College Baseball 360 » Willie Argo

Top College Baseball Outfielders To Watch In 2011

Sean Stires — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:01:12 +0000

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Our look at some of the top college baseball players in Division One baseball continues as head to the outfielders. Our previous lists have looked mainly at the top 11 at each position (plus a few others to watch), but sheer numbers dictate that we include more outfielders.

On any given Saturday during the college baseball season, 900 Division One outfielders will start in a game. Here are the top 30-plus heading into 2011.

1. Alex Dickerson – Indiana

It’s a long way from San Diego to Bloomington, IN, but Dickerson has blazed a trail from his California roots in his first two seasons at Indiana. He earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American honors in 2009 after batting .370 with 57 RBIs and an IU freshman record 14 home runs as his team’s primary clean-up batter. His efforts helped the Hoosiers claim their first NCAA Regional bid since 1996. Dickerson then went on to win the Big Ten Triple Crown in 2010, batting .419 with 24 HR and 75 RBIs. He earned All-American accolades and was the unanimous pick for Big Ten Player of the Year, to become the first Big Ten player to receive Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year honors in back-to-back seasons. Dickerson played for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2009 and then starred for the USA Collegiate National Team in 2010.

2. George Springer – Connecticut

Springer’s name became nearly synonymous with UConn baseball in 2010. The sophomore centerfielder batted .337 with 18 home runs, 16 doubles, 62 RBIs, and a team-best 33 stolen bases. His efforts helped the Huskies to a program record 48 wins and their first NCAA Regional berth since 1994. He scored a team-high 84 runs, thanks in part to team-highs of 60 BB and 14 HBP and .491 on-base percentage. Springer’s 1.149 OPS also led his team. In 2009, the New Britain, CT native became the first UConn player ever to earn the Big East Rookie of the Year award after batting .358 and smacking 16 HR. Like Dickerson, Springer played for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod League after his freshman season and then played for the USA Collegiate National Team in the summer of 2010.

3. Jackie Bradley, Jr.- South Carolina

The 5’10, 180 pound centerfielder has the frame, tilt and glide that scouts love. It also doesn’t hurt that he was named the Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series after helping South Carolina win the national championship in 2010. Bradley took the Gamecock’s triple crown last year when he batted .368 with 13 HR and 60 RBIs (he shared the HR lead with Whit Merrifield). The Prince George, VA native struckout just 37 times with 41 walks in 242 at-bats and sported a 1.060 OPS. He earned Freshman All-American honors in 2009 after hitting .349 with 11 HR and 47 RBIs. Bradley played for the Hyannis Mets in the Cape Cod League in ’09 and then teamed with Dickerson and Springer last summer in the USA Collegiate National Team outfield.

4. Mikie Mahtook – LSU

Now a junior, Mahtook has been a key member of the LSU line-up in his first two years in Baton Rouge. Mahtook batted .316 with seven home runs, eight doubles, three triples, 38 RBIs, and 41 runs while starting 49 games to help the Tigers to the 2009 national championship. He batted .455 (10-for-22) to earn SEC Tournament MVP honors as a prelude to his 11th inning game-winning hit in game one of the College World Series Finals en-route to the national title. Mahtook moved to right field in 2010 and produced even more at the plate. He hit .335 with 14 HR, 19 doubles, 50 RBIs, 68 runs and 22 stolen bases. His 19 doubles ranked second in the SEC to help him to a 1.056 OPS. The Lafayette, LA native even hit for the cycle in an Apr. 6 game against Alcorn St. The 2008 39th round draft choice of the Florida Marlins was also a member of the 2010 USA Collegiate National Team. Talk about a crowded outfield!

5. Nick Martini – Kansas State

With the success of teams like Texas and Oklahoma last year, it may surprise some to hear that Martini in the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year. Martini has been a big straw that stirs the drink in K-State’s unprecedented success in his two years in Manhattan. He hit .336 with four home runs, a team-best 17 doubles, 19 stolen bases, and 50 RBIs to earn Freshman All-American honors in 2009. He also tied a school record by playing in all 62 KSU games that year. Martini took his game to another level last year, batting a Big 12 best .416 with four HR, 17 doubles, 19 stolen bases and 59 RBIs. He had a 1.086 OPS with 41 BB and just 21 K in 231 at-bats while earning Second Team All-American honors Martini has helped Kansas State to the only two NCAA Tournament appearances in program history in his two years in a Wildcat uniform.

6. Jeremy Baltz – St. John’s

Baltz had, arguably, the best overall year by a true freshman since the original bat restrictions went into place more than a decade ago. The Red Storm slugger took his team triple crown, batting .396 with 24 home runs and 85 RBIs in 2010. He also had 16 doubles and a triple for a 1.250 OPS to earn not only Freshman All-American but also National Freshman of the Year honors. His 24 HR tied for 7th in the nation, while his 85 RBIs tied for 6th. Baltz hit safely in all but 10 of his team’s 63 games in 2010. His regular season exclamation point was a 4-for-5, four home run & seven RBI performance against Louisville on May 18. After helping fourth seeded St. John’s win the Big East Tournament, it speaks volumes that Baltz was named the Charlottesville NCAA Regional MVP despite the fact that his team lost to Virginia in the Regional final. His two HR and four RBIs against the Cavs on June 6 forced a winner take all game won by UVA the next day.

7. Taylor Dugas – Alabama

Dugas earned Freshman All-American honors in 2009 after batting .352 with two home runs, 27 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, 61 runs, and a .423 on-base percentage. He also led the 37-win Crimson Tide with 83 hits. Alabama’s primary lead-off man scored the first run of the Mitch Gaspard era in the 2010 season opener. He went on to lead his team with a .393 average, .525 OBP, 70 runs, 19 stolen bases, and 59 walks. In fact, his 59 BB with just 21 K in 243 at-bats gave him a 2.8 strikeout to walk ratio. Dugas’ efforts earned him First Team All-SEC and All-American honors, while Alabama advanced to a Super Regional. He played for the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod League last summer.

8. Steve Selsky – Arizona

Selsky comes from an athletic family. His father (also Steve Selsky) was a Major Leaguer, his mother was an Olympic volleyball player, and he has two sisters (including his twin sister Sam) who are Division One volleyball players. Selsky was named a Freshman All-American in 2009 after batting .319 with seven home runs, eight doubles, 21 RBIs, and a .927 OPS. His playing time and production increased last year. Selsky led the Wildcats with a .370 average with nine HR, 17 doubles, 11 stolen bases, and team-highs of 52 RBIs and 57 runs. He also raised his OPS to 1.057. He had a good summer playing for Orleans in the Cape Cod League, batting.273 with four HR and 18 RBIs in 37 games.

