GRINNELL, Iowa. - The Midwest Conference has released their 2024 Preseason Coaches Poll for the sport of baseball. The Illinois College Blueboys received 27 points and look to exceed the expectations of their conference foes.
The Blueboys return 26 student-athletes from last years' squad while adding 18 freshmen and four transfers to the mix for the 2024 season. Leading the way for IC is starting Second-Team All-MWC catcher
Logan Schweigert as he looks to be the anchor behind the plate this season. Schweigert, who batted .341 also added 12 doubles and three home runs.
Other top returning leaders include first basemen
Jon Tate and outfielder Louie Bartlelli as these two student-athletes will be counted on to produce runs at the plate. Tate hit .309 with 27 runs batted in. Bartletti, who returns after missing the final three weeks of the season with a broken leg, hit .341 with 13 doubles, three home runs, and was a perfect 14-of-14 on stolen bases.
Other offensive contributors that will see additional playing time this year are infielder
Nolan Decker and outfielder
Ryne Mapes. Decker, who started the final three weeks of the 2023 season batting .433, including two home runs, four doubles, and 11 runs batted in as a freshman.
Mapes, who unfortunately got injured in the opening weekend and missed 23 games last season, returns for his junior campaign. In 60 at-bats, Mapes batted for an average of .267 that included 16 hits and drew 16 walks. Mapes also brings great speed on the base paths as he is a base-stealing threat.Â
Connor Hennemann enters his junior season coming off a sophomore season with 31 starts at shortstop where he recorded 12 double-plays. Hennemann, a defensive specialist, is also primed to make an offensive leap this year.
Notable returning outfielders looking to make an impact offensively this season include
Tyler Barker,
Jonathan Odom, and
Ryan Huskey. During the fall season and transitioning to the spring, Barker has put together really impressive performances. Odom and Huskey each bring unique skill sets that will help the team this season. Odom possesses great speed while Huskey provides the left-handed pop at the plate.Â
IC brings a great group of pitchers back who have innings under their belts from a year ago. Top returning impact pitchers include
Branson Shaw,
Andrew Wieneke,
Jack McGuire,
Jacob Smith,
Dylan Eaton,
Ben Jarboe,
Tory Wickman and Aidan Lougeay.
Shaw, who will be looked at to be the ace for the Blueboys enters his third season on the mound. Last season, Shaw struck out 41 batters on 45 innings pitched. Other pitchers in the rotation include Wieneke, McGuire, Smith, Eaton, and Lougeay. Out of the pen, Jarboe and Wickman will lead their fellow bullpen mates and both can handle closer duties. This group was part of a staff that struck out a school-record 323 batters last season.Â
Newcomers to watch for in the 2024 season include first-year pitchers in
Charlie Lardi,
Anthony Buonaura,
Connor Akstulewicz,
Jake Holder, and utility player
Parker Phillis. Two transfers in
Chris Campau (McKendree University) and
Tyler Allen (Frederick Community College) look to add depth to the rotation. Â
Another newcomer to watch for on the diamond this season is second baseman
Adam Passmore. Passmore, a transfer from Lincoln Land Community College will bring a ton of experience against great competition both at the plate and in the field.Â
Head Coach
Jacob Waddle enters his sixth season at the helm. "The expectations within our program are extremely high. We have a great group of guys who are motivated to prove what we're capable of" said Waddle.
The Blueboys will open the 2024 season hosting Loras College, who made a run into the NCAA Regionals a year ago. That game is part of a packed weekend with first pitch on Saturday, February 24 at 10:30AM at Joe Brooks Field.Â
The full 2024 MWC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll is below:
2024 Midwest Conference Baseball Preseason Coaches PollÂ
1. Beloit College (6) – 62 pointsÂ
2. Ripon College (1) – 50 pointsÂ
3. University of Chicago – 44 pointsÂ
4. Lawrence University (1) – 43 pointsÂ
5. Grinnell College (1) – 42 pointsÂ
6. Cornell College – 29 pointsÂ
7. Illinois College – 27 pointsÂ
8. Monmouth College – 19 pointsÂ
9. Knox College – 8 points
