Coming off a disappointing 10-29 season that somewhat failed expectations, the Blackburn College Baseball Team is carrying a different attitude towards the 2015 campaign. The feeling around the team seems to be much more laid back and positive rather than an intense, pressurized feeling that has been circling the team in the past. Head Coach Mike Neal, entering his 17th season, places much of the credit for that on the two new assistant coaches. Daniel Sharp and John Harris were brought in over winter break as full-time assistant coaches to help out Neal. “These two guys are tremendous adds for our program. It takes a lot of pressure off of me to do everything. They can provide more teaching in specific areas and they’re going to be a benefit for sure,” said Neal, who believes that benefit should help the team on the field.
On the field, the goal is to “win a bunch,” confirmed Neal. “I don’t think we have any superstars on our team, but we have a roster full of really good ballplayers. There’s going to be a different hero every day.” There’s a strong team concept around this 2015 squad and it should pay off throughout the season. This season will have a different look to it, though.
The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference shook up the baseball alignment. Instead of one combined league of ten total teams, they are split up into an East and West Division of five teams each. Blackburn is a part of the East Division which also consists of Greenville, MacMurray, Spalding, and Principia while the West is made up of Webster, Westminster, Iowa Wesleyan, Fontbonne, and Eureka. The Beavers will play their division opponents three times each and their opponents from the West only twice each. “It should be interesting,” said Neal. “Especially since our last scheduled games should be against the contenders in our division. Those are important games at the end.”
Pitchers
Two seniors are towards the top of the staff for the Beavers this year in Jacob Baalman (Hardin, Ill.) and Jon Lowry (Peoria Heights, Ill.) Although this pair may see a majority of the innings on the mound, Neal believes there isn’t much dropoff from top to bottom. “All of our guys are different and have their own separate craft to get guys out. Most teams falter as they get to their deeper pitching options, but that won’t be us.” Baalman is known for his good command on the bump. “He can be very successful when he’s hitting his spots and the defense is playing well behind him. He’s an intelligent pitcher,” said Neal. Last year, he threw 44.1 innings pitched with a 3.65 K’s per game mark. Lowry was a bad luck loser in a few games last season when he went 1-3 despite a 5.34 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched.
Two other graduating pitchers will have an impact on the mound once the season gets under way. Tim Hillis (Williamsville, Mo) and Vinnie Birk (Swansea, Ill.) have both been struggling with arm troubles but should be back in the mix towards the end of March. Hillis, another very smart pitcher, threw 46.1 innings last year which is the most of any returner. He posted a 6.41 ERA with 18 strikeouts. Birk pitched 31 innings with a team-best 6.1 strikeouts per game and 5.23 ERA.
The Beavers will rely on two juniors to get crucial outs out of the bullpen. Tyler “Goose” Gosnell (DeKalb, Ill.) and Jarrett “Bird” Luckett (Louisville, Ky.), a transfer from Rend Lake, are both guys “that we need to help close out games. They’re going to get some important outs for us, especially since Goose is right- handed and Bird is left-handed. It gives us options,” said Neal. He is also impressed with the offspeed stuff from both guys as well as the different type of mindset they bring. “Goose is a great teammate and is always positive. He seems like a joy to play behind. Byrd brings an incomparable intensity on the mound and is the most competitive pitcher on the team.” Gosnell appeared in 21 games last year while throwing 38 innings. He had a 5.45 ERA.
There are two freshmen Tylers that are very comparable arms for Blackburn. Tyler Durand (Mt. Zion, Ill.) and Tyler Morgan (Mt. Vernon, Ill.) are the hardest throwers on the team. “We should see a lot of improvement with these two over time. A lot of that credit is owed to Coach Sharp and also the players for buying into what he has to say.” The pair of Tylers should see a bundle of time on the mound this year.
Dillon Hensley (Bedford, Ind.) will be a submarine option out of the bullpen. He brings a different look and is a competitor according to Neal. Kelan Doria (St. Louis, Mo.) will be another option as the spring progresses. Senior Marcus Kelly (Astoria, Ill.) along with freshmen Jacob Whitcomb (Bloomington, Ill.) and John Esparza (Brookfield, Ill.) will provide depth for the pitching staff.
Catchers
Senior Jose Osorio (Caguas, Puerto Rico) leads the catching corps for Blackburn. Neal praises his work ethic and tremendous defensive skills behind the dish. “He’s an excellent blocker and receiver of the ball. When he’s back there he steals some strikes for our pitchers.” He also expects a jump on offense from Osorio who hit .240 in 31 games last year with 20 RBI. Sophomore Joey Szerletich (Pleasant Plains, Ill.) is a second strong catching option. “Joey’s a nice left-handed power threat with a plus arm as well,” said Neal. Robert Fagg, a freshman from Springfield, Ill., provides depth behind the plate and will primarily be used as bullpen catcher to work with the pitchers.
