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2007 Baseball Season Outlook
Coming off a 14-23-1 season in 2006, which included a 5-16 record and eighth-place finish in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), the Elmhurst College baseball team looks to rebound in 2007 under first-year head coach Joel Southern. Southern, who served as an assistant coach at Elmhurst in 2002 and has spent the last four years as an assistant and associate head coach at Western New England College (Mass.), has reason for optimism.
"There is plenty of talent here, and much of it is veteran talent," he said. "We have a solid nucleus of players that has had success and knows what it takes to compete in one of the top Division III conferences in the nation."
Any discussion of returning players for the 2007 Bluejays must begin with senior shortstop Anthony Contaldo (Sleepy Hollow/Dundee Crown). Contaldo was named CCIW Player of the Year in a 2006 campaign that also saw him named first-team all-CCIW and first-team all-Central Region. The switch-hitter's fantastic 2006 season included a .474 batting average with nine home runs, eight doubles, two triples, eight stolen bases, and 30 RBI.
"Anthony will hit in the three-hole for us and hold down the shortstop position. He is obviously very talented on the field, and he is a principled, high-character individual who is greatly respected by his teammates," said Southern.
The Bluejays have solid depth in the infield, where six players who saw regular playing time a year ago return. Junior Jim Deschamps (Glenview/Glenbrook South), returns to play first base after finishing second to Contaldo with six home runs in 2006.
"Jim is a good hitter with big power," said Southern "I expect him to have a big year hitting in the middle of the order for us."
Fifth-year senior Brian Mucha (Arlington Heights/Buffalo Grove) was off to a fine start in 2006 (.323, 11 RBI in 31 at-bats) before an injury ended his season. Mucha, a second-team all-CCIW performer in 2004, will play second base and serve as a backup at first.
Other returnees include junior Nick Sharkey (Bolingbrook/H.S.) (.235, 15 RBI in 2006), switch-hitting sophomore Brett Lilley (Rochester Hills, Mich./H.S.), (.232 average as a freshman) and senior Mark Jerome (Warren, Mich./ Warren Woods) (.211 average in 2006). Sharkey will primarily play third base, although he has the versatility to play all the infield positions while Lilley and Jerome will compete for time at second base and third base.
Freshmen Scott Jones (Island Lake/Wauconda), who may also see time on the mound, and Vince Mathe (Park Ridge/Maine South) will battle for time in the middle infield as well. "We have good depth in the infield and can be successful with a number of different combinations," said Southern.
Elmhurst has plenty of returning talent in the outfield as well, starting with junior center fielder Tom Rhein (Worth/Brother Rice). The Bluejays' lead off batter followed up a successful freshman season with a 2006 campaign in which he hit .328 with six doubles, 24 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. He drew 20 walks and was hit by a pitch 11 times, both team highs, for an on-base percentage of .449.
"We hope Tom will ignite us offensively in the lead-off position," said Southern. "He runs well and understands his role offensively. He can really go get it in center field, and he has our best outfield throwing arm."
Junior Scott Perkinson (Elk Grove/H.S.), a transfer from Concordia University (Ill.) who hit .308 last season, earned significant playing time at one of the corner outfield positions with his play in the fall.
"Scott was arguably our best player in the fall; he brings a load of talent, hustle, and a professional approach to the park every day. He can run, throw, and handle the bat," said Southern.
Sophomore Mike Goltz (Neenah, Wis./H.S.) is versatile defensively and may see time at both corner outfield and corner infield positions. Goltz was a major contributor in 2006, hitting .320 with two homers, 23 RBI, seven doubles and three triples.
Junior Noah Wiza (North Riverside/Riverside-Brookfield) should also see significant time in the outfield after missing the 2006 season with an injury. Senior Travis Cox (Westchester/Proviso West), junior Matt Brauer (Streamwood/H.S), and sophomore Steve Hagstrom (Des Plaines/Maine West) will battle for time in the outfield as well.
The Bluejays are strong behind the plate, where senior tri-captain Dan Bocian (Willow Springs/ Lyons Township) and junior Pat Meginniss (Elgin/H.S.) will both see significant playing time. Bocian, a three-year regular, hit .221 a year ago, with two home runs and 11 RBI. Meginniss made a major contribution in limited duty in 2006, hitting .354 with seven RBI and only two strikeouts in 48 at-bats.
