CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – Hey, Illini Fans! This is Bill Charvat writing from Crystal Lake, Ill. I am currently playing for the Crystal Lake Cardinals in the CSBL (Chicago Suburban Baseball League) and the Illinois Metro Collegiate Baseball League.
Playing in both of these leagues allows our team to play every day. We have had a great season so far with a record of 36-11, which is good enough for first place in the Metro League and second place in the CSBL. We already have qualified for our end-of-the-year World Series in Toledo, Ohio.
On a personal note, I have had a good season so far, batting around .333 and playing well in the field. Playing every day has been a great experience because I have gone through hot and cold streaks and have learned how to get out of the cold streaks. I also have gotten the chance to get in my extra work before games, whether in the cages or on the field. READ MORE
Cal State Northridge Summer Baseball Report #5
Chris DeBoo
Right-Handed Pitcher, Humboldt Crabs – West Coast League
The Crabs are having a successful summer, crafting an astonishing record of 30-8 thanks to DeBoo. He leads the Crabs’ pitching staff with an ERA of 0.57, four wins, and 12 appearances, has only given up two earned runs in the 31.1 innings pitched this summer, and still has only given up one extra base hit.
Justin DeMarco
Middle Infielder, California Mariners – Southern California Collegiate Baseball Association
In the 20 games that DeMarco has played for the California Mariners, he has split his time in the field at second base, third base, and shortstop, compiling a .996 fielding average in the process. At the plate, DeMarco is batting .362 with nine doubles and six triples for the second-place Mariners.
Bryan Longpre
Right-Handed Pitcher, Palm Springs Power – Southern California Collegiate Baseball Association
Longpre appeared in three of the five games contributing to an undefeated week for the Power. In his five innings pitched he struckout four batters, and earned his team-leading total fourth save of the season.
This summer Longpre has pitched in 20 games, the most of any Power pitcher, and pitched a total of 27 innings limiting his opposition to only a .134 batting average against him. With a total of 32 strikeouts and three wins under his belt, Longpre has continued to put up impressive numbers for the Power this summer.
Jacob Peterson
Pitcher/First Baseman, San Luis Obispo Blues – Sierra Baseball League
Peterson did not see any time on the mound as the Blues went 4-5 over the past week.
For the season he has a perfect 0.00 ERA and a 1-0 record, has made four appearances on the mound, pitched a total of five innings, and struck out nine batters.
Ryan Pineda
Second Baseman, Wareham Gatemen – Cape Cod League
Pineda helped the Western Division leading Gatemen to a 5-2 record this past week, starting in five games and totaling up three hits and two walks. He had a multi-hit game against the Brewster Whitecaps on July 14, going 2-for-4 in a 5-1 defeat. The second baseman’s season totals are 16 hits, 11 runs scored, eight RBIs, nine walks, five doubles, two stolen bases and a .182 batting average. Pineda’s five doubles is currently second-best on the team. He also is tied for third on the team in runs scored and RBIs.
TS Reed
Second Baseman, Sedalia Bombers – M.I.N.K League
On July 14, the Bombers had a two game sweep against Nevada at Liberty Stadium, which left the two teams tied for first in the MINK South Division. On July 16, the Bombers won their double header against the MINK North leader, Chillicothe, which preserved their spot atop the standings. As the week progressed, Nevada lost to Joplin, while the Bombers split their double header with Beatrice to clinch the MINK South Division Championship. Reed finished the regular season third on his team with a .343 batting average, 16 RBI’s, and ten stolen bases.
Billy Swanson
Outfielder, Edenton Steamers – Coastal Plain League
The Steamers have had a successful week, winning four out of their last five games. Swanson continues to lead his team with a .325 batting average, 38 hits, and 8 doubles. Due to his successful season, the Coastal Plain League has just announced Billy Swanson to their American All-Star Team.
Robert Vickers
Shortstop, San Luis Obispo Rattlers – California Collegiate League
Vickers did not see any playing time as the Rattlers went 1-5 this past week.
