Mid-American Conference

MAC Baseball Tournament Set To Kick Off Tomorrow

05.25.2010

2010 Mid-American Conference Preview Diary
The Mid-American Conference is vaulting into tournament play on the heels of one of its finest regular seasons, if not in recent memory, ever. With a quintet of teams still alive for the MAC Championship going into the final weekend, in the end just two games separated conference champion Central Michigan (20-7), and this week's fifth-seed Bowling Green (18-9). The Chippewas edged MAC-West peers Toledo and Ball State who finished 19-8 in conference play, while the Falcons will share their MAC-East championship with Kent State who also finished 18-9.

While the fight at the top was one for the ages, the race to complete the eight-team tournament field was equally intense and nail biting as it too came down to the final weekend. Just one game wound up separating the 6th-9th place teams in the MAC this season as only three of the four teams could extend their season with a trip to Chillicothe. Miami, Eastern Michigan, and Ohio would received the 6th, 7th, and 8th seeds in the 2010 tournament, with the trio of teams finishing at 13-14 in conference play. Finishing just one game back and out of the tournament picture was Northern Illinois at 12-15.

With a dynamic 27-game regular season in the books, one has to wonder just what is in store for the latest version of the MAC Tournament, as any of the eight teams could return home with the tournament title and a bid to NCAA Regional play. To prepare you for what should be an exciting four days of baseball at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, we take a quick look at the teams that comprise the tournament field, provide a few thoughts from coaches, as well as take a look at the top players in the field with the help of Baseball America's Jim Callis as the MLB Draft sits just two weeks away.

A great venue, with great teams and great players, the 2010 MAC Tournament is the feather in the cap of a great MAC season.

Scouting the Field

Central Michigan Chippewas (33-20 overall, 20-7 MAC) #1 seed, MAC Champions
Head Coach: Steve Jaksa 8th season at CMU 260-191-1

2010 record against the field: 13-5. (3-0 vs. Eastern Michigan & Ohio. 2-1 vs. Kent State, Miami, Toledo. 1-2 vs. Ball State)
Offensive statistics: 53 G, .303 AVG, 355 R, 107 2B, six 3B, 24 HR, .406 SLG, .385 OBP, 46-65 SB-SBA.

Key offensive players: Soph. Nate Theunissen (.403 average, seven home runs, 51 RBI), Sr. James Teas (.400, 3, 39), Sr. Dale Cornstubble (.327, 0, 39), Sr. Bill Anderson (.313, 3, 23, 15-19 SB-SBA), Jr. Matt Faiman (.307, 3, 31)

Pitching statistics: 4.26 ERA, nine saves, 464.1 innings pitched, 535 hits, 294 runs, 150 BB, 359 strikeouts, .288 batting average against.

Key pitchers: Soph. LHP Trent Howard (4-3, 16 G, 3 GS, 3.52 ERA, 5 SV, 53.2 IP, 59 SO, 18 BB), Sr. RHP Jess Hernandez (8-2, 4.03 13 GS, 90.2 IP, 65 SO, 23 BB), Jr. RHP Bryce Morrow (3-2, 4.50 15 G, 7 GS, 54.0 IP, 34 SO, 17 BB), Jr. RHP Jake Sabol (4-5, 5.16, 10 GS, 59.1 IP, 33 SO, 14 BB), Fr. LHP Dietrich Enns (6-0, 1.37, 17 G, 2 GS, 52.2 IP, 54 SO, 23 BB)

MAC Tournament Championships: 2 (1994, 1995)

Kent State Golden Flashes (34-22, 18-9) #2 seed, MAC-East co-Champions
Head Coach: Scott Stricklin 6th season at KSU 217-125

2010 record against the field: 9-9 (2-1 vs. Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Ohio. 1-2 vs. Central Michigan, Miami, Toledo)
Offensive statistics: 56 G, .317 AVG, 448 R, 159 2B, 15 3B, 60 HR, .495 SLG, .399 OBP, 28-42 SB-SBA.

