The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) baseball team is ready to follow up its historic 2018 season as they open the season with a weekend series against Saginaw Valley State University.
 
UIS put together a season to be remembered after going 47-9 and with a 23-1 record in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play, setting school records in wins and conference wins. The Prairie Stars secured its first-ever GLVC East Division title and received their first-ever bid to the NCAA Tournament. UIS peaked at No. 4 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association (NCBWA) NCAA Division II poll, No. 5 in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper (CBN) NCAA Division II poll and No. 2 in the Perfect Game NCAA Division II poll. The Prairie Stars compiled a record-setting 29-game winning streak. At UIS Baseball Field, the Prairie Stars finished the season with a 24-1 record with their only loss coming in extra innings on March 10.  The Prairie Stars topped the NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings to earn the right to host last year's NCAA Midwest Regional.
 
UIS racked up postseason accolades in record numbers. The Prairie Stars totaled with 12 GLVC All-East Division selections, including seven first-team selections in Nick Stokowski, Michael Rothmund, Cole Taylor, Jack Schaaf, Andrew Dean, Justin Revels and Cameron Zunkel. Rothmund was a unanimous first-team recipient. UIS turned in a record-setting five all-region selections with Dean, Revels, Rothmund, Stokowski and Cole Taylor being named consensus all-region recipients. The five were all selected to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Midwest Region First Team. Stokowski followed up by being recognized as a consensus first-team all-American. Cole Taylor was tabbed a consensus all-American and Rothmund was named an ABCA third-team All-American. Head Coach Chris Ramirez earned the program's first major GLVC postseason award after receiving the GLVC Coach of the Year. He followed up by being tabbed the NCBWA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year.
 
Last season, UIS established itself as one of the nation's top offenses after leading the country in home runs per game (1.86), slugging percentage (.581) and runs per game (9.4). The Prairie Stars also ranked second in on-base percentage (.433), seventh in doubles per game (2.36) and ninth in batting average (.327) among NCAA Division II leaders. UIS also built one of nation's top pitching staffs. Among NCAA Division II leaders, UIS ranked first in hits allowed per nine innings (6.80), sixth in ERA (3.16), sixth in WHIP (1.24) and 10th in strikeouts per nine innings (10.0). UIS led the conference in six major offensive categories and four major pitching categories.
 
The Prairie Stars are aiming to remain as a threat on the conference, regional and national levels while using their experience to take care of business one game at a time.
 
"This year is no different than any other year," said Ramirez, who enters his sixth season as head coach of the Prairie Stars. "We have always entered each game with the expectation to do whatever it takes to win that game and then we move on to the next. If we go about our business each day and play clean baseball, we will be in a good spot at the end of the season. Where our program has grown is now, we have guys in our program that have been nationally-ranked, won a conference championship, have hosted an NCAA Regional and have had a World Series within reach and they expect and know what it takes to win at that level."
 
GLVC OUTLOOK
During the 2018 season, UIS, Bellarmine University, Quincy University and the University of Southern Indiana each qualified for the NCAA Midwest Regional. Drury University remained in the top eight of the Midwest Region rankings up until the final week, but an 0-2 performance in the GLVC Tournament allowed Southern Indiana to swipe the final at-large bid. After a flurry of upsets in the GLVC Tournament, Quincy secured the conference tournament title. Southern Indiana advanced to the NCAA Division II World Series after putting together a 4-0 performance in the regional tournament. UIS collected wins against Hillsdale College and Quincy at regionals before falling to Southern Indiana and Ohio Dominican University.
 
Despite a switch to a single-division format, UIS still received its highest ranking in the GLVC preseason poll after being picked to finish second. Prior to this season, the Prairie Stars were never selected to finish higher than third in their division.
 
Bellarmine was selected as the favorite to win the conference championship with 156 points and six first-place votes. UIS received 150 points, including two first-place votes. Close behind in the third and fourth spots are Quincy and Southern Indiana, respectively. Quincy collected 147 points and two first-place votes while Southern Indiana earned 146 points and the final four first-place votes. Drury secured fifth, totaling 122 points. The University of Indianapolis came in sixth with 106 points, finishing ahead of Missouri S&T (92), Maryville University (81), Lewis University (72), William Jewell College (57), the University of Missouri-St. Louis (53), Rockhurst University (39), McKendree University (29) and Truman State University (24), which rounds out the GLVC preseason poll.
 