9. Tyler Pill – Cal State Fullerton

Pill has thrived as a two-way player in his two seasons in Fullerton. He and teammate (and fellow two-way player) Noe Ramirez were named Co-Big West Freshmen of the Year in 2009. Pill earned Freshman All-American accolades after going 11-3 with 102 IP while batting .269 to help the Titans reach the College World Series. He was limited to nine starts on the mound in 2010 due to a tired arm, but he still finished 4-4 with a 3.36 ERA. Meanwhile, his offensive game took-off, batting .354 with seven home runs, 42 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Pill also hit an amazing .524 (11-for-21) in the five games he hit for him self as the starting pitcher.

10. Preston Tucker – Florida

Tucker shared SEC Freshman of the Year honors with LSU pitcher Matty Ott in 2009, but he earned Freshman All-American honors and became the first Florida Player to be named the NCBWA National Freshman Hitter of the Year. He batted .364 with 15 home runs and 85 RBIs that season. His overall run production dropped in 2010, but Tucker still hit .331 with 11 HR, 17 doubles, 49 RBIs, and 50 runs to help the Gators reach the College World Series. He earned second team All-SEC accolades and was also named to the SEC’s All-Defensive Team. Tucker spent last summer with Orleans in the Cape Cod League. The 6’0 junior played a good deal at first base last year, but he’s expected to play mostly in right field in 2011.

11. Chad Oberacker – Tennessee Tech

Oberacker didn’t have gaudy home run numbers like his former Golden Eagle teammate, A.J. Kirby-Jones (26 HR), but he did have monster overall numbers in 2010. His .354 batting average led his team in his 2009 sophomore season, but his .452 average was third in the nation last year. Oberacker also finished among the DI national leaders in RBIs (70), doubles (29), slugging percentage (.690), and on-base percentage (.527). He had six home runs, five triples, 14 stolen bases, 67 runs, 108 hits, and a 1.217 OPS in ’10. He was also disciplined at the plate, with 34 walks and just 23 strikeouts in 239 at-bats. Oberacker is also a pitcher who has performed as both a starter and reliever over his first three seasons. He is back for his senior season after being drafted in the 19th round last year by the St. Louis Cardinals.

12. Dusty Robinson – Fresno State

Robinson was named a Freshman All-American in 2009 when he batted .319 with 15 home runs, 12 doubles, 52 runs, and 45 RBIs, while making 52 starts in the outfield for the defending national champions. He turned-in another top notch season last year, batting .308 with 16 HR, 11 doubles, and 60 RBIs to earn All-WAC honors for a second straight year. Robinson also sported a .588 slugging percentage and started all 63 Bulldog games in the outfield. His production was overshadowed a bit by the emergence of teammate Jordan Ribera and his 27 home runs in ’10, but Robinson brings 31 career HR and 105 RBIs back with him for his junior season.

13. Jeff Schaus – Clemson

Schaus was consistent in his first two years at Clemson. He sported a .317 average with 16 home runs and 81 RBIs over his first two seasons with the Tigers in 2008 & 2009. The bulk of his RBI total came when he drove-in 51 runs in an All-ACC sophomore campaign. His batting average stayed steady in 2010, but his run production jumped. Schaus batted .320 last year with 15 HR, 14 doubles and a team-leading 87 RBIs to help Clemson reach the College World Series. He had a .542 slugging percentage and was the only Tiger to start all 70 of his team’s games. The 6’1 son of parents who both played college basketball at Canisius has started 193 games in his first three years at Clemson. He’s back for his senior year after being drafted in the 27th round last year by the Cleveland Indians.

14. Jason Coats – TCU

Coats was one of his team’s top all-around players on TCU’s College World Series team last year, and some of his best play came in the postseason. Coats batted a team-best .361 with 13 home runs, 23 doubles, four triples, 68 runs, and 69 RBIs while starting 66 of TCU’s 68 games in left field. His 69 RBIs were also a team-high. Coats’ bat got hot when the stakes were high at the end of the season as well. He hit .433 (13-for-30) in a seven-game hitting streak that started with the Mountain West Conference Tournament opener and ended after the Horned Frogs’ game one Super Regional win over Texas. He also had a three homer game earlier in the season against Houston. The Plano, TX native has a .343 career batting average heading into his junior season.

15. Zach Cone – Georgia

Cone was one of the few bright spots for a Georgia team that finished with a disappointing 16-37 overall record, including 5-23 in the SEC in 2010. After making just 20 starts as a freshman in 2009, Cone was Georgia’s triple crown winner in 2010. The Bulldog’s primary centerfielder topped his team with a .363 average, 10 home runs and 53 RBIs. He was also tops with seven triples, 45 runs, 133 total bases, and a .627 slugging percentage. His 13 stolen bases were second on the Georgia roster, but he was perfect in all 13 attempts. He also led the SEC with nine outfield assists. Cone played for Cotuit in the Cape Cod League over the summer. His brother, Kevin Cone, plays football at Georgia Tech, while his father, Ronny Cone, played football there as well. Cone was a third round draft choice by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2008.

16. Drew Maggi – Arizona State

Maggi has already been drafted twice by Major League teams. He was a 47th round pick out of high school and a 15th round selection by the Pittsburgh Pirates last year. He looks for an even higher draft slot this year after batting .326 with five home runs, 10 doubles, three triples, 41 RBIs, and a team-high 36 stolen bases to earn All-Pac-10 honors in 2010. His game-winning Super Regional home run against Arkansas sent ASU to the College World Series for a second straight year, while he was the only Sun Devil to start all 62 of his team’s games last year. Maggi also broke Barry Bonds‘ ASU freshman record when he stole 21 bases in 2009. He is versatile enough to play shortstop, but a crowded infield will likely keep him in the outfield this year. He and his brother, Beau Maggi, are the sixth set of brothers to play at the same time at Arizona State.

17. Johnny Ruettiger – Arizona State

Reuttiger has emerged from the novelty of being “Rudy” Ruettiger’s nephew to being one of the top college baseball outfielders in the country. He hit .360, while making just 29 starts in his freshman season in 2009, but most of those starts came down the stretch and into the College World Series. Ruettiger then batted .351 with four home runs, seven doubles, seven triples, 49 runs, 35 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases in 2010. He sported a solid .452 on-base percentage that was helped by 30 BB, compared to just 26 strikeouts in 191 at-bats. The Joliet, IL native, whose father, John Ruettiger, once wrestled for Nebraska, also committed no errors while making 54 starts in another CWS appearance. Ruettiger’s stock rose even higher after leading the Cape Cod League with a .369 average over the summer. He stole 11 bases and struckout just nine times in 111 at-bats for Hyannis.

