Bradley (2018 Record: 32-19, 11-10)
It was a very good year for Bradley in 2018 finishing third in the MVC and advancing to the semi-finals of the MVC Tournament.
Returning Players
Third baseman Brendan Dougherty is back after hitting .323 a year ago with 43 runs scored, 2 home runs, and 34 RBI. Center fielder Andy Shadid led the team in hitting last year with a .326 average to go along with 36 runs scored, 6 home runs, and 30 RBI. Shortstop Luke Shadid was right behind him with a .325 average, 32 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. Catcher Keaton Rice hit .316 in 2018. Outfielder Eli Rawlinson hit 6 home runs in 2018 in limited playing time.
Cole Cook will be back to lead the weekend rotation after posting a 4.88 ERA last year over 75.2 innings pitched with 52 strikeouts. Brooks Gosswein could slot into the rotation after posting a 3.41 ERA in 34.1 innings pitched with 24 strikeouts in 2018. Brian Schrimmer had a 1.33 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched last yaer with 31 strikeouts and 2 saves.
Newcomers
Freshman Connor Manthey will hope to earn some playing time at first base, while fellow freshman Connor O’Brien will compete for at-bats in the outfield and at DH.
A couple of transfers will look to add some depth to the pitching staff in Theo Denlinger and DJ DePiero.
2019 Outlook
The team hopes to improve in every facet of the game with several returners coming back from a successful 2018 campaign.
Dallas Baptist (2018 Record: 42-21, 16-5)
DBU continues its run off excellence with another 40-win season and a trip to the postseason as an at-large bid.
Returning Players
Shortstop Jimmy Glowenke returns after a fabulous freshman season in which he hit .336 with 51 runs scored, 16 doubles, 10 home runs, and 50 RBI. Luke Bandy will need to step up in the lineup after hitting .255 a season ago with 35 runs scored and 15 stolen bases. Second baseman Blayne Jones will likely take on a bigger role in the offense as well.
MD Johnson is back for his senior season after leading the team in innings pitched last year with 77 to go along with 76 strikeouts. Luke Eldred will likely join him in the weekend rotation after posting a 3.28 ERA in 2018 and a WHIP of just 0.91 in 57.2 innings pitched with 43 strikeouts. They return three key arms to their bullpen in MacGregor Hines, Jarod Bayless, and Kragen Kechely. MacGregor had a 3.88 ERA in 51 innings pitched with 65 strikeouts and 6 saves last year, while Bayless had a 3.12 ERA in 52 innings with 71 strikeouts and 4 saves. Kechely had a 3.76 ERA in 52.2 innings with 53 strikeouts in 2018.
Outlook for 2019
Even though they return arguably their best hitter from 2018, pretty much everyone else from the lineup is gone. However, five of their top six arms last season are back in what should be a really strong pitching staff.
Evansville (2018 Record: 12-39, 3-18)
It was not a great 2018 season for Evansville as they won just three conference games and then went 0-2 in the MVC Tournament.
Returning Players
Outfielder Troy Beilsmith led the team with a .335 average last season to go along with 42 runs scored, 18 doubles, 7 home runs, 28 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. Kenton Crews was second on the team last year with a .310 average and will join Beilsmith in the outfield. Tanner Craig hit .289 a season ago with 6 home runs and will likely play a corner infield position.
Adam Lukas started five games last year and had an ERA of 4.32 in 41.2 innings pitched with 43 strikeouts. Nathan Croner struck out 34 batters in 28 innings last year and will be counted on in the pitching staff a lot this season.
Newcomers
Here are some newcomers who could make an immediate impact: Danny Borgstrom (INF – FR), AJ Fritz (OF/RHP – FR), Shane Gray (RHP – FR), Eric Roberts (INF – FR), and Jake Vesecky (C – FR).
Outlook for 2019
Head coach Wes Carroll said he hopes his team improves on walks allowed, ERA, and fielding percentage in 2019.