PRESEASON NOTORIETY
On the NCBWA Preseason All-Midwest Region team, Dean, Revels and Sechen each received first-team honors while Zunkel picked up second-team recognition. Revels was then tabbed an NCBWA preseason second-team all-American while Dean received NCBWA preseason all-American Honorable Mention.
 
UIS is ranked No. 15 in the NCBWA NCAA Division II preseason poll, No. 17 in the CBN NCAA Division II preseason poll and No. 22 in the Perfect Game NCAA Division II preseason poll. The Prairie Stars also picked up a No. 2 ranking in the NCBWA NCAA Division II Midwest Region poll.
 
TEAM STRENGTHS
After putting together one of the nation's top pitching staffs, UIS returns 94.6 percent of its games started, 87.2 percent of its wins, 90.0 percent of its innings pitched and 88.2 percent of its strikeouts from last season.
 
"We should have one of, if not the most experience pitching staff in all of NCAA baseball heading into the season returning (about) 420 of 480 innings pitched from last season's very successful staff."
 
The Prairie Stars bring back their two-catcher tandem of Sechen and Ben Schanding, both of whom picked up second-team all-conference honors last season. Sechen was also tabbed a Prospect League East Division All-Star over the summer.
 
"We also return two all-conference catchers in John Sechen and Ben Schanding for their senior season. I am a firm believer that the catching position is the most important position on the field and to have two experienced leaders back at that spot is definitely a strength for us."
 
STARS LOST
UIS graduated Stokowski, Cole Taylor, Rothmund, Jack Schaaf, Myles Hann, Ethan Howard and Sam Geraci, among others last season.
 
Stokowski racked up national rankings, finishing fourth in slugging percentage (.815), T-5 in home runs (23), eighth in total bases (159), 10th in homers per game (0.41), 10th in RBIs per game (1.34) and 21st in on-base percentage (.5020). The Monticello native led the conference in slugging percentage and batting average (.3949). Stokowski holds the school record for single-season slugging percentage.
 
Cole Taylor was named a second-team All-American by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) and the ABCA while receiving NCBWA third-team all-American honors. He was also tabbed an ABCA third-team all-American in 2017. Cole Taylor ranked 13th in the nation with 0.43 doubles per game and tied for 15th in the nation with 149 total bases. In his two-year career at UIS, Cole Taylor put together school records in career batting average (.373), career slugging percentage (.689), career on-base percentage (.447) (excluding active players), career doubles (49), career stolen bases (25), single-season batting average (.3953), single-season hits (85) and single-season doubles (25), while holding a tie with Rothmund in single-season runs (67). Cole Taylor was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim franchise last June.
 
After the leading the nation with 24 homers as a junior, Rothmund matched his 24 homers during his senior year to tie for second in the nation. Among NCAA Division II leaders, Rothmund ranked third in total bases (171), fourth in RBIs per game (1.48), seventh in slugging percentage (.803) and eighth in homers per game (0.43). Rothmund led the conference in homers per game, RBIs per game and total bases. In his four years at UIS, Rothmund set school records in career hits (194), career at-bats (593), career runs (148), career homers (53), career RBIs (175), career triples (7), career total bases (408), single-season homers (24), single-season RBIs (83) and single-season total bases (171).
 
Schaaf led the GLVC and ranked 13th in the nation with 1.25 runs per game. The Springboro, Ohio native provided a .344 batting average and a .469 on-base percentage. Schaaf broke the single-season school records in stolen bases (24) and walks (38).
 
Hann, a second-team all-conference recipient in 2017 and 2018, contributed a .258 batting average in 194 at bats for the Prairie Stars last season.
 
Howard, a second-team all-conference recipient in 2017, closed out his career with a .221 career opponent batting average, which is a school record (excluding active pitchers).
 
Geraci played a key role last season, coming in relief during tight situations. In 22 and two-thirds innings, Geraci struck out 36 batters while allowing just a .182 opponent batting average and a 2.78 ERA.
 
UIS still expects to put together a strong lineup despite returning just 27.1 percent of its starts on offense.
 
"Though we lost a lot of hitters off last year's team, we feel like our athleticism and versatility will be a strength offensively and especially on the defensive side of the field."
 
