Illinois-Chicago (2018 Record: 30-18, 15-9)
Last season UIC finished second in the conference and won 30 games, but they couldn’t get by top seeded Wright State in the Horizon League Tournament.
Returning Players
The outfield should be set for UIC with Scott Ota, Dom Smith, and Derrick Patrick. Ota hit .283 in 2018 with 33 runs scored, 8 doubles, 7 triples, 5 home runs, and 34 RBI. Smith hit .292 last season with 6 home runs and 37 RBI, while Patrick hit .261 in limited time with 30 runs scored, 8 doubles, and 5 stolen bases. Second baseman Matt Bottcher hit .293 last year in just 99 at-bats with 24 runs scored.
Jacob Key will likely be back in the weekend rotation after posting a 3.77 ERA in 74 innings pitched with 72 strikeouts in 12 starts. Alex Padilla was the team’s closer in 2018 with 8 saves, a 4.56 ERA, and 34 strikeouts in 25.2 innings. Noah Masa was solid out of the pen in 2018 with a 3.99 ERA in 29.1 innings with 27 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Transfer Patrick Martin could have a major impact on the pitching staff, while freshman Ryan Hampe will compete for time at catcher.
Outlook for 2019
“Our pitching depth will be tested this season after losing multiple guys to the draft the past two years, however we feel we have a chance to have our best offensive club that we’ve had in quite some time.” – Quote provided by UIC Athletics Department
Milwaukee (2018 Record: 26-28, 13-12)
It was a decent season for Milwaukee in 2018 finishing with a winning record and then going 2-2 in the Horizon League Tournament. They’ll look to take another step forward in 2019.
Returning Players
“We only lost one position player from last year’s lineup (Ben Chally). We feel good about the lineup as most have another season under their belt. Our leadoff hitter, CF Devon Rybacki, led the conference in hitting at .336. Our LF, Colin Kreiter, will sit in the three-hole and we expect him to have a huge impact again. Catcher Tyler Bordner had 21 extra base hits and was a run producer last season. We expect him to take a jump and have a big season.” – Head Coach Scott Doffek
Kreiter hit .320 with 4 home runs, while Bordner hit .241 with 5 home runs. Second baseman Trevor Schwecke hit .318 last year with 43 runs scored, 11 doubles, 3 home runs, 39 RBI, and 19 stolen bases.
Jake Sommers has a chance to be back in the starting rotation after posting a 6.53 ERA in 62 innings pitched with 54 strikeouts in 2018. Jared Reklaitis had a 4.87 ERA in 61 innings pitched with 67 strikeouts. Patrick Tomfohrde (3.13), Mike Edwards (2.45), and George Swedie (2.30) should all be big parts of the pitching staff again.
Newcomers
“Jack Cavanaugh is a two-way guy that should have impact on both sides of the ball — could potentially be the closer. He is a transfer from Evansville University by way of Joliet Community College. Freshman Nate DeYoung (Infielder) looks to be an impact player also early in his career.” – Coach Doffek
Outlook for 2019
“We need to do a better job of situational hitting. We also need to learn to apply more pressure on the bases without making costly outs. Hoping we can solidify our bullpen and establish roles early on.” – Coach Doffek
Northern Kentucky (2018 Record: 14-39, 9-21)
The highlight of the 2018 season for Northern Kentucky was upsetting a ranked Kentucky team. Outside of that, there wasn’t much to get excited about.
Returning Players
“Offensively, we are going to rely heavily on Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American, Griffin Doersching, and All-Conference player, Will Haueter. We are also looking for big things from Andrew Bacon and Collin Hohman. They both made the Horizon League All-Freshman team last season.” – Head Coach Todd Asalon
Doersching hit .243 last year with 13 home runs and 49 RBI. Haueter hit .360 with 40 runs scored, 9 home runs, and 37 RBI.