18. Stewart Ijames – Louisville

The man with the silent “j” in his name missed all of 2009 with a shoulder injury, but he came back with a big year in 2010. Ijames was a Freshman All-American in 2008 after batting .351 with eight home runs, 11 doubles and 39 RBIs. He bounced-back last year to hit .324 with 14 home runs, 11 doubles, 47 runs, and 63 RBIs to help the Cardinals win the Big East regular season title and eventual NCAA Regional berth. The 6’1 junior was a 46th round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers out of high school in 2007. He was taken in the 29th round by the New York Yankees last year. Ijames played for Hyannis in the Cape Cod League last summer.

19. Mike McGee – Florida State

McGee has played at a high level for Mike Martin’s Seminoles since his Freshman All-American season in 2008. He batted .344 with six home runs and 34 RBIs, while going 7-1 on the mound that season. His offensive numbers jumped to .378/19/78 in 2009 to go with a 6-2 record. He batted .328/17/78 with a 4-1 record and 13 saves last year to help Florida State reach the College World Series. McGee was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 37th round in 2007 and was picked in the 41st round by the Arizona Diamondbacks last year. He opted to return for his senior season, in part because most pro scouts see him as a pitcher, while he would like to remain an everyday player.

20. Daniel Bowman – Coastal Carolina

Bowman earned Freshman All-American honors in 2009 after batting .333 with 13 home runs, 14 doubles, 53 runs, and 54 RBIs. His batting average dipped to .279 last year, but his other numbers were nearly identical with 15 HR, 13 doubles, 53 runs, and 53 RBIs. He was one of just two Chanticleers to start all 65 games for a team that reached the Super Regionals. The 6’1 Bridgewater, VA native was named Big South Tournament MVP after pounding three home runs with nine RBIs in the tourney. He led the Chants with 17 RBIs during the postseason. Bowman has also been stellar in the field, with no errors in 254 chances in his first two seasons. He played for Bourne in the Cape Cod League and reached the finals of the Cape All-Star home run derby at Fenway Park.

21. Andy Mee – Florida Atlantic

Mee might fly a little below the radar for the Owls at FAU, but he is not only a good outfielder, but also one of the top two-way players in the country. After spending two years at Santa Fe College, Mee led his team with a .378 batting average and also tied for the Sun Belt Conference lead with 11 saves in 2010. Mee added eight home runs, 17 doubles, five triples, 55 RBIs, and 55 runs at the plate as well as a 2.96 ERA in 21 relief appearances and 24 1/3 innings on the mound. Mee also had a very good summer for the Mat-Su Miners of the Alaska League, batting .353 with a league-high 37 RBIs.

22. Kyle Gaedele – Valparaiso

Gaedele plays for a small school in the Horizon League, but his 6’4, 220 pound frame is the build that scouts love. He batted .373 with seven home runs, eight triples, 19 doubles, 17 stolen bases, and 63 RBIs for the Crusaders in 2010. The Arlington Heights, IL native was drafted in the 32nd round by the Tampa Bay Rays out of high school, but he opted to play at Valpo for former Big Leaguer Tracy Woodson instead (Woodson was a member of the L.A. Dodgers‘ 1988 championship team). A junior, Gaedele looks to go higher in this year’s draft after the summer he had for the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League. He broke four franchise records, including nine HR, and led the league in three offensive categories, including 56 runs scored. Baseball America ranked him as the #2 prospect in the league.

23. Jabari Henry – Florida International

The bulk of the spotlight at FIU was on Garrett Wittels and his pursuit of history in 2010, but Henry had a very good season as well. Henry was named Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American after batting .315 with 12 home runs, 10 doubles, 51 RBIs, and 47 runs. He had a .606 slugging percentage and had solidplate discipline, with 32 BB and 36 Ks in 165 at-bats in ’10. An injury ended his season early in the Gainesville NCAA Regional, but he homered off Texas A&M’s Barret Loux (#6 overall MLB draft pick) in his only at-bat. Henry was drafted in the 39th round by the Texas Rangers in the 2009 draft.

24. Willie Argo – Illinois

How versatile is Argo? As a freshman in 2009 (when he hit three homers in his first college game at LSU), Argo hit .355 with 47 RBIS, 46 runs, a 1.072 OPS, 11 doubles, and a team-high 12 home runs as a middle of the order batter for the Illini. He also stole 10 bases that year while earning Freshman All-American honors. Argo’s power numbers went down last year, but he hit .318 with 33 RBIs, 46 runs, six triples, four homers, and a school-record 41 stolen bases (7th in the nation) as Illinois’ leadoff man. Many consider Argo an “athlete” who is still developing as a baseball player. The Davenport, IA native earned 13 total varsity letters in four sports (football, baseball, wrestling, and track) in high school. Argo was drafted in the 49th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008. He figures to go much higher this year. He also once hit a home run off the famed Lamade Statue in centerfield at the 2001 Little League World Series.

25. Logan Vick – Baylor

Vick earned Freshman All-American status after batting .329 with 10 home runs, 17 doubles, 27 RBIs, and a team-high 59 runs in 2010. His 29 extra base hits and .473 on-base percentage are the best ever by a Baylor freshman, while his 59 walks (which were 12 more than his next two teammates combined) are a single-season program record. Vick thrived in the postseason as well. He reached base in all six plate appearances in Baylor’s Big 12 Tournament opener and wound-up on the All-Tournament Team. Vick also homered twice in the Ft. Worth NCAA Regional to help the Bears reach the championship round before falling to host TCU.

26. Brian Barnett – Nevada

Barnett made an immediate impact in his first season as a Division One player after spending his first two seasons in the juco ranks at Western Nevada College. He batted .348 last year, while leading the Wolfpack in HR (18), RBIs (71), and slugging percentage (.701). He also had 21 doubles, nine stolen bases, scored 52 runs, and had an 1.103 OPS. Barnett totaled 21 home runs and 96 RBIs in his two junior college seasons. He helped Western Nevada to a third-place finish at the 2009 Junior College World Series.

27. Brandon Meredith – San Diego State

It’s hard enough for a Major Leaguer to homer at San Diego’s Petco Park, let alone a high school player. That didn’t stop Meredith from becoming the first prep player to go yard at Petco when it did it in 2008. He kept it going when he got to SDSU, batting .309 with seven home runs, 17 doubles, and 44 RBIs. His 63 starts in his 2009 freshman season were the most of any player on an Aztec team that advanced to the Irvine NCAA Regional. A 15th round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008, Meredith led San Diego State with his .383 average last year. He also hit seven HR with 11 doubles, 54 RBIs and a 1.026 OPS.

28. Cohl Walla – Texas

Walla didn’t have to go far when it came time to go to college. The 6’3 outfielder went to Lake Travis High School just outside Austin, where he won a 2007 state championship. He was even on the receiving end of 12 touchdown passes from current Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert when the two were high school teammates in 2007. Walla made a name for himself on the Disch-Falk diamond in 2010. His .316 average was the third-best for the Super Regional Longhorns. He had eight home runs with 12 doubles, 41 runs, 40 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases during his freshman campaign. Walla was a 49th round draft choice of the Washington Nationals in 2009.