Infielders
At first base, Blackburn will go with the hot hand whether it’s senior Jon Lowry or junior Jared Jones (Mitchell, Ind.). Lowry is a right-handed option while Jones is left-handed. Neal really likes the work these two put in during the offseason. “They both came ready to play and in great shape. They’re stronger and ready to go.” Lowry hit.292 with a .388 OBP in 27 games with 17 RBI. Jones hit.161 in 31 at-bats last season. Tyler Durand may also see some time at first base if need be.
The Beavers will have a returning 2nd Team All-Conference infielder manning second base this year in Aaron Moody (Navarino, Wis.). Last season, he hit .321 in 140 at-bats with a whopping 32 RBI and nine extra-base hits. Neal thinks he can be even better this year. “He’s gotten stronger, he’s made adjustments, and he’s got the best swing since he’s been here.”
Behind Moody is freshman Shane Lewis (Middleburg, Flo.), senior Andrew Williams (Calhoun, Ill.), freshman Seth Olsen (Jacob, Ill.), and freshman Austin Bradley (Waterloo, Ill.). Lewis is a versatile infielder who will see time all around the infield. During the early going, Lewis has impressed the coaches mightily. “He’s looked strong with the bat so far and he’s really pushing the envelope here. He may crack the lineup very soon,” says Neal.
Brock Hill (Woodlawn, Ill.) will begin the season as the shortstop. He transferred from Midcontinent College and fits in great with his teammates. Just looking at Hill, one can see his strength. “Brock will bring a power threat to our lineup that we haven’t really seen in awhile. He’s the hardest worker in the weight room and it should pay off,” said Neal.
The third base spot depends on the health of senior Vinnie Birk. If healthy, the returning 2nd Team All-Conference utility man will hold down the hot corner. In 2014, Birk hit .361 with a .432 OBP and 23 runs scored in 31 games. He could also see some time as a designated hitter.
Senior Ben Beckwith (Potosi, Mo.) and sophomore Kelan Doria are also options at third base. “Ben brings experience to our infield while Kelan is a solid all-around option,” proclaims Neal. Both players are also versatile and can play all over the infield when needed. Beckwith finished last year with a .160 AVG and .323 OBP in 17 games.
Outfielders
In left field, the Beavers have plenty of options. It’s going to be a battle/platoon with seniors Doug Matas (Youngstown, Ohio) and Luis Velez (Addison, Ill.) and freshman Tyler Durand. Matas improved greatly in large part to his offseason work in the weight room. He batted .274 with 14 RBI in 84 at-bats last season. Velez has impressed Neal so far in the early going. “He’s really been working with his swing. It looks the best I’ve seen it in all four of his years here.” Velez hit a whopping .360 with a .484 OBP in 25 at-bats. Durand may give the two seniors a run for their money believes Neal. “He’s got some pop from the left side which is nice, and he’s such a physical, polished player for a freshman.”
Saugus, California native Tylor Klipfel will be the centerfielder for Blackburn. “It is hard to replace one of the best players in our conference the past four years in Donny Fuhrhop, but Klipfel will be a solid player for us. He’s going to provide as strong arm and very good defense and will have to be an important piece in our lineup,” said Neal.
First Team All-Conference and Third Team All-Region outfielder Matt Mokriakow (Glen Carbon, Ill.) will return to play right field for his junior season. “He’s one of the best hitters in the SLIAC,” says Neal. “There’s barely any bad AB’s out of him and he’s such a sound outfielder.” Mokriakow will again be counted on as a main part of the Blackburn offense after finishing last year with a .395 AVG, 60 hits, 15 doubles, four homers, 34 runs scored, and 42 RBI.
Other outfield options are freshman Walter Jarvis (Glendale, Ariz.) and Jon Pierre “JP” Hobbs (Evergreen Park, Ill.). “Walter is so strong and physical but he needs to learn to adapt to the college game. He’ll be really good in a few years,” said Neal. “JP has had great days in practice but then other not so great days. He just needs to find more consistency.”
Neal gives credit to Coach Harris for the work he’s done with not just these two hitters, but everybody. “Our approach at the plate is so much better. We’re smarter thinkers and we can control what we want to do when we’re up.”
The 30-man roster is the largest in school history for the Beavers. The depth at every position on the field is creating competition and will many guys ready to go whenever we need them. Neal said “We’re going to have some different lineups because we believe we have many players that can get the job done.”
Blackburn will open up play this weekend against Illinois Wesleyan in Jackson, Miss. before heading to New Orleans to continue their annual Spring Break trip. For more updates on the season, follow Blackburn Baseball on twitter @BCBeavBaseball.