“On the mound, we return starter Sam Williams, and we have moved Kyle Service into the starting rotation. Joe Martin will return as our closer. Billy Marion, coming off of an injury, will be starting in right field.” – Coach Asalon
Williams posted a 6.86 ERA in 61.2 innings pitched with 61 strikeouts. Service had a 7.07 ERA in 49.2 innings pitched with 39 strikeouts. Martin collected three saves with a 6.37 ERA in 41 innings pitched with 30 strikeouts.
Newcomers
“New players who look to make an impact: Starting at shortstop will be JUCO transfer Collin Luty, and at second base will be a freshman, Noah Fisher. Left field will be manned by a freshman, Trey Bowden. Jake Murray will play in center field. Jayden Wakeham (FR.) and Matt Jewell (JUCO) will see quality time behind the plate. Brennan Gick and Griffin Kain are both athletic outfielders who will see significant time.
“On the mound, look for TJ Graves (Fr.), Jake Dennis (JUCO), Proctor Mercer (Fr.), Tyler Ollier (Fr.) and Noah Richardson (Fr.) to log many quality innings.” – Coach Asalon
Outlook for 2019
“We need to improve in all areas, but especially on the mound if we want to achieve our goals. We have added speed and athleticism offensively and are definitely a better defensive team.” – Coach Asalon
Oakland (2018 Record: 15-32, 12-14)
Oakland finished fourth in the Horizon League last year but went one-and-done in the league tournament.
Returning Player
Outfielder Myles Zilinsky led the team in hitting last season at .313 in just 131 at-bats with 21 runs scored, 9 doubles, 3 home runs, and 20 RBI. Second baseman Mario Camilletti is back after a great freshman season in which he hit .299 with 28 runs scored, 2 home runs, 22 RBI, and 9 stolen bases. Shortstop Tyler Trovinger hit .259 in 2018 with 5 home runs and 28 RBI. Ryan Fitzgerald hit .244 last year with 42 runs scored and 20 stolen bases and should be back atop the lineup in his senior season.
Nick Parr will be back for his senior season after making 13 starts last year with 75 strikeouts in 80 innings pitched. Austin Sherry and Beau Keathley will both be big pieces of the pitching staff in 2019.
Outlook for 2019
Oakland has a lot of key pieces coming back in the lineup, so I don’t expect any drop-off in their offensive production. They lose their two best pitchers from a pitching staff that had a 7.31 ERA in 2019. They need several arms to step up this season.
Wright State (2018 Record: 39-17, 22-6)
It was another strong season for Wright State as they bulldozed the competition in the Horizon League. They lost a one-run game to Stanford in the NCAA Regionals before getting eliminated.
Returning Players
“Offensively, we’re returning a lot of experience, so we will have a number of players have a major impact. We look for our veteran outfield of Peyton Burdick, JD Orr, and Zach Weatherford to be key contributors to our team this year both offensively and defensively. In the infield we expect Chase Slone (SS) and Seth Gray (3B) to have a major impact, both on the right side of the infield as well as at the plate. Our pitching staff will be anchored by senior catcher Brandon Giltrow behind the plate. Brandon is as good with the glove as anyone in college baseball.” – Head Coach Alex Sogard
Burdick hit .347 a season ago with 60 runs scored, 9 home runs, and 65 RBI. Orr hit .318 with 62 runs scored and 34 stolen bases. Slone hit .280 with 3 home runs and 47 RBI. First baseman/DH Zane Harris hit .342 as a freshman last year with 3 home runs and 39 RBI in just 111 at-bats.
“On the mound we are much younger as a staff but have some key returners that will have a major impact. Daniel Kreuzer, Zane Collins, Mitch Gremling, and Bear Bellomy will all be key pieces to leading our pitching staff.” – Coach Sogard
Kreuzer had a 3.35 ERA in 51 innings pitched with 24 strikeouts, while starting eight games. Collins made 12 starts last year with a 4.18 ERA in 66.2 innings pitched with 48 strikeouts. Gremling posted a 2.84 ERA in 31.2 innings pitched with 28 strikeouts.