STARS RETURNING
Last season, Revels earned first-team ABCA all-region honors while receiving second-team all-region recognition with the NCBWA and the D2CCA. Revels found his way into the national stat leaders after finishing 11th in strikeouts per nine innings (12.90), 18th in WHIP (1.02) and 19th in hits allowed per nine innings (6.33). Revels turned in a 8-1 record with a .196 opponent batting average and a 2.99 ERA. The senior right-handed pitcher from Peoria, Ariz. led the conference last season in strikeouts per nine inning and WHIP. Revels currently holds the single-season school record with 108 strikeouts.
 
Last year, Dean received first-team all-region honors with the D2CCA and the ABCA while earning second-team all-region recognition with the NCBWA. Dean compiled a 10-1 record last season while recording a .207 opponent batting average, a 2.91 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. The senior left-handed pitcher from Alvin, Texas led the conference and tied for 14th in the nation with 10 wins. Dean was also ranked 28th in the nation with 6.66 hits allowed per nine innings. He took down the single-season school record in wins.
 
"Starting pitching is always one of the toughest roles to solidify each season and we have a handful of guys with experience in that role. Justin Revels and Andrew Dean are both preseason all-Americans coming off huge seasons last year as juniors."
 
Jensen collected second-team all-conference accolades last season and put together a 4-1 record.
 
"Brayden Jensen has been in our starting rotation since his freshman season and returns for his junior season."
 
Gunnar Kay went 3-0 last season. In 32 and one-third innings, he contributed a 1.95 ERA and a .203 opponent batting average.
 
"Gunnar Kay is a senior that has been a starting pitcher for the past two seasons and looks as good as ever entering the season."
 
Limited to just four innings last season due to injury, Brock Immke looks to be a major contributor to the UIS pitching staff in 2019.
 
"Brock Immke was coming off of an injury last season and is now healthy and has arguably been our best guy since the fall."
 
R.D. Lutze provided a .194 opponent batting average and a 2.45 ERA in 2018. The junior right-handed pitcher from Lisbon fanned 41 batters in 29 and one-third innings.
 
"R.D. Lutze will be a leader for us at the back of the bullpen coming off two good freshman and sophomore campaigns plus a dominant summer in the Coastal Plains League."
 
Nick Alvarado contributed a 2-1 record and a 4.32 ERA. The junior from Grain Valley, Mo. struck out 19 batters in 16 and two-thirds innings, while holding opponents to just a .150 batting average.
 
"Nick Alvarado transferred from Illinois State last January, has big time stuff and has continued to make strides and get better each month he has been with us and will be counted on entering the season."
 
Zunkel collected first-team all-conference honors last season after putting together a 2-2 record with seven saves a 4.03 ERA. The junior right-handed pitcher from Lombard tied for 36th in the nation in saves. Zunkel fanned 32 batters in 31 and one-third innings, while turning in a 1.03 WHIP and a school-record .187 batting average (minimum 50 innings pitched).
 
Colton Hale received second-team all-conference recognition after finishing the season with an 8-1 record, a 3.24 ERA and one save. Alec Altmyer went 2-0 with a 2.22 ERA. Trent Sidwell fanned seven batters in six and one-third innings while Mason Coon punched out nine batters in five scoreless innings.
 
"Altmyer, Zunkel, Hale, Coon and Sidwell are all guys that we are excited to have back from last year's pitching staff."
 
Sechen contributed 10 doubles, three triples, six homers and 36 RBIs last year along with a .363 batting average, a .5024 on-base percentage and a .575 slugging percentage. The Ashland, Wis. native ranked 19th in on-base percentage and 48th in walks per game (0.77) among NCAA Division II leaders. Sechen also broke the school on-base percentage.
 
Schanding went 27-for-77 to deliver a .353 batting average, a .495 on-base percentage and 18 RBIs.
 
Zach Speaker finished 34-for-84 with 10 doubles, six homers and 18 RBIs. The senior outfielder from Frankfort provided a .405 batting average, a .458 on-base percentage and a .762 slugging percentage.
 
"Zach Speaker is returning off a big season in the outfield. He is a leader and has done a great job physically in the weight room and should be one of most imposing left-handed bats in the region."
 