29. Bobby Crocker – Cal Poly

Crocker has earned All-Big West recognition in each of his first two seasons at Cal Poly. He batted .323 with 24 RBIs and 10 stolen bases as a freshman in 2009. He hit .447 (17-for-48) over the Mustang’s last 12 games to help them reach the Tempe NCAA Regional for the program’s first-ever NCAA bid. The 6’3 Aromas, CA native then led the Mustangs with his .353 average and 49 RBIs last year, to go along with 15 doubles, 42 runs and a team-best 18 stolen bases. Crocker was drafted in the 38th round by the Oakland A’s in 2008.

30. Chris Benson – Utah Valley

Benson batted .408 last year, but he didn’t even lead his team in that category. Jace Brinkerhoff’s .456 average led the Wolverines, but Benson led his team in most other categories, including slugging percentage (.744), triples (11), total bases (195), and a nation-leading 89 RBIs. His 107 hits were the second-most in school history behind Brinkerhoff’s 118. Benson also had a school record 24-game hitting streak during the season. His freshman season was in 2006, but his sophomore year didn’t come until 2009 after he completed his LDS mission. He hit for the cycle in a game in that first year back. Utah Valley won 42 games last year, but stayed home in June because the Great West Conference does not receive an automatic NCAA bid.

Others To Watch…

Beau Amaral – UCLA

Patrick Biondi – Michigan

Kevin Brown – Bryant

Garrett Custons – Air Force

Josh Elander – TCU

Tyler Gaffney – Stanford

Brett Krill – UCLA

Drew Martinez – Memphis

Mark Micowski – Georgia State

Stephen Piscotty – Stanford

Brance Rivera – TCU

Matt Smith – Mississippi

Max White – Oklahoma

Related

Top 11 Non-Conference Schedules In 2011

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Top 11 Shortstops To Watch In 2011

Top 11 Second basemen To Watch In 2011

Top 11 Third basemen To Watch In 2011

Top 11 First basemen To Watch In 2011

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College Baseball Stats Leaders-May 19

Sean Stires — Wed, 19 May 2010 11:01:46 +0000

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Here’s a look at the official Division One NCAA baseball statistics leaders in selected categories. Stats are through games played on 5/16/10.

Justin Howard

BATTING AVERAGE

Minimum 3.0 Plate Appearances Per Game & Minimum 120 Plate Appearances

1. Justin Howard-New Mexico .466

2. Keith Werman-Virginia .456

3. Chad Oberacker-Tennessee Tech .451

3. D.J. Leonard-Bethune-Cookman .451

5. Effrey Valdez-New York Tech .449

6. Kevin Tokarski-Illinois St. .448

7. Jace Brinkerhoff-Utah Valley .447

7. Sean Allaire-Central Connecticut St. .447

7. Tom Clayton-Youngstown St. .447

10. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St. .441

Dan Paolini

HOME RUNS

1. Dan Paolini-Siena 25

2. Jordan Ribera-Fresno St. 24

3. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St. 23

4. Alex Dickerson-Indiana 22

5. Anthony Rendon-Rice 21

6. A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech 20

6. Justin Miller-Middle Tennessee 20

8. Seth Furmanek-Oral Roberts 19

Matt Leeds-College of Charleston 19

Robert Maddox-Ohio 19

Hunter Morris-Auburn 19

Peter O’Brien-Bethune-Cookman 19

Bo Reeder-East Tennessee St. 19

Luke Stewart-UAB 19

Jacob Tanis-Mercer 19

Phil Wunderlich-Louisville 19

Roberts

ON-BASE PERCENTAGE

Minimum 120 Plate Appearances

1. Nate Roberts-High Point .583

2. Michael Choice-UT Arlington .578

3. Kevin Tokarski-Illinois St. .563

4. Taylor Dugas-Alabama .553

5. Kyle Roller-East Carolina .550

6. Yasmani Grandal-Miami (FL) .547

7. Chris Bangi-Campbell .542

8. Effrey Valdez-New York Tech .542

9. Shane Brown-Central Florida .538

10. A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech .536

Jacob Tanis

RBIs

1. Jacob Tanis-Mercer 78

2. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St. 76

2. Matt Leeds-College of Charleston 76

2. Steve McQuail-Canisius 76

5. Wes Cunningham-Murray St. 74

6. Nate Woods-Belmont 73

7. Eric Cain-South Dakota St. 72

7. Mac Doyle-Wofford 72

7. Justin Miller-Murray St. 72

10. Chris Benson-Utah Valley 71

10. Chris Duffy-Central Florida 71

10. Robert Maddox-Ohio 71

Nate Roberts

RUNS

1. Nate Roberts-High Point 79

2. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St. 75

3. Ryan Aguayo-New Mexico St. 74

4. Jace Brinkerhoff-Utah Valley 72

4. Jake Rickenbach-Utah Valley 72

6. Tom Zebroski-George Washington 71

7. Tyler Holt-Florida St. 70

7. Justin Howard-New Mexico 70

7. Perry Silverman-Canisius 70

10. Dallas Poulk-North Carolina St. 69

10. George Springer-Connecticut 69

Paul Hoilman

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE

Minimum 3.0 Plate Appearances PG & Minimum 120 Plate Appearances

1. Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee St. .896

2. Wes Cunningham-Murray St. .862

3. Dan Paolini-Siena .836

4. A.J. Kirby-Jones-Tennessee Tech .829

5. Alex Dickerson-Indiana .814

6. Rob Segedin-Tulane .810

7. Chris Duffy-Central Florida .805

8. Anthony Rendon-Rice .800

9. Sean Allaire-Central Connecticut St. .798

10. J.D. Ashbrook-Morehead St. .797

Willie Wesley

STOLEN BASES

(Caught Stealing)

1. Willie Wesley-Jackson St. 48 (5)

2. Rico Noel-Coastal Carolina 47 (11)

3. Dexter Kelley-Savannah St. 44 (10)

3. Scott Woodward-Coastal Carolina 44 (5)

5. Eric Stamets-Evansville 40 (5)

6. Willie Argo-Illinois 39 (3)

6. Damian Csakai-Wagner 39 (4)

8. Shawn Payne-Georgia Southern 38 (1)

8. Ryan Strausborger-Indiana St. 38 (2)

10. Jerry Hildreth-Mississippi Valley St. 37 (8)

Quintavious Drains

WINS

1. Quintavious Drains-Jackson St. (12-2)

2. Corey Baker-Pittsburgh (11-2)

2. Anthony Meo-Coastal Carolina (11-1)

4. Jake Borup-Arizona St. (10-1)

Blake Cooper-South Carolina (10-0)

