in freshman Tinley Park, Ill. (Tinley Park) Mitch Stevens 6 Selected first team all-area and first team all-conference in senior season... went 6-1 on the hill in 52.1 innings of work while logging a 2.00 ERA... batted.382 with five triples and 11 RBI... was an all-area nominee as a junior... also earned three varsity letters in hockey and two more in golf. Son of Linda and John Stevens... born June 16, majoring in kinesiology. 33 Jordan Tassio infielder/outfielder freshman Naperville, Ill. (North) Batted.450 as a senior with 49 runs... hit 10 career HRs and scored 87 runs... named to Chicago Triubne All-State third team as a senior... a two-time all-area and DuPage Valley All-Conference selection... named MVP of IHSA Class 8A stat title game in addtion to all-state honors in football. Son of Kyle and Chuck Tassio... born September 15, majoring in general orientation... is also a member of the Leatherneck football team and was named scout team co-defensive player of the year. catcher freshman Bloomington, Ill. (University) Joseph Waropay 19 Led area in batting with a.467 average and.660 on base percentage as a senior... batted.355 with 13 doubles as a junior... helped lead team to back-to-back Corn Belt Conference Championships... named two-time Pantagraph All-Area first team... named runner-up to the State Farm Athlete of the Year Award in honored with 2008 Corn Belt/Mixed Media U.S. Army Leadership Award... member of National Honor society junior and senior years... earned four varsity letters in baseball and wrestling to go along with three in football. Son of Kathy and Robert Waropay... born July 10, majoring in art... father played baseball at Western Illinois... posted a 4.0 GPA in his first semster. 36 WESTERN ILLINOIS BASEBALL