Chris Mathieu went 20-for-76 with a .263 batting average and a .395 on-base percentage for the Prairie Stars last season.
 
"Chris Mathieu enters his junior season and fourth year in our program. He has seen his role grow each of those years and has had good fall and offseason."
 
Zach Abfall returns for the Prairie Stars after competing in 40 games last season.
 
"Zach Afball is a left-handed outfielder that played in 40 games last season and is one of the fastest and best defenders in the league."
 
Sophomores Chris Monroe and Nick Mayerhofer return after backing up Rothmund and Cole Taylor, respectively. Monroe cranked five homers in 36 at bats for the Prairie Stars.
 
"Chris Monroe and Nick Mayerhofer are the two freshman position players that got the most experience on last year's team while playing behind future all-Americans. Both look to solidify themselves as everyday players and impact guys in the GLVC."
 
Kenny Brokop and Ryan Deering also look to make contributions for UIS this season.
 
STARS ON THE RISE
After redshirting last season, Austin Alderman and Brennan Brogni look to make an immediate impact this season. As a senior at Springfield High School, Alderman hit .408 and drove in 35 runs. Brogni contributed a .391 batting average during his senior year at Flagstaff High School in Flagstaff, Ariz., while also stealing 23 bases.
 
"Austin Alderman as times has looked like out best offensive player and Brennan Brogni is as fast of a player in the league and will be in the mix on the infield."
 
Ruben Markham joins the Prairie Stars after transferring from Los Angeles Harbor College. He turned in a .344 batting average with 10 doubles as a sophomore.
 
"Ruben Markham looks to be a aggressive, offensive second baseman as he comes to us after a very good sophomore season at LA Harbor in the California Community College Athletic Conference."
 
Nick Wisz came to UIS after transferring from Parkland College. He smashed five homers and provided 30 RBIs, while leading Parkland to a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II World Series runner-up finish.
 
"Nick Wisz has done a very good job at third base and is a physical offensive player that transferred in from Parkland College."
 
Joe Dittmar arrived to UIS in January after playing most recently at NCAA Division I's Wichita State University.
 
"Joe Dittmar is new to the program this January as he transferred in from Wichita State. He has a big arm and looks to be at full health for the first time in two seasons."
 
Ryan Fish joins the Prairie Stars after putting together a .403 on-base percentage in 58 at bats with NCAA Division I's University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley last season. Dylan Gilbert comes to UIS after spending his sophomore season at NCAA Division I's University of Illinois Chicago. With the graduation of Schaaf, both Fish and Gilbert will be in the mix for the starting centerfield job.
 
"Ryan Fish and Dylan Gilbert are both D1 transfer outfielders that joined our program in the fall and have had a healthy competition for the starting centerfield position."
 
Following Sechen and Schanding is another pair of catchers in Brandon Bannon and Nick Zeeveld. Bannon competed with Richmond-Burton High School in Richmond for four years. He was a two-time all-Kishwaukee River Conference recipient and was named the Kishwaukee River Conference Player of the year as a senior. During his senior year, Bannon provided a .374 batting average and 41 runs.
 
Zeeveld spent four years with Indian Trail High School in Kenosha, Wis. He collected all-Southeastern Conference honors as a senior, while delivering a .403 batting average and 23 RBIs.
 
"We have two freshman catchers in Brandon Bannon and Nick Zeeveld that have us excited about the future. Both can also play other positions and look to find a way to make an impact early."
 
Brendan Anderson and Colton Thompson both transferred into UIS from junior colleges to join the Prairie Star pitching staff. Anderson spent two seasons with Mineral Area Community College, where he went 3-2 with 2.70 ERA as a freshman. He struck out 25 batters in 23 and one-third innings during his freshman season.
 
Thompson went 4-1 with a 2.44 ERA and two saves as a sophomore at Parkland College. The Broken Arrow, Okla. native punched out 57 batters in 48 innings while leading Parkland to an NJCAA Division II national runner-up finish. As a freshman at Northern Oklahoma College-Enid, Thompson finished 8-5 and was selected to the NJCAA Division II All-Tournament Team.
 
"Brendan Anderson and Colton Thompson are both junior college transfers that we expect to settle into roles as the season plays out and impact our pitching staff."
 
