Hanover first-time HCAC champs; NAIA Opening Round, D-II regional to start

BY STEVE KRAH 

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Hanover (Ind.) College is NCAA Division III Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference baseball champions for the first time.

The Grant Bellak-coached Panthers (30-15) won the 2024 HCAC tournament in Kokomo and earned an NCAA D-III regional berth. Hanover goes to a site hosted by Denison and also featuring Rowan and Millikin. The regional is May 17-19.

The season ended for HCAC tourney qualifiers Anderson (25-19), Rose-Hulman (25-19) and Franklin (20-22).

DePauw (23-17) saw its season come to an end at the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament in Chillicothe, Ohio.

The NAIA Opening Round is May 13-16 at 10 sites around the country.

Two locations will feature Indiana teams. 

At the Upland (Ind.) Bracket, the five teams are No. 1 seed Missouri Baptist, No. 2 Taylor (Ind.), No. 3 Mid-America Nazarene (Kan.), No. 4 Indiana Southeast and No. 5 Indiana Tech.

At Williamsburg (Ky.) Bracket, there’s No. 1 Cumberlands (Ky.), No. 2 Bellevue (Neb), No. 3 Loyola (La.), No. 4 Saint Francis (Ind.) and No. 5 Park (Mo.).

The Kyle Gould-coached Taylor Trojans (41-14) won the Crossroads League regular-season and tournament titles.

Brett Neffendorf’s Indiana Southeast Grenadiers (32-18) were River States Conference tournament runners-up.

Kip McWilliams’ Indiana Tech Warriors (32-22) won the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference tournament. The team is on an 11-game win streak.

Dustin Butcher’s Saint Francis Cougars (37-17) finished second in the Crossroads League tournament.

The NAIA World Series is slated for My 24-31 in Lewiston, Idaho.

Oakland City won the National Christian College Athletic Association Mideast Regional and earned a berth in the NCCAA World Series May 18, 20-22 at the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy.

Andy Lasher’s Oakland City Mighty Oaks (41-14) keeps adding to the single-season school record for victories.

Indianapolis (35-18) went 1-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament in Marion, Ill., and has earned a hosting spot in NCAA Division II Midwest Regional No. 2.

The Al Ready-coached Greyhounds are in a field with Trevecca Nazarene, Maryville and Grand Valley State. The regional goes May 16-19.

Purdue Northwest (19-30) saw its season conclude at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament in Lansing, Mich.

Vincennes (13-44) wrapped for 2024 at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Region 24 Pod A tournament at Normal, Ill.

In NCAA Division I, the regular season concludes this week (May 13-19) then comes conference tournaments for qualifiers.

Indiana State (36-11, 19-5), Evansville (29-22, 15-9) and Valparaiso (14-34, 6-18) are in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Purdue (33-19, 13-8) and Indiana (28-21-1, 13-8) are in the Big Ten Conference.

Ball State (30-20-1, 16-11) is in the Mid-American Conference.

Notre Dame (27-22, 9-18) is in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Southern Indiana (22-30, 11-13) is in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Butler (20-32, 5-13) is in the Big East Conference.

Purdue Fort Wayne (17-33, 10-17) is in the Horizon League.

INDIANA COLLEGE BASEBALL

Records Through May 12

NCAA D-I

Indiana State 36-11 (19-5 MVC)

Purdue 33-19 (13-8 Big Ten)

Ball State 30-20-1 (16-11 MAC)

Evansville 29-22 (15-9 MVC)

Indiana 28-21-1 (13-8 Big Ten)

Notre Dame 27-22 (9-18 ACC)

Southern Indiana 22-30 (11-13 OVC)

Butler 20-32 (5-13 Big East)

Purdue Fort Wayne 17-33 (10-17 Horizon)

Valparaiso 14-34 (6-18 MVC)

NCAA D-II

Indianapolis 35-18 (29-7 GLVC)

Purdue Northwest 19-30 (8-22 GLIAC)

NCAA D-III

Hanover 30-15(17-5 HCAC)

Anderson 25-19 (13-9 HCAC)

Rose-Hulman 25-19 (14-8 HCAC)

DePauw 23-17 (12-4 NCAC)

Wabash 22-18 (8-8 NCAC)

Franklin 20-22 (9-13 HCAC)

Earlham 15-22 (7-15 HCAC)

Manchester 14-21 (7-11 HCAC)

Trine 11-27 (3-18 MIAA)

NAIA

Taylor 41-14 (30-6 CL)

Oakland City 41-14 (17-7 RSC) 

Saint Francis 37-17 (24-12 CL)

Indiana Wesleyan 34-15 (27-9 CL)

IU Southeast 32-18 (20-4 RSC)

IU-Kokomo 32-21 (18-6 RSC)

Indiana Tech 32-22 (24-8 WHAC)

Huntington 30-21 (23-13 CL)

Marian 25-27 (17-19 CL)

Calumet of St. Joseph 21-29 (14-18 CCAC)

Grace 18-31 (12-24 CL)

IU South Bend 18-32 (10-22 CCAC)

Goshen 12-36 (7-29 CL)

Bethel 11-35 (6-30 CL)

IUPU-Columbus 10-42 (2-22 RSC)

Junior College

Marian’s Ancilla 16-29 (3-22 MCCAA)

Vincennes 13-44 (5-29 MWAC)

Results Through May 12

NCAA D-I

Tuesday, May 7

Ball State 24, Butler 7

Evansville 10, Southern Indiana 0

Purdue 11, Illinois-Chicago 9

Wednesday, May 8

Butler 12, Eastern Illinois 11

Bowling Green 5, Purdue Fort Wayne 2

Friday, May 10

Ball State 6, Central Michigan 1

Indiana State 5, Evansville 4

Indiana 10, Nebraska 5

Notre Dame 6, Toledo 5

Purdue 4, Michigan 0

Purdue Fort Wayne 18, Northern Kentucky 8

Arkansas-Little Rock 11, Southern Indiana 9

Murray State 11, Valparaiso 10 (10 inn.)

Saturday, May 11

Ball State 6, Central Michigan 4

Villanova 3, Butler 2

Butler 10, Villanova 9 (11 inn.)

Indiana State 6, Evansville 4

Nebraska 5, Indiana 2

Notre Dame 8, Toledo 2

Michigan 7, Purdue 6

Northern Kentucky 10, Purdue Fort Wayne 0

Arkansas-Little Rock 7, Southern Indiana 6

Murray State 7, Valparaiso 3

Sunday, May 12

Central Michigan 17, Ball State 9

Butler 10, Villanova 9 (11 inn.)

Evansville 7, Indiana State 6

Nebraska 4, Indiana 2

Toledo 5, Notre Dame 2

Michigan 8, Purdue 6

Northern Kentucky 18, Purdue Fort Wayne 2

Arkansas-Little Rock 5, Southern Indiana 4 (10 inn.)

Murray State 12, Valparaiso 3

NCAA D-II

Wednesday, May 8

Great Lakes Valley 

Conference Tournament 

Quincy 5, Missouri-St. Louis 4

Thursday, May 9

Great Lakes Valley 

Conference Tournament 

William Jewell 3, Drury 2

Maryville 9, Rockhurst 3

Indianapolis 5, Lewis 2

Great Lakes Intercollegiate 

Athletic Conference Tournament 

Grand Valley State 8, Wisconsin-Parkside 1

Saginaw Valley State 18, Purdue Northwest 4

Davenport 11, Wayne State 2

Friday, May 10

Great Lakes Valley 

Conference Tournament 

Drury 6, Rockhurst 4

