SPRINGFIELD, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) was selected to finish third in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) East Division in the GLVC preseason coaches poll.
 
SETTING THE SCENE
The Prairie Stars are scheduled for three games in Joplin, MO. UIS clashes with Maryville (1-1) at 10 a.m. UIS challenges the host school, Missouri Southern State (3-2), on Saturday at 1 p.m. and again on Sunday at 12 p.m.
 
EXPECTATIONS
UIS is expecting to become a perennial contender by taking games on one at a time.
 
"Just like every year we set a series of goals and attack each of them one at a time," UIS head coach Chris Ramirez. "I want our team to play hard, play fast and play for each other. Our mission is to compete with the top programs in DII Baseball. Every time we take the field we plan on winning."
 
The Prairie Stars an abundance of difference-makers and aim to use that as an asset throughout the season.
 
"Our strengths should be in our experience and depth," said Ramirez, who enters his fifth season as head coach of the Prairie Stars.
 
STARS OF NOTE
The Prairie Stars return Michael Rothmund and Cole Taylor, who were tabbed preseason all-Americans by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
 
Rothmund topped all NCAA Division II hitters with 24 home runs last season. The 6-foot-6 senior first baseman from Lombard, IL turned in 70 hits, a .343 batting average, a .426 on-base percentage and a .789 slugging percentage.
 
Taylor finished third among NCAA Division II leaders with 25 doubles. The senior shortstop from Fairmount, IL contributed a .395 batting average, a .461 on-base percentage and a .716 slugging percentage.
 
"In Rothmund and Taylor, we return two of the top players in the league. To be able to have an all-American at such a key position as shortstop back with Taylor is invaluable. Then, big Mike has to be one of the most feared hitters in the country back as the reigning DII leader in home runs."
 
UIS hurled a 4.85 ERA as team last year and returns over 73 percent of its innings.
 
"I don't think our pitching staff got enough credit last season. I'm as excited about our staff as I am our hitters entering the season. We return over 320 innings pitched off last year's team and we added some guys that will impact us on the mound as well."
 
Brayden Jensen returns after posting a 7-0 overall record and a 3.78 ERA.
 
"Jensen returns after leading our team in inning pitched as a true freshman. He has shown the ability to command the zone with 3 pitches already as a young but mature pitcher."
 
Ethan Howard and Cam Zunkel return from last year's rotation. Howard went 6-5 with a 3.15 ERA while Zunkel finished 3-3.
 
"Also returning is All-Conference starting pitcher and senor Leader Ethan Howard and sophomore Cam Zunkel, who ended the season in our starting rotation as a true freshman."
 
R.D. Lutze is returning after serving as the team's closer last year. The sophomore right-handed pitcher from Lisbon, IL went 3-1 with a 3.25 ERA and four saves.
 
"We also have high expectations for one of the most valuable roles on the team with R.D. Lutze back as a sophomore in the closer role."
 
Gunner Kay, Trent Sidwell, Sam Geraci, Brock Immke, Austen Kaspusinski, Austin Lukaschewski and Colby Carmichael will each contribute to the UIS pitching depth.
 
"Getting a handful of starts last season, Gunner Kay is coming off a very impressive fall and preseason on the mound. We have the ability to throw a lot of different looks at you in the bullpen with returning sidewinders Sidwell and Geraci, both make for uncomfortable at bats. I'm intrigued by Brock Immke, who was our number one pitcher last fall and is back healthy again heading into the season and seniors Kapusinski, Lukachewski and Carmichael will round out our staff."
 
Myles Hann turned in 10 doubles, a .364 batting average, a .433 on-base percentage and a .511 slugging percentage last season.
 
"Myles Hann is back coming off an all-conference season as another physical presence in our lineup at second base."
 
The Prairie Stars return both Ben Schanding and John Sechen to make up the UIS catching duo against this season.
 
"We are spoiled behind the plate with one of the best catching duo's around in Sechen and Schanding. Those two are gritty baseball players that complement each other well with one hitting from the right side of the plate and the other from the left."
 
Chris Mathieu, Kenny Hansen and Tyler Hilton are expecting to fill the void in the outfield this season.
 
"With us graduating our entire outfield we also will look for Mathieu, Hansen and Hilton to compete for those spots."
 
Currently, Troy Cantu, Drew Harper and Ryan Dufrene are each in battle for the third base position.
 
UIS brought in six players from NCAA Division I schools, which include Jack Schaaf from Florida International University, Nick Stokowski from Central Michigan University, Justin Revels from Grand Canyon University, Andrew Dean from Texas Southern University as well as Alec Altmeyer and Nick Alvardo, who both came in from Illinois State University.
 
"Schaaf should be one of the most athletic players in the league as a left handed hitting centerfielder. Stokowski has as much power as Rothmund but swings it from the left side of the plate. Revels is one of the best competitors in our program with a ton of natural life on all of his pitches. Dean has emerged as our top left-handed option on our pitching staff and will be a huge piece to our pitching staff. Altmyer and Alvarado make it tough for hitters to dig in with probably each having the best stuff in our program."
 
Looking to impact the UIS pitching staff as freshman include Colton Hale, Mason Coon, Carter Lawler and Kenny Brokop.
 
"Freshman pitchers Hale, Coon, Lawler and Brokop each have the stuff to help us win games this year and make for an exciting future for our program on the mound."
 
Zach Speaker, Zach Abfall, Justin Blasinski, Robert Archbold and Coon each aim to make an impact in the outfield.
 
"Junior college outfield transfers Speaker, Abfall and Blasinski along with freshman Archbold and Coon will each add a left handed hitting presence that our program has not had much of in the past."
 
Nick Mayerhofer and Brennan Brogni will be producing in the middle infield.
 
"On the infield freshman Mayerhofer and Brogni are fun to watch pick it up the middle and will be fun to watch as they move through our program."
 
Joe LaCivita and Chris Monroe will be joining Rothmund at first base.
 
"Working alongside Rothmund at first base will be transfer Lacivita and freshman Monroe. Both add physicality and presence to our lineup."
 
SEASON OPENER
During the weekend in Joplin, MO, UIS clashes with Maryville once and Missouri Southern State twice.
 
"We know that every game we play is as important as the next. I'm sure both Maryville and Missouri Southern State will be ready to play."
 
RIBBON CUTTING
UIS will be debuting its new turf field in a ribbon cutting on March 7 as the Prairie Stars tangle with Lindenwood University (5-2) at 2 p.m. Lindenwood is receiving votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCWBA) NCAA Division II preseason poll. The Lions were named to the NCAA Division II National Tournament last season.
 
"We are looking forward to the Ribbon Cutting Game for our new turf playing surface on Wednesday, March 7 versus Lindenwood."
 
LONG-TERM SUCCESS
The Prairie Stars expect to utilize consistent focus on the short term to create long-term success.
 
"We need to play clean baseball and out compete the team in the other dugout."