For the season Vickers is batting .121 with 66 at-bats and has eight runs, eight hits, four RBIs and has the second-highest amount of walks on the team with 12. Defensively, Vickers has a .952 fielding percentage and 33 assists and has started 17 of the 18 games that he has played in this season.
Memphis Nabs Richland College Standout Infielder Chris Castillo
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis baseball inked Richland College infielder Chris Castillo to a National Letter of Intent head coach Daron Schoenrock announced today.
“We are very excited about Chris’s (Castillo) decision to join the program,” said Schoenrock. “He comes from a talent-rich Dallas area. We are excited with the depth that he’ll provide and his ability to play short, second and third. He is a great addition to the talented infield we have returning.”
Castillo played an instrumental role in helping Richland College to a 47-13 record and the 2009 NJCAA Division III World Series championship. A versatile player, Castillo played second base, third base and catcher in his redshirt freshman campaign. The 5-10 Castillo redshirted the 2008 season, but showcased impressive power numbers in 2009. He hit .418 with 13 doubles and 11 home runs en route to garnering All-Conference and All-Region recognition. He added three stolen bases and a pair of triples. FULL STORY
Jeff Burrow Gets the Nod for 2009 UT Arlington Hall of Honor
ARLINGTON, Texas – Former UT Arlington right-handed pitcher Jeff Burrow has been selected as a member of the Class of 2009 that will be inducted into The University of Texas at Arlington Department of Athletics Hall of Honor, on Sept. 12 at the Arlington Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom.
Burrow, an Arlington High School graduate (’87), pitched four seasons for the Mavericks (1988-91) while setting career records for wins (27), innings pitched (333.0), complete games (25) and games started (51).
In 1991, Burrow became one of only seven pitchers in UT Arlington history to win 10 games as leading the Mavericks with a 10-3 record and 45 strikeouts with a 3.89 ERA with a team-leading 85 2/3 innings pitched. His 10 victories in 1991 led the Southland Conference.
A second team All-Southland Conference selection as a sophomore, Burrow was the team leader in innings pitched and complete games during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
Burrow earned a spot in the Mavericks’ rotation as a freshman going 4-2 with a 4.36 ERA in 66.0 innings pitched with four complete games in nine starts. He earned the team’s Most Outstanding Freshman Award for his accomplishments in 1988. FULL STORY
Vols Finding Success Throughout Summer Baseball Leagues
If summer league success is any indication, the future of the University of Tennessee baseball program is getting brighter by the day. The Volunteers have a total of 19 current players and signees participating in leagues throughout the country, including five in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League and another playing with the US Collegiate National Team.
Currently in Prince Georgia, British Columbia, competing in the World Baseball Challenge, UT rising junior Blake Forsythe is hitting .277 for Team USA with a pair of home runs and three doubles. The Memphis native has also walked 20 times in just 17 games en route to a stellar .514 on-base percentage.
In the Cape Cod League, a trio of Vols have been spectacular, highlighted by the efforts of UT junior college signee Chad Bell who twirled a no-hitter over the Chatham Athletics on Sunday, July 12. The former South-Doyle High School and Walters State standout walked three and struck out eight in leading the Cotuit Kettleers to the 8-2 victory. For the summer, Bell leads the team in virtually every pitching category with a 3-1 record, a 1.07 ERA in 33.2 innings and 30 strikeouts to just 12 walks. The Texas Rangers’ 14th-round selection in last month’s MLB Draft, Bell has allowed only 15 hits in eight appearances, including five starts.
Not to be outdone, rising senior Bryan Morgado has starred for the Bourne Braves, tallying a 1-0 record with a stellar 1.80 ERA. The hard-throwing left-hander has struck out 32 in 20 innings, while allowing just 11 hits, 11 walks and a total of four earned runs. For his efforts, the third-round pick by the Chicago White Sox was named the Coca-Cola Pitcher of the Week on July 9. FULL STORY