Cole Green-Texas (10-0)

Matt Ianazzo-Pittsburgh (10-1)

Cortney Nelson-Jackson St. (10-4)

Matt Purke-TCU (10-0)

Nick Rogers-North Carolina A&T (10-3)

Shawn Teufel-Liberty (10-2)

Cody Wheeler-Coastal Carolina (10-0)

Brandon Workman-Texas (10-1)

Trever Vermeulen

ERA

Pitchers must have 1 IP for every game played by team & Minimum 50 IP

1. Trever Vermeulen-South Dakota St. 0.66

2. Chance Ruffin-Texas 0.87

3. John Stilson-Texas A&M 1.05

4. Dietrich Enns-Central Michigan 1.22

5. Kenny Long-Illinois St. 1.24

6. Alex Wimmers-Ohio St. 1.61

6. Jordan Cooper-Wichita St. 1.61

8. Brady Rodgers-Arizona St. 1.62

9. James Giuletti-Binghamton 1.76

10. Anthony Meo-Coastal Carolina 1.78

Andrew Burkett

SAVES

1. Kevin Arico-Virginia 13

Andrew Burkett-Cincinnati 13

Chris Dennis-Portland 13

Neil Holland-Louisville 13

Kevin McKague-Army 13

Chris Patterson-Appalachian St. 13

7. Chance Ruffin-Texas 12

8.Andy Dean-Northern Illinois 11

Ryan Duke-Oklahoma 11

Andy Mee-Florida Atlantic 11

Matty Ott-LSU 11

Lex Rutledge-Samford 11

Paul Snieder-Northwestern 11

Chris Sale

STRIKEOUTS

1. Chris Sale-Florida Gulf Coast 128

2. Drew Pomeranz-Mississippi 121

3. Asher Wojciechowski-The Citadel 119

4. Josh Smith-Lipscomb 115

5. Barret Loux-Texas A&M 111

6. Trevor Bauer-UCLA 109

7. Eric Cantrell-George Washington 106

7. Gerrit Cole-UCLA 106

7. Bryce Shafer-Valparaiso 106

10. Jason Mitchell-UT Arlington 105

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Big Ten Baseball 2010 Preview

Sean Stires — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:01:26 +0000

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Ohio State Looks To Continue 2009 Success

2009 Regular Season Champion: Ohio State

2009 Tournament Champion: Indiana beat Minnesota 13-2 in the title game.

For the second time in three years three Big Ten teams made it to the NCAA Tournament in 2009. Indiana’s bid was just the second in program history, Ohio State for its 19th overall and sixth trip in the last nine years while Minnesota made it for a Big Ten record 29th time.

2010 Big Ten Baseball Preview

Illinois

2009 Record: (34-20, 16-8)

Mascot: Fighting Illini

Head Coach: Dan Hartleb

Location: Champaign, IL

Willie Argo (Illinois photo)

Vitals: .316 BA, 42 HR, .394 OBP, .970 Fld%…5.32 ERA, 2 CG, 11 SV, 297 K, 201 BB, .298 opp BA

Thunder Sticks: Illinois returns seven of its top nine hitters from a 2009 team that came-up just short of an NCAA Regional bid. Senior catcher Aaron Johnson (.333, 10 HR, 52 RBIs) and sophomore OF Willie Argo (.355, 12 HR, 47 RBIs, 1.072 OPS) provide the biggest pop among the returnees who combined for 34 of the team’s 42 home runs last year. Junior Pete Cappetta’s .382 average also ranked sixth among Big 10 batters in ’09

Big Splash: Argo homered in his first three collegiate at-bats in a March 7 loss at LSU last year. The Illini shocked the eventual national champions by winning the other two series games in Baton Rouge.

Solid Arms: Sophomores Bryan Roberts (5-4, 6.72 ERA) and Will Strack (6-1, 3.84 ERA) are Illinois’ top returning starters from a year ago. Strack made 9 starts and picked-up a pair of saves as well with six relief outings. Three other pitchers who combined for six saves and six wins return as well.

South Carolina Swing: While Illinois doesn’t play the likes of LSU this year they start their spring trip on March 5 in Greenville, SC vs. 2009 Super Regional team East Carolina. The Illini also plays two games vs. Big South Conference preseason favorite Coastal Carolina in Conway, SC

Indiana

2009 Record: (32-27, 16-7)

Mascot: Hoosiers

Head Coach: Tracy Smith

Location: Bloomington, IN

Vitals: .321 BA, 62 HR, .402 OBP, .960 Fld%…5.15 ERA, 7 CG, 10 SV, 439 K, 216 BB, .284 opp. BA

Arnett-less: The Hoosiers lose staff ace Eric Arnett (12-2, 2.50 ERA) who tied the IU record for wins and set a new program mark with 109 Ks, which ranked second in the Big 10. He was named co-Big 10 Pitcher of the Year with Ohio State’s Alex Wimmers. Arnett, who also pitched six of the staff’s seven complete games last year, is the first Indiana pitcher to earn conference pitcher of the year honors and to be named All-American. He was a first round pick by Milwaukee in last year’s MLB Draft.

Hoosier Holes: Arnett is among eight Hoosier players who signed professional contracts after their 2009 Big Ten

Alex Dickerson (IU photo)

Tournament Championship seson. Leading hitter Kipp Schutz (.392) and slugging catcher Josh Phegley (.344, 17 HR, 66 RBIs) are the top offensive losses.

Young Slugger: Freshman All-American outfielder Alex Dickerson (.370, 14 HR, 57 RBIs, 1.044 OPS) heads a list of four returning starters who hit .314 or better last season.

On The Mound: Senior reliever Chris Squires (2-2, 3.93 ERA, 8 SV) and weekend starter Blake Monar (5-3, 4.64 ERA) are the top returning IU pitchers. Freshman Casey Smith and redshirt sophomore Matt Ernest are two newcomers to the Hoosier staff in 2010. Smith is head coach Tracy Smith’s son, while Ernest has played wide receiver for the IU football team for the last two seasons. He had seven catches for 69 yards and a TD in 2009.

Iowa

2009 Record: (16-36, 4-19)

Mascot: Hawkeyes

Head Coach: Jack Dahm

Location: Iowa City, IA

Vitals: .293 BA, 40 HR, .380 OBP, .951 Fld%…6.25 ERA, 0 CG, 7 SV, 330 K, 230 BB, .312 opp. BA

Line-Up Losses: The Hawkeyes return six of their top nine batters from a year ago, but they lose both Justin Toole (.346, 15 SB) and Wes Freie (.289, 9 HR, 44 RBIs).