Key offensive players: Sr. Anthony Gallas (.381, 17, 77), Jr. Ben Klafczynski (.358, 8, 48), Soph. Kyle McMillen (.354, 5, 39), Fr. Evan Campbell (.349, 2, 32), Soph. Jimmy Rider (.342, 1, 39), Soph. Travis Shaw (.320, 14, 54)

Pitching statistics: 5.12 ERA, 12 SV, 496.0 IP, 526 H, 335 R, 231 BB, 392 SO, .275 BAA

Key pitchers: Jr. RHP Robert Sabo (5-4, 4.32, 14 GS, 81.1 IP, 66 SO, 29 BB), Soph. LHP David Starn (7-2, 5.28, 14 GS, 76.2 IP, 66 SO, 22 BB), Jr. LHP Kyle Hallock (6-4, 5.50, 13 GS, 72.0 IP, 62 SO, 26 BB) Soph. RHP Kyle McMillen (1-2, 3.91, 17 G, 23.0 IP, 14 SO, 10 BB, 4 SV), Jr. RHP Brett Weibley (3-1, 3.55, 19 G, 33.0 IP, 32 SO, 21 BB, 3 SV)

MAC Tournament Championships: 7 (1992, 93, 2001, 02, 04, 07, 09)

Toledo Rockets (33-20, 19-8) #3 seed, t-2nd MAC-West
Head Coach: Cory Mee 7th season at Toledo 162-209

2010 record against the field: 8-7 (3-0 vs. Eastern Michigan. 2-1 vs. Kent State & Ball State. 1-2 vs. Central Michigan. 0-3 vs. Bowling Green)

Offensive statistics: 53 G, .330 AVG, 415 R, 143 2B, 14 3B, 60 HR, .509 SLG, .387 OBP, 70-91 SB-SBA

Key offensive players: Jr. Chris Dudics (.390, 2, 33, 14-16 SB-SBA), Soph. Matt Delewski (.383, 2, 32), Soph. Joe Corfman (.382, 7, 57, 14-18), Jr. Dan Sherwood (.307, 14, 55), Jr. Jared Hoying (.303, 14, 52, 12-14)

Pitching statistics: 4.74 ERA, 11 SV, 472.2 IP, 496 H, 309 R, 195 BM, 328 SO, .271 BAA

Key pitchers: Soph. LHP Kyle Shaw (5-3, 4.05, 17 G, 8 GS, 66.2 IP, 19 BB, 43 SO), Jr. RHP Matt Suschak (4.12, 4-1, 20 G, 5 GS, 54.2 IP, 18 BB, 54 K, 3 SV), Fr. RHP Mike Hamman (6-3, 4.12, 13 GS, 74.1 IP, 23 BB, 53 SO), Soph. RHP Lincoln Rassi (5-3, 4.96, 13 GS, 61.2 IP, 31 BB, 34 SO), Jr. RHP Matt Kuna (2-2, 4.97, 15 G, 2 GS, 38.0 IP, 8 BB, 23 SO, 3 SV)

MAC Tournament Championships: 0

Ball State Cardinals (28-27, 19-8) #4 seed, t-2nd MAC-West
Head Coach: Greg Beals 8th season at Ball State 242-200

2010 record against the field: 12-6 (3-0 vs. Miami. 2-1 vs. Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Ohio. 1-2 vs. Toledo)

Offensive statistics: 55 G, .298 AVG, 405 R, 116 2B, 10 3B, 72 HR, .475 SLG, .377 OBP, 69-90 SB-SBA

Key offensive players: Jr. Kolbrin Vitek (.368, 17, 68, 15-19 SB-SBA), Jr. TJ Baumet (.342, 5, 35 26-30 SB-SBA), Soph. Ian Nielsen (.333, 10, 55), Sr. Zach Dygert (.291, 11, 54), Sr. Kory Benbow (.285, 9, 35)

Pitching statistics: 5.22, 11 SV, 481.0 IP, 589 H, 358 R, 203 BB, 340 SO, .305 BAA