Newcomers
“Freshman infielders Damon Dues, Justin McConnell, and Tyler Black could all have a significant impact in 2019. On the mound we have a number of young talented arms that we are excited to see compete. Bradley Brehmer, Riley Perlich, and Tristian Haught are all highly touted right-handed pitchers who will likely see significant innings as freshmen.” – Coach Sogard
Outlook for 2019
“Every year is a new team with new expectations, but I think we need to continue to improve our consistency on the mound. We lost a number of talented arms last year to the draft and graduation, but I believe we have some young arms that have the ability to give us more depth and consistency than years past. We have the talent and ability to compete at a national level if we show up every day and compete. I love all of our guys and we’re excited to see them.” – Coach Sogard
Youngstown State (2018 Record: 18-38, 10-19)
Youngstown State got off to a slow start going 2-16 in their first 18 games. They wound finishing fifth in the Horizon and won the play-in game for the conference tournament but went 0-2 there.
Returning Players
Blaze Glenn will return to lead the offense after hitting .325 last year with 11 home runs and 43 RBI. Drew Dickerson will also be back after hitting .280 in 2018. Lucas Nasonti will be back in the outfield after a solid freshman season hitting .264. Infielder Jeff Wehler also had an impressive freshman season hitting .241. Web Charles and Nick Caruso are expected to have bigger roles in the lineup this season as well.
Greg Dunham has a chance to be back in the weekend rotation after starting 12 games last season. Zach Lopatka made eight starts last year and is back. Collin Floyd posted a 4.41 ERA last year in 69 innings pitched with 82 strikeouts in 12 starts. Joel Hake had a 4.36 ERA last year in 33 innings pitched with 35 strikeouts and 4 saves. There are a handful of other pitchers coming back that they hope take a step forward in adding depth to the staff.
Newcomers
Position players: Phillip Glasser – Fr. IF, Marco DeFalco – Fr. OF/LHP, Trevor Wiersma – Sr. 1B, Brandon Matthews – Fr. IF/RHP, Cameron Murray – Jr. OF, Steven D’Eusanio – Fr. IF, and Travis Perry – Fr. IF/RHP.
Pitchers: Jon Snyder – R-Fr. RHP, Marco DeFalco – Fr. LHP/OF, Brett Souder – Fr. RHP, Brandon Matthews – Fr. RHP/IF, Cade Negley – So. RHP, and Travis Perry – Fr. RHP/IF.
Outlook for 2019
The coaching staff is hoping to improve on their situational hitting in 2019, while being smarter defensively. On the pitching side, they hope to do a better job of commanding the strike zone.
2019 All-Horizon Preseason Team
C: Tyler Bordner (Milwaukee)
1B: Zane Harris (Wright State)
2B: Trevor Schwecke (Milwaukee)
SS: Chase Sloan (Wright State)
3B: Seth Gray (Wright State)
OF: Blaze Glenn (Youngstown State)
OF: Will Haueter (Northern Kentucky)
OF: Peyton Burdick (Wright State)
DH: Griffin Doersching (Northern Kentucky)
SP: Collin Floyd (Youngstown State)
SP: Jared Reklaitis (Milwaukee)
SP: Daniel Kreuzer (Wright State)
SP: Zane Collins (Wright State)
SP: Jacob Key (UIC)
RP: George Swedie (Milwaukee)
RP: Joel Hake (Youngstown State)
RP: Alex Padilla (UIC)
Honorable Mention:
2B – Mario Camilletti (Oakland)
OF – JD Orr (Wright State)
OF – Devin Rybacki (Milwaukee)
OF – Colin Kreiter (Milwaukee)
OF – Scott Ota (UIC)
OF – Dom Smith (UIC)
Predicted Order to Finish:
1. Wright State
2. UIC
3. Milwaukee
4. Oakland
5. Northern Kentucky
6. Youngstown State