Key Returns: All-Big Ten outfielder Ryan Durant (.370) is back to lead the offense. He’s joined by Mike McQuillan (.363), team stolen base leader Kurtis Muller (19) and Sean Flanagan (.310), who played in 27 games and started just 18, but still managed 6 home runs. Flanagan had a .696 slg % in Big Ten games.

Young Arms: No Iowa pitcher made more than nine starts last year, but the three who each started nine games all return. Sophomores Phil Schreiber (2-2, 4.57 ERA), Jarred Hippen (3-4, 4.87 ERA) and Nick Brown (2-4, 6.35 ERA) combined to win seven of Iowa’s 13 wins in 2009.

Big 12 Bound: Iowa plays eight straight games vs. a pair of Big 12 teams that made the NCAA Tournament in early March. The Hawkeyes start a four-game series at Kansas on March 5, and then head to Austin, TX to start another four-game set vs. 2009 College World Series runner-up Texas. Each series includes a day two doubleheader. They host another Big 12 team, Nebraska, on April 27.

Michigan

2009 Record: (30-25, 9-15)

Mascot: Wolverines

Head Coach: Rich Maloney

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Vitals: .294 BA, 55 HR, .387 OBP, .968 Fld%…4.82 ERA, 3 CG, 12 SV, 421 K, 205 BB, .293 BB

Out Of The Blue: Michigan has been one of the most successful teams from the north over the last seven years, but

Ryan LaMarre (Daily Michigan photo)

2009 broke that recent trend. After winning three straight Big Ten titles from 2006-2008 Michigan didn’t even qualify for the league’s postseason tournament last year.

Dominant Duo: Preseason All-American OF Ryan LaMarre (.344, 12 HR, 62 RBIs) and 2009 All-Big Ten first baseman Mike Dufek (.304, 17 HR, 59 RBIs, 19 doubles) head the list of seven returning Wolverines who started at least 30 games last year. Dufek was also 1-1 on the mound with a 2.70 ERA and three saves.

Plethora Of Pitching: The Wolverines return 11 of their 14 pitchers who saw action last year, although staff ace Chris Fetter (7-3, 3.26 ERA) is the top loss. Fetter had all three of the pitching staff’s complete games last year, and he struckout 103 in 94 IP. Senior LHP Eric Katzman (7-4, 3.53 ERA) returns to lead the rotation, while Matt Miller (3.70 ERA, 3 SV) and Tyler Burgoon (4-2, 4.84 ERA, 4 SV) join Dufek in the bullpen.

Carolina Challenge: Michigan plays a 3-game series at North Carolina, which has made four straight College World Series Appearances, March 5-7. The Wolverines also play two games vs. Coastal Carolina in Myrtle Beach March 13 & 14.

Michigan State

2009 Record: (23-31, 13-11)

Mascot: Spartans

Head Coach: Jake Boss, Jr.

Location: East Lansing, MI

Vitals: .284 BA, 30 HR, .366 OBP, .966 Fld%…5.19 ERA, 2 CG, 7 SV, 302 K, 244 BB, .294 opp. BA

Who’s The Boss: Second year Michigan State head coach Jake Boss, Jr.’s dad, Jake Boss, Sr., is the Spartans’ volunteer assistant coach. The elder boss has 29 years of head coaching experience was inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994. He has also served as a Major League scout for the Toronto Blue Jays and L.A. Dodgers.

Sparty’s Charges: The Spartans return the bulk of their starting position players, although they do lose their top overall hitter Eric Roof (.345, 6 HR, 41 RBIs), who led the team in nearly every offensive category. Outfielder Eli Boike (.310, 36 RBIs, 12 SB), who led MSU with 8 home runs heads the list of returnees. Jeff Holm (16), Jonathon Roof (11) and Brandon Eckerle (13) combined with Boike to help the Spartans steal 71 bases last year.

Two For One: Two of three weekend starters, Soph. Tony Bucciferro (5-2, 3.55 ERA) and Jr. A.J. Achter (3-6, 3.76 ERA), return to spearhead the pitching staff. They do lose Nolan Moody (6-5, 4.53 ERA), who led the staff with his six wins and tossed the team’s only two complete games.

Minnesota

2009 Record: (40-19, 17-6)

Mascot: Golden Gophers

Head Coach: John Anderson

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Vitals: .314 BA, 55 HR, .391 OBP, .971 Fld%…4.85 ERA, 1 CG, 18 SV, 392 K, 192 BB, .285 opp. BA

Slow And Steady: Minnesota didn’t make a big early splash like Illinois, but the Gophers had just a pair of two-game losing streaks and one three-game skid during the regular season en-route to 40 wins in 2009. Minnesota has won at least 40 games and gone to an NCAA Regional in two of the last three seasons.

Minnesota Milestone: Head coach John Anderson got his 1,000th career win last May with a 7-6 win at Penn State. Anderson is the 20th head coach to win 1,000 games with the same team and the first Big Ten coach to

Scott Matyas

accomplish the feat.

Iron Men: Senior Michael Kvasnicka (.341, 10 HR, 65 RBIs) leads trio of returning Minnesota players who started all 59 games last year. Redshirt Soph. Nick O’Shea (.287, 11 HR, 44 RBIs) started every game last year as well, while A.J. Petterson (.353) started all but one game. The Golden Gophers do lose Derek McCallum (.409, 18 HR, 86 RBIs), who also started every game last year and then was taken by the Minnesota Twins in the fourth round of last year’s MLB Draft.

Golden Arm: Closer Scott Matyas (0-1, 2.22 ERA, 15 SV) is back to lead the pitching staff. The junior finished second in the Big Ten with his 15 saves last year to Ohio State’s Jake Hale. He struckout 45 of the 104 batters he faced in 28 1/3 innings last year. Matyas was drafted by the Yankees last year in the 29th round, but he opted to return for his jurnio season (he redshirted in 2007). Fellow junior Seth Rosin (7-1, 4.21 ERA) is the lone returning weekend starter.

Northwestern

2009 Record: (14-35-1, 5-17)

Mascot: Wildcats

Head Coach: Paul Stevens

Location: Evanston, IL

Vitals: .264 BA, 35 HR, .333 OBP, .964 Fld%…6.39 ERA, 6 CG, 4 SV, 274 K, 182 BB, .318 opp. BA

Big League Digs: The Wildcats will play a doubleheader vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Milwaukee’s Miller Park on April 28. The twin bill will be played after the Milwaukee Brewers play the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 12:10 pm game.

Wildcat Workhorses: Northwestern returns it entire weekend pitching rotation from 2009. Senior LHP Joe Muraski (3-5, 5.31 ERA) led the staff with 65 Ks in 81 1/3 IP, while posting a team-best .276 opponent batting average, junior LHP Eric Jokisch (4-7, 5.48 ERA) pitched five of the staff’s six complete games en-route to a team-leading 88 2/3 IP and sophomore RHP Eric Morton (2-7, 5.65 ERA) was the only other Wildcat to pitch more than 57 innings in ’09. Relievers Michael Jahns (1-1, 3.56 ERA) and Francis Brooke (2-2, 3.68 ERA) are back as well.