Illinois State (2018 Record: 22-30, 9-12)
Illinois State had some big wins to start the 2018 season over eventual NCAA Tournament teams Morehead State and Washington. But things never got going in conference play as they went 0-2 in the MVC Tournament.
Returning Players
Outfielder John Rave will be back after hitting .347 last year with 48 runs scored, 19 doubles, 8 home runs, and 49 RBI. Third baseman Joe Aeilts hit .268 a year ago with 4 home runs and 33 RBI.
Brent Headrick will be back to lead the weekend rotation after posting a 6.40 ERA in 2018 over 71.2 innings pitched with 59 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Transfers Aidan Huggins and Brett Wicklund will come in and make an immediate impact on this team, as will freshman Gunner Peterson.
Outlook for 2019
The new coaching staff hopes to get more effort out of the team in 2019, and specifically they hope to get improved play from the pitching staff.
Indiana State (2018 Record: 31-24, 11-10)
Indiana State had a decent 2018 season with some big wins. They made it to the third day of the MVC Tournament but ultimately couldn’t get past top-seeded Missouri State.
Returning Players
Indiana State returns nine players from a season ago with starting experience. Clay Dungan (SS) and Jarrod Watkins (2B) will provide solid defense up the middle. Dungan hit .283 a season ago with 43 runs scored, 14 doubles, 34 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. Watkins hit .305 with 35 runs scored and 12 doubles. The outfield remains intact with CJ Huntley (LF), Luke Fegen (CF), and Roberto Enriquez (RF). Huntley hit .293 in 2018 with 37 runs scored, 13 doubles, 3 home runs, and 33 RBI, while Fegen hit .298 with 36 runs scored and 32 RBI. Enriques was third on the team with a .408 on-base percentage. Third baseman Jake Means also returns after hitting .265 last season with 39 runs scored, 11 home runs, and 33 RBI. He also an excellent defender.
Indiana State returns its entire starting rotation from last season. That group will be led by Triston Polley who posted a 3.53 ERA in 2018 over 94.1 innings pitched with 55 strikeouts. Tyler Ward had a 3.66 ERA in 64 innings with 55 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Joe Boyle is a North Florida transfer who we expect to play first base for us this season. He sat out last season due to redshirt rules. He hit for power in just 19 games at UNF and we expect the same here.
RHP Ross Kramer could be a player that could see the field a lot in his first season here in Terre Haute. He was a two-way player at Kirkwood CC. He went 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in four games on the mound and saw the field in 48 games as a hitter where he batted .291 with 41 hits, including four homers and five doubles.
- Notes provided by Indiana State Athletics Department
Outlook for 2019
The team hopes to put up more runs with two outs this year, ultimately capitalizing on when they get runners on base.
Missouri State (2018 Record: 40-17, 18-3)
It was another great season for Missouri State as they won 40 games, finished first in the conference, and then won the MVC Tournament.
Returning Players
Drew Millas returns to the middle of the order after leading the team with a .321 average last season to go along with 36 run scored, 13 doubles, 7 home runs, and 61 RBI. First baseman Ben Whetstone is back as well after hitting .278 last year with 9 home runs and 39 RBI. Outfielder Jack Duffy hit .271 in 2018 with 30 runs scored, 3 home runs, and 30 RBI.
Logan Wiley will likely be in the weekend rotation after posting a 4.13 ERA in 2018 over 85 innings pitched with 68 strikeouts. Ty Buckner made 15 starts as a freshman last year with an ERA of 4.81 in 76.2 innings pitched with 60 strikeouts. Connor Sechler could return as the team’s closer after posting a 2.98 ERA a season ago with 8 saves and 59 strikeouts in 54.1 innings pitched. Jake Lochner and Nate Witherspoon return to the bullpen as well.
Outlook for 2019
They take some big losses with Jeremy Eierman (70th overall in 2018 MLB Draft) and Hunter Steinmetz (11th round) gone from the lineup. But they still have plenty of thump coming back on offense. Dylan Coleman (4th round) will be a big loss to the pitching staff, but he’s really the only key arm they lose from 2018. I expect Missouri State to be a top team in the country once again.
Southern Illinois (2018 Record: 28-30, 10-11)
It was a solid 2018 season for SIU as they finished just under .500 in conference play. They won one game in the MVC Tournament but couldn’t’ get past Indiana State.
Returning Players
Third baseman Alex Lyon hit .316 last year with 31 runs scored, 5 home runs, 40 RBI, and 29 stolen bases. Nikola Vasic hit .276 in 2018 with 49 runs scored, 3 home runs, 29 RBI, and 21 stolen bases.
Brad Harrison will likely lead the weekend rotation after posting a 4.25 ERA in 2018 over 82.2 innings pitched with 75 strikeouts. Justin Yeager should be a solid bullpen arm after posting a 3.16 ERA last year in 11.1 innings with 16 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Will LaRue is a graduate transfer from Xavier who will make an immediate impact in the outfield. Catcher Colin Butkiewicz, infielder Ian Walters, and DH Philip Archer are also newcomers who are expected to have an impact on the lineup.
Blake Begner has a chance to come in and earn some big innings on the weekend.
Outlook for 2019
SIU hopes to stay healthy in 2019 as they are a little thing in the pitching staff this year. They have a couple of guys coming back from surgery who could give the team a boost. They need some guys to step up in the middle of the pitching staff. Offensively, they plan to use their speed to score runs.
Valparaiso (2018 Record: 19-34, 6-15)
Valpo finished seventh in the conference last season with just six wins. They upset Dallas Baptist in the first round of the MVC Tournament but dropped the next two games.
Returning Players
Second baseman Chase Dawson hit .265 last year with 42 runs scored, 10 doubles, 5 triples, 3 home runs, 28 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. Shortstop Sam Shaikin hit .288 a season ago with 54 runs scored, 12 doubles, 9 home runs, and 42 RBI. Outfielder Blake Billinger returns to the middle of the order after hitting .323 last season with 40 runs scored, 23 doubles, 7 home runs, and 46 RBI.
Jon Tieman is back after making 15 starts last season with an ERA of 5.11 in 98.2 innings pitched with 56 strikeouts. Jarrett Hammel was solid out of the bullpen with a 3.20 ERA in 39.1 innings pitched with 18 strikeouts.
Outlook for 2019
If Valparaiso can get any kind of solid pitching in 2019 they have the offense to be a contender in the MVC. With two of their top three pitchers coming back from 2018, that’s a possibility.
2019 All-MVC Preseason Team
C: Drew Millas (Missouri State)
1B: Ben Whetstone (Missouri State)
2B: Chase Dawson (Valparaiso)
SS: Jimmy Glowenke (DBU)
3B: Alex Lyon (SIU)
OF: John Rave (Illinois State)
OF: Andy Shadid (Bradley)
OF: Troy Beilsmith (Evansville)
DH: Blake Billinger (Valparaiso)
SP: Tyler Ward (Indiana State)
SP: Logan Wiley (Missouri State)
SP: Triston Polley (Indiana State)
SP: Brad Harrison (SIU)
SP: Luke Eldred (DBU)
RP: Connor Sechler (Missouri State)
RP: Brooks Gosswein (Bradley)
RP: Jarod Bayless (DBU)
Honorable Mention:
SS – Luke Shadid (Bradley)
SS – Sam Shaikin (Valparaiso)
3B – Brendan Dougherty (Bradley)
SP – Ty Buckner (Missouri State)
RP – Justin Yeager (SIU)
Predicted Order to Finish:
1. Missouri State
2. Dallas Baptist
3. Bradley
4. Indiana State
5. Valparaiso
6. Southern Illinois
7. Evansville
8. Illinois State