UIS brings in a plethora of freshman pitchers to an already deep pitching staff. These pitchers include Rece Finck, A.J. Golembiewski, Tyler Horvath, Ryan Jemar, Matt Johnston, Seth Masters and Chris Parsons.
 
Finck competed with Olympia High School in Stanford for four years and was a two-time all-Corn Belt Conference recipient. He provided a 1.21 WHIP while striking out 52 batters in 45 innings as a senior.
 
In addition to excelling in football and basketball at Marian Catholic High School in Woodstock, Golembiewski competed as a two-way player with the Hurricanes for four years. Golembiewski went 3-3 with a 3.50 ERA, while punching out 54 batters in 42 innings as a senior. On offense, he contributed a .386 batting average while swiping 12 bases as a senior.
 
Horvath competed with Romeoville High School for four years. As a junior, Horvath compiled a 2.35 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while striking out 63 batters in 48 innings. Horvath was named to the All-Southwest Prairie Conference Team as a junior.
 
Jemar was a two-time all-Southwest Suburban Conference recipient in his four years with Bradley-Bourbonnais High School in Bourbonnais. As a senior, Jemar delivered a 1.50 ERA while fanning 64 batters in 46 innings.
 
Parsons spent four seasons with Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas. He was tabbed a Perfect Game All-American as a junior. During his senior year, Parsons put together a 5-2 record with a 2.10 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. Parsons recorded 64 strikeouts in 52 innings.
 
Johnston competed with Maine West High School in Des Plaines for four years. He posted a 3.70 ERA as a junior. Masters spent four seasons with Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park.
 
"We really like our crop of freshman pitchers right now and feel we have multiple guys that are ready to factor in to our plans this season. This group features left-handed pitchers Tyler Horvath and Seth Masters as well as right-handed pitchers A.J. Golembiewski, Ryan Jemar, Rece Finck, Matt Johnston and Chris Parsons."
 
Rounding out the roster for the Prairie Stars include Noah Crowe, Anthony Deconcilis, Eddie Wilkins, Connor Taylor, Dashon Moore, Cody Pazik and Joe LaCivita.
 
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS
UIS faces off with Saginaw Valley State in a weekend series in Emerson, Ga. to open the season. The two teams are scheduled for a 10:30 a.m. CT doubleheader on Friday followed by a single game on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.
 
The Cardinals went 20-28 last season and are projected to finish sixth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) this season. Saginaw Valley State returns 52.6 percent of its at-bats and 62.7 percent of its innings pitched.
 
Jordan Swiss returns for the Cardinals after going 66-for-173 to provide a .382 batting average. He notched 12 doubles and 16 stolen bases, while compiling a .455 on-base percentage and a .514 slugging percentage.
 
Derrek Clyde contributed a .324 batting average and a .432 on-base percentage. Collin Winters turned in a .291 batting average and stole 17 bases. Todd Paperd finished with a .306 batting average and 12 stolen bases.
 
Saginaw Valley State enters its first season with Steve Jaska as head coach.
 
"It is opening weekend for both our programs. I expect they will be fired up and ready to play. They return a few of their top hitters and pitchers from last year's team and have a new head coach that I am sure has energized their program."
 
LOOKING AHEAD
UIS kicks off its home season with a pair of 12 p.m. doubleheaders against Purdue University Northwest at UIS Baseball Field, scheduled for Feb. 23 and Feb. 24.
 
The GLVC changed its scheduling format to a single-division format. In the previous two-division format, cross-division matchups were not part of the regular conference schedule. Last season, the Prairie Stars did not face GLVC West Division Champion Drury and GLVC Tournament Champion Quincy in regular-season play. In the new format, GLVC school will face all but two opponents as part of the regular conference schedule.
 
"I would say that I am intrigued by the new GLVC schedule format. We for the first time we are going away from divisions and will now play all but two teams in the league. So, it will be fun to get to see some of those teams from the West in actual GLVC play this year."
 
Key series for UIS include hosting Southern Indiana, ranked No. 24 in the preseason NCBWA poll, in a three-game series on April 19-20. To cap off the season, UIS challenges GLVC preseason favorite Bellarmine, tied for 10th in the NCBWA preseason poll, in a three-game series on May 3-4 in Louisville, Ky.
 
"Like always, we will need to play hard, play fast and play for each other. We will need to play clean baseball and find ways to win the tough games."