Long Ball Loss: The Wildcats return most of their line-up from 2009, but they lose home run and RBI leader Tony Vercelli (.258, 11 HR, 40 RBIs). Paul Snieder (.244, 6 HR, 25 RBIs) is the team’s top returning home run hitter, Kenneth Avila (.293) hit for the best average last year, while Chris Lashmet (.296, 5 HR, 30 RBIs) returns as well.

No Home Cookin’: For the second straight year Northwestern will play just 15 home games.

Ohio State

2009 Record: (42-19, 18-6)

Mascot: Buckeyes

Head Coach: Bob Todd

Location: Columbus, OH

Vitals: .328 BA, 66 HR, .400 BA, .963 Fld%…6.39 ERA, 5 CG, 21 SV, 462 K, 265 BB, .300 opp. BA

Dan Burkhart (left) & Alex Wimmers

Dynamic Duo: Reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Dan Burkhart (.354, 10 HR, 62 RBIs) and co-Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Alex Wimmers (9-2, 3.27 ERA) return to spearhead the Buckeyes in 2010. The juniors were not only high school teammates at Cincinnati’s Archbishop Moeller high school, but also teammates back to their Little League days. Burkhart started 57 of OSU’s 61 games last year, while serving as the battery mate for Wimmers’ May 2, 2009 no-hitter in a 6-0 win over arch-rival Michigan.

Buckeyes Back: Including Burkhart OSU returns 8 of its top 10 hitters from last year’s NCAA Regional team. Among them are outfielder Michael Stephens (.346, 14 HR, 63 RBIs), team batting leader Ryan Dew (.388), Zach Hurley (.346, 14 SB), Cory Kovanda (.341), and Matt Streng (.308, 8 HR). Starting pitchers Eric Best (7-4, 5.95 ERA) and and Dean Wolosiansky (11-2, 6.04 ERA) are back as well.

There’s A Hole In The Pen: The biggest hole to fill for the Buckeyes in 2010 will be the one left by closer Jake Hale (0-1, 1.31 ERA, 18 SV). The All-American led the Big Ten and ranked second in the nation last year with his 18 saves.

Bad Aftertaste: Despite the thrill of a trip to the Tallahassee NCAA Regional last year, Ohio State ended the season on a sour note with a 37-4 loss to host Florida State. The Seminoles set NCAA Tournament records for runs, hits (38), total bases (66), and doubles (15) against a team that was playing its fourth game in three days. 33 of the FSU runs were earned. Without those runs the OSU staff ERA would drop nearly half a run to 5.93.

Big East Challenge, Part II: In addition to its games vs. Notre Dame, USF and Cincinnati at the Big Ten/Big East Challenge Ohio State has five more match-ups with Big East teams during the regular season. The Buckeyes play UConn on March 14 in Knoxville, TN, USF again in Winter Haven on March 24, two games vs. Louisville in Columbus May 4 & 5, and then welcome Pittsburgh to town for a May 18 contest.

Penn State

2009 Record: (25-26, 8-16)

Mascot: Nittany Lions

Head Coach: Robbie Wine

Location: State College, PA

Vitals: .294 BA, 29 HR, .371 OBP, .964 Fld%…5.78 ERA, 1 CG, 10 SV, 339 K, 219 BB, .300 opp. BA

Staying & Going: Penn State returns its top two hitters, but loses two of its top run producers from last year’s team. sophomore Jordan Sternaka led the Nittany Lions in batting average (.365), home runs (6), RBIs (42), slg% (.536), and triples (3) as a true freshman. He also tied fellow returnee Blake Lynd (.356) for the team lead with 39 runs scored. PSU does lose coach’s son Cory Wine (.307, 5 HR, 41 RBIs) and Mike Deese (.301, 5 HR, 40 RBIs).

PSU Pitching: The pitching staff loses its top three starters from 2009, but three top relievers return. Sophomore Ryan Ignas (5-1, 5.31 ERA, 5 SV) led the staff in wins and saves last year, Sr. LHP David Lutz (4-2, 3.38 ERA, 3 SV) had the staff’s best ERA and Jr. Jesse Alfreno’s (1-0, 4.44 ERA, SV) 20 appearances were the team’s third-most behind Lutz (26) and Ignas (22). Alfreno is also a cornerback on the Penn State football team.

Texas Two Step: Penn State plays five straight games against 2009 NCAA Tournament teams in March with two games vs. Texas A&M in College Station, TX followed by a 3-game set vs. Texas State in San Marcos.

Purdue

2009 Record: (25-26, 11-12)

Mascot: Boilermakers

Head Coach: Doug Schreiber

Location: West Lafayette, IN

Vitals: .316 BA, 40 RBIs, .405 OBP, .954 Fld%…5.96 ERA, 4 CG, 10 SV, 341 K, 199 BB, .301 opp. BA

Big Boiler Losses: Purdue loses three vital cogs from last year’s team. Brandon Haveman (.422, 20 doubles), John Cummins (.400) and slugger Dan Black (.310, 15 HR, 51 RBIs) are all gone. Black’s 62 walks were second in the nation in 2009.

Top Returners: Sophomore infielder Eric Charles (.371, 45 Runs) is the Boilermakers top returning hitter. He’s joined in the line-up by David Blount (.322) and Drew Madia (.290, 6 HR, 32 RBIs), whose home run and RBI totals were both second to Black last year.

Plenty Of Pitching: All three weekend starters, seniors Matt Bischoff (4-5, 5.54 ERA) & Matt Jansen (4-6, 6.62 ERA) and junior Matt Morgan (6-5, 4.75 ERA), are back for the Boilermakers this year. Bischoff has received All-Big Ten recognition in each of his first three seasons. Saves leader Kevin Cahill (3-2, 6.40 ERA, 6 SV) is back in the bullpen along with Drew Wurdack (4-1, 5.45 ERA, 2 SV)

Home Grown: 23 players on Purdue’s official web site roster are from the state of Indiana.

2010 Big Ten Conference Predictions

Player of the Year: Ryan LaMarre – Michigan

Pitcher of the Year: Alex Wimmers – Ohio State

Conference Champion: Ohio State – The Buckeyes should win a close race with Minnesota on its heels.

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Top College Baseball Moments Of 2009 #20

Sean Stires — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:38:38 +0000

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Illinois Shocks #1 LSU In Baton Rouge

(With the end of the year fast approaching, we’re counting down some of the top moments from the 2009 college baseball season (in no particular order). We’ll have one a day through New Year’s Eve.)