Key pitchers: Jr. RHP Kolbrin Vitek (3-4, 3.27, 13 GS, 74.1 IP, 20 BB, 57 SO, 2 SV), Soph. RHP Perci Garner (5-2, 4.43, 10 GS, 67.0 IP, 34 BB, 76 SO), Soph. RHP Cal Bowling (6-3, 5.56, 14 GS, 68.0 IP, 28 BB, 68 SO), Sr. RHP Aaron Hammons (0-0, 3.71, 18 G, 17.0 IP, 9 BB, 14 SO, 5 SV), Fr. LHP Jon Cisna (1-1, 4.18, 21 G, 32.1 IP, 10 BB, 18 SO, SV)

MAC Tournament Championships: 1 (2006)

Bowling Green Falcons (28-21-1, 18-9) #5 seed, MAC-East co-Champions
Head Coach: Danny Schmitz 20th season at BGSU 545-484-5

2010 record against the field: 11-7 (3-0 vs. Ohio & Toledo. 2-1 Miami. 1-2 vs. Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Kent State)

Offensive statistics: 50 G, .334 AVG, 404 R, 106 2B, 21 3B, 56 HR, .509 SLG, .399 OBP, 59-82 SB-SBA

Key offensive players: Soph. Jon Berti (.425, 4, 31, 27-33 SB-SBA), Sr. TJ Blanton (.378, 14, 51, 15-20 SB-SBA), Fr. Matthew Pitzulo (.367, 3, 23), Sr. Dennis Vaughn (.333, 9, 52), Sr. Derek Spencer (.306, 12, 46)

Pitching statistics: 6.42 ERA, 10 SV, 434.1 IP, 539 H, 364 R, 181 BB, 313 SO, .303 BAA

Key pitchers: FR. RHP Cody Apthorpe (2-2, 3.61, 8 G, 5 GS, 27.1, 16 BB, 14 SO), Fr. RHP Patrick O'Brien (4-2, 3.82, 22 G, 1 GS, 30.2 IP, 10 BB, 20 SO, 4 SV), Soph. RHP Ross Gerdeman (1-2, 4.75, 25 G, 41.2 IP, 13 BB, 30 SO 3 SV), Sr. RHP Kevin Leady (8-2, 4.84, 13 GS, 87.1 IP, 23 BB, 65 SO), Jr. RHP Brennan Smith (5-4, 8.53, 14 GS, 69.2, 40 BB, 63 SO)

MAC Tournament Championships: 2 (1998, 1999)

Miami RedHawks (28-26 13-14) #6 seed, t-3rd MAC-East
Head Coach: Dan Simonds 5th season at Miami 141-136

2010 record against the field: 7-8 (3-0 vs. Ohio. 2-1 vs. Kent State. 1-2 Bowling Green & Central Michigan. 0-3 vs. Ball State)
Offensive statistics: 54 G, .296 AVG, 387 R, 97 2B, 15 3B, 53 HR, .447 SLG, .376 OBP, 76-94 SB-SBA

Key offensive players: Jr. Adam Eaton (.369, 13, 55, 30-34), Jr. Ryan Kaup (.339, 1, 21), Jr. Jon Edgington (.318, 3, 30, 15-15, SB-SBA), Jr. Adam Weisenburger (.312, 5, 45), Soph. Jordan Jankowski (.293, 8, 32)

Pitching statistics: 6.08 ERA, 12 SV, 464.2 IP, 594 H, 347 R, 175 BB, 320 SO, .315 BAA

Key pitchers: Soph. RHP Jordan Jankowski (3-3, 3.73, 23 G, 31.1 IP, 17 BB, 40 SO, 10 SV), Sr. LHP Kyle Donawerth (3-0, 4.50, 29 G, 26.2 IP, 11 BB, 28 SO 1 SV), Fr. RHP Mac Thoreson (5-5, 4.74, 11 GS, 68.1 IP, 17 BB, 47 SO), Jr. LHP Tyler Melling (4-6, 5.79, 14 GS, 84.0 IP, 21 BB, 53 SO), Jr. LHP Sam Dawes (1-1, 4.50, 22 G, 40.0 IP, 15 BB, 19 SO)

MAC Tournament Championships: 3 (1983, 2000, 2005)