"The catcher position is arguably the most important defensive position on the field, and I am very pleased with our catching situation," Southern says. "Both Dan and Pat are leaders who are solid defensively; both should contribute with the bat as well, with Dan providing some power and Pat being a high-average hitter."
Sophomore Tyler Manske (Rockton/Hononegah) will provide depth behind the plate and may see time at first base as well. "Tyler has the best power potential of any player on our team," said Southern. "If he can make some adjustments, he may be a big factor for us as a designated hitter." Sophomore Jonathon Porter (Chicago/Von Steuben) will also compete for time behind the plate.
Despite losing Doug Kucik and Ben Stephens who combined for over 70 innings in 2006, there will be plenty of talent returning to the mound. The 2007 Bluejays' pitching staff will include eight seniors.
"We obviously have a lot of experience on the pitching staff," said Southern. "We have some guys who have thrown a lot of innings for us in the past and have pitched in some pressure situations, which I think will be a big advantage for us this year."
The staff is led by senior tri-captain Kyle Bjerga (Lombard, Glenbard East), Southern plans to use Bjerga, who has pitched mostly in relief, as a starter in 2007. "Kyle throws from a low arm angle and really gets heavy sink on his fastball; he should be able to throw a lot of innings for us this year," he said. "I think he can be one of the top pitchers in this conference." Bjerga, a second-team all-CCIW performer in 2004 posted a 2-2 record with three saves a year ago.
Senior tri-captain Greg Williams (Chesterfield, Mo./Christian Brothers), another righthander, should also help to anchor the staff after his 2-4, 4.46 campaign in 2006. Williams is rehabilitating an injury but should be ready for the start of the spring season. Williams may also get some at-bats as a designated hitter after hitting .279 with eight RBI in 68 at-bats a year ago.
"Greg was unable to participate in our fall practices, but he was at every event, whether it be practice, conditioning, or weightlifting, supporting his teammates; that gives you an indication of his character, dedication, and leadership qualities," said Southern.
Junior lefthander Matt Seroka (Chicago/Brother Rice) should also be a major contributor on the mound for the Bluejays this season. "Matt has excellent stuff and a very live arm," said Southern. "If he improves his consistency, he may put it all together this year."
Senior lefthander Darrell Mathis (Mundelein/H.S.), who is coming off a 2-2 season in which he appeared in 16 games and struck out 39 hitters in 37 1/3 innings, will be an important factor on the staff in both a starting and relief role. "Darrell had a good fall for us,” noted Southern. "He has excellent arm action and is durable; he mixes his pitches well and knows how to pitch."
Other senior returning pitchers expected to play major roles on the mound for the Bluejays in 2007 are righthanders Nick Ferrin (Lake Forest/H.S), Eric Farrell (Elk Grove Village/H.S.) and Steve Huisel (Gurnee/Warren Township).
"Nick, Eric, and Steve all approach their jobs in the correct way and are all leaders in their own way," said Southern. "Each has a chance to make a major contribution in 2007."
Senior righthander Robert Goldblatt (Buffalo Grove/Stevenson) and senior lefthander Justin Hagstrom (Rosemont/East Leyden) were limited in the fall due to injury, but should be healthy and ready to contribute in the spring.
Southern is also excited about freshman righthander Andrew Auriemme (Addison Trail/H.S.).
"Andrew had a very strong fall for us; he could be a big contributor very quickly," he said.
Sophomore lefthander Kevin Capps (Des Plaines/Maine West) also will compete for time on the mound
Southern, who works specifically with the Elmhurst hitters, is joined on the coaching staff by three members of the 2006 staff, Mike Woodard (infielders), Tim Shermak (outfielders), and Gordon Murphy (bench coach). They are complimented by pitching coach Dave Dobosz, a first-team all-CCIW and all-Central Region pitcher for Illinois Wesleyan University in 2006. Dobosz pitched this past summer for the Schaumburg Flyers in the independent professional Northern League.
The Bluejays are aiming to return to the CCIW conference tournament for the first time since 2004. Southern feels confident that the team will be very competitive for a tournament spot. "This is a talented group of individuals that is learning the focused daily approach necessary to be a championship team," he said. "If we continue to develop the necessary discipline, both on and off the field, and continue to improve this fall and winter, I feel that this team is capable of accomplishing great things."
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