LSU was riding high heading into the third weekend of the 2009 season. The Tigers were ranked #1 in multiple national polls, they were 9-0 with eight of those wins in the new Alex Box Stadium and they had won 25 straight regular season

Illinois was not intimidated by the daunting Alex Box Stadium environment.

games dating back to the end of the 2008 season. Not only was Paul Mainieri’s squad winning games, they were bludgeoning opponents by a combined 109-25 score in their first nine games of the season.

Enter Illinois. The Illini was a respectable 5-1, but this was a Big 10 team…in Baton Rouge no less. Illinois was 6-13-2 all-time vs. LSU with all 21 games on the bayou. No problem…right? Think again.

In the 129 previous season of Illinois baseball it would be hard to find a better three days than head coach Dan Hartleb’s squad was about to have, and a new freshman phenom was about to emerge. Here’s how it happened:

Aaron Johnson (Illinois Photo)

Friday, March 6: LSU and Illinois were tied 1-1 in the ninth inning when Illini catcher Aaron Johnson stepped to the plate with one on and two out. Illinois had done next two nothing all night vs. LSU starter Anthony Ranaudo, who struckout 12 before exiting after seven innings. Johnson, Illinois’ #5 batter, was responsible for 3 of those Ks. The junior from Sussex Corner, Neb made up for it though by launching a first pitch slider from Louis Coleman off the massive video scoreboard above the wall in left field to put Illinois on top 3-1. The Alex Box crowd of 7,640 was stunned and later silenced when Illinois pitcher Nick Chmielewski struckout the side in the bottom of the 9th to end the game.

The win came almost 14 years to the day after Illinois’ last win over a #1 ranked team (March 5, 1995-a 7-4 win over Miami). Illini sophomore starter Phil Haig held an LSU team that was averaging 12 runs a game to just a run on eight hits through seven innings. He induced 12 groundouts. Freshman reliever Corey Kimes earned the win by fanning the side in the 8th inning. That’s right…Kimes and Chmielewski combined to strikeout the last six LSU batters of the night.

Saturday, March 7: If the Tigers were licking their wounds after Friday night’s stunner, they didn’t show it. LSU exploded for a 22-10 game two win. The game featured 10 home runs, 3 grand slams (all by LSU), 32 runs, 32 hits, and 11 pitchers. None of the pitchers for either side lasted more than three innings. Illinois’ hurlers combined to walk 11 LSU batters. The 3 grand slams by LSU tied an NCAA record for the most in a single game and set a new SEC mark.

Willie Argo (Illinois Photo)

However, the story of the game wasn’t what the vaunted Tigers did in victory, it was was an Illinois freshman did in defeat. Outfielder Willie Argo had sat on the bench through the first seven games of his career, but he made the most of his first collegiate opportunity. Making his first college start in rightfield (at LSU no less) Argo went 3-for-3 with 3 home runs in his first three official at-bats (he drew a walk his third time up).

The Davenport, Iowa native hit the leftfield foul pole with the second pitch of his first career at-bat for his first home run, and then launched two shots over the left field wall in his next two official trips to the plate. After the game Argo said “I couldn’t believe it after the first one, and then I just laughed after the second and felt like it was just one of those days after the third. They made some mistakes by giving me fastballs in the middle of the plate, and I took advantage of it.”

Argo (Press play to listen to Argo talk about his big day & Illinois’ big weekend in his podcast interview with Collegebaseball360.com Editor Sean Stires.)

Sunday, March 8: Stellar pitching and shaky defense by LSU capped Illinois’ remarkable weekend with a 6-2 Illini win. Senior Ben Reeser had the start of a lifetime with 9 Ks in 8 2/3 innings to give his team the series win. Illinois

Ben Reeser (Illinois Photo)

scored its first two runs thanks to a pair of LSU errors in the 3rd (somewhat ironic since LSU’s stellar defense later in Omaha was such a big part of its national championship run). Designated hitter Casey McMurray had a pair of RBIs for Illinois, while three of his teammates had an RBI apiece. Illinois took a 6-0 lead into the bottome of the 9th before LSU finally scored. Chmielewski came in with one on and two outs to strikeout Nick Pontiff to end the game. A day after his 3 home run coming out party Willie Argo was 0-for-4 with 3 Ks in the loss.

Notes On The Illinois’ Stunning Series Win:

Aaron Johnson earned Big 10 Player of the Week honors for his efforts. He batted .500 in the series with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs.
Ben Reeser was named Big 10 Pitcher of the Week.
It was the first time since 1991 that Illinois took both Player and Pitcher of the Week honors in the same week.
Illinois entered the national rankings the following week at #21 in the Collegiate Baseball poll.
Willie Argo started the rest of Illinois’ 45 games in 2009. He ended his freshman season with a .355 average, a team-high 12 HR, 47 RBIs, and a .651 slg %.
Orange was not a kind color to LSU in 2009. The only other series the Tigers lost all year, home or away, was when they dropped 2 of 3 at home to Tennessee in April.
LSU outscored Illinois 25-19 in the 3 games, but lost the series.
The Tigers hit .421 (16-for-38) in their 22-10 win, but they hit a combined .227 (15-for-66) in their two losses.
Illinois is the first team to win a game and a series in Alex Box Stadium history.
LSU, of course, would go on to win the 2009 national championship, while Illinois would go 34-20, but miss the NCAA Tournament.

Other Top Moments Of 2009

21. Alabama’s Kent Matthes Launches Longballs

22. Freshman Levi Michael Starts In North Carolina’s Season Opener

23. LSU Opens The New Alex Box Stadium

24. Oregon Brings Back Baseball

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CB360 Weekly Recap Dec. 12

Sean Stires — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:36:44 +0000

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It was another busy week. Here’s a look at some of the new stuff we had this week on Collegebaseball360.com (just in case you blinked)!

Top College Baseball Moments of 2009

#24 Oregon Brings Back Baseball

#23 LSU Opens The New Alex Box Stadium

#22 Freshman Levi Michael Starts For North Carolina

#21 Alabama’s Kent Matthes Launches Long Balls

#20 Illinois Shocks #1 LSU In Baton Rouge (along with Willie Argo podcast interview)

Two Sport Stars Golden Tate & Toby Gerhart win the Biletnikoff & Doak Walker Awards, respectively

A By The Numbers look at Golden Tate’s college baseball & football careers

Tate announces he is going to the NFL with video from the press conference as well

Training year round with Villanova Two Sport Star Matt Szczur

Szczur helps the Wildcats to the FCS playoff national semifinals

Monmouth adds Karl Nonemaker & Jim Belanger to its coaching staff

Former Kent State pitching coach Richard Schoonover dies

A scholarship fund established to honor former Arkansas Pine Bluff pitcher Kevin Edwards

Schedules from around the country including the Pac 10, Big 12, Big West, Big 10, Big East. CUSA, Summit, and other conferences