Eastern Michigan Eagles (25-30 13-14) #7 seed, 4th MAC-West
Head Coach: Jay Alexander 2nd season at EMU 50-65

2010 record against the field: 4-11 (2-1 vs. Bowling Green. 1-2 vs. Ball State & Kent State. 0-3 vs. Central Michigan & Toledo)

Offensive statistics: 55 G, .280 AVG, 336 R, 95 2B, 11 3B, 42 HR, .408 SLG, .368 OBP, 55-67 SB-SBA

Key offensive players: Soph. Ben Magsig (.33, 3, 24), Jr. Zack Leonard (.302, 6, 51), Sr. Andrew Marshall (.301, 9 42), Soph. Brent Ohrman (.290, 2, 15, 8-10 SB-SBA), Jr. Bo Kinder (.277, 7, 27)

Pitching statistics: 5.79 ERA, 6 SV, 476.0 IP, 548 H, 363 R, 230 BB, 360 SO, .290 BAA

Key pitchers: Soph. RHP Kendall Lewis (6-4, 4.13, 13 GS, 76.1 IP, 34 BB, 58 SO), Sr. RHP Steven Young (2-1, 4.24, 14 G, 23.1 IP, 17 BB, 10 SO), Fr. RHP Joe Battistelli (3-1, 4.37, 19 G, 35.0 IP, 20 BB, 24 SO), Jr. RHP Corey Chaffins (4-6, 5.81, 14 GS, 100.1 IP, 28 BB, 90 SO), Soph. RHP Jordan Glover (2-4, 6.04, 18 G, 53.2 IP, 25 BB, 42 SO)

MAC Tournament Championships: 3 (1981, 1982, 2008)

Ohio Bobcats (20-33 13-14) #8 seed, t-3rd MAC-East
Head Coach: Joe Carbone 21st season at Ohio 605-532-2

2010 record against the field: 2-13 (1-2 vs. Ball State & Kent State. 0-3 vs. Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Miami)

Offensive statistics: 53 G, .299 AVG, 363 R, 104 2B, 8 3B, 76 HR, .478 SLG, .374 OBP, 41-52 SB-SBA

Key offensive players: Jr. Gauntlett Eldemire (.391, 15, 54, 16-21 SB-SBA), Jr. Robert Maddox III (.377, 20, 76), Jr. Bryan Barnes (.353, 7, 37), Sr. Jerod Yakubik (.323, 4, 39), Fr. Seth Streich (.313, 6, 25)

Pitching statistics: 6.54 ERA, 4 SV, 463.2 IP, 626 H, 403 R, 190 BB, 331 SO, .326 BAA

Key pitchers: Jr. RHP Jason Moulton (3-4, 3.93, 9 GS, 55.0 IP, 18 BB, 47 SO), Sr. RHP Rex Ingham (2-0, 5.01, 25 G, 70.0 IP, 15 BB, 46 SO, 2 SV) Sr. RHP Bryce Butt (5-7, 6.11, 14 G, 70.2 IP, 22 BB, 43 SO), Jr. LHP Ben Trimbur (0-1, 5.61, 22 G, 43.1 IP, 7 BB, 29 SO, 2 SV), Soph. RHP Michael Dillion (4-4, 6.62, 21 G, 35.1 IP, 14 BB, 29 SO)

MAC Tournament Championships: 1 (1997)

Another year of stellar individual talent
Over the years the Mid-American Conference has yielding draft picks in supplying Major League Baseball franchises with talent year after year that rivals any northern conference. With number of quality teams the MAC has fielded this year, there is no questions diamonds across the Midwest are littered with top collegiate talent. With the help of Baseball America's Jim Callis, now that you know the teams that comprise the tournament field let's take a closer look at some of the players to keep an eye on in Chillicothe.

With nine of the top 10 prospects taking the field at VA Memorial Stadium, the MAC 2010 provides one last showcase for these top prospects with the MLB Draft's date of June 7th approaching. With a probable first-round selection in Vitek, while Garner, Eldemire, and Suschak all warranting top three round selection, the chance to see tomorrow's stars today will be available this week in Chillicothe.