Speed, defense, pitching ECC strengths
The Elgin Community College baseball program hopes to return to its World Series ways this spring.
The Spartans qualified for five straight NJCAA Division II World Series from 2004 to 2008, but ECC has bowed out in the Region IV championship series each of the past two seasons.
Armed with a dependable pitching staff, five returning position players and the most team speed coach Bill Angelo has enjoyed in his 14 seasons, the Spartans hope to return to World Series competition in Enid, Okla.
“I think we’ll certainly be in the hunt,” said Angelo, whose teams have played for the Region IV title each of the last eight seasons. “There’s a pile of teams out there, so we’ll have our work cut out for us. Our region has gotten a lot stronger over the past couple of years.
“But I think we’ve got a good shot. I think we’re going to be able to do some things offensively from a running standpoint that will help us win ballgames. Pitching and defense make for a good team. Hopefully, this year we get back on top with that combination.”
Returning to the lineup as sophomores are outfielder Tom Roth (Elgin), shortstop Thomas Wilson (Woodstock), outfielder/first baseman Alex Van Ness (Bartlett), second baseman George Tintera (Bartlett) and third baseman Steve Cocat (Glenbard North).
Roth is the team’s leading returning hitter. Last season he batted .407 (70-for-172) with 13 doubles, 6 home runs, 2 triples, 52 runs scored and 37 RBI. He also stole 12 bases in 15 attempts. Wilson hit .316 (48-for-152) with 6 doubles, 2 home runs, 3 triples and 26 RBI.
Roth and Wilson combined to steal 37 bases in 47 tries. Expect the running trend to not only continue but expand.
“This is probably the fastest team I’ve ever had,” Angelo said. “I think we’re going to be able to do some things offensively from a running standpoint that will help us win ballgames.”
Larkin graduate Luc Geier returns to anchor the pitching rotation. As a freshman he went 5-4 with a 5.35 ERA. Geier struck out 67 and walked 23 in 74 innings pitched.
Next in the rotation is St. Charles East graduate Andy Grunewald, who last year finished 7-2 with a 3.23 ERA, 48 strikeouts and 14 walks in 47 innings.
Adding to the depth of the rotation is Huntley graduate Zach Liebman, who transferred from Judson University this spring. Against NAIA competition as a freshman, Liebman finished 6-2 with a 5.32 ERA.
Bartlett alumni Van Ness and Kyle King round out the rotation nicely. Van Ness last season went 6-0 with a 2.14 ERA, 26 strikeouts and 10 walks in 42 innings. King transfers in from Creighton, where he made 3 relief appearances as a freshman.
“I like our guys,” Angelo said. “We should be able to pitch well. We don’t really have a flamethrower type of guy, but we have some guys who know how to win, can pound the strike zone and throw three pitches for strikes. We think we have a pretty good group.”
The Spartans are 1-0 heading into games today against Mercer County Community College and Lackawanna College in Myrtle Beach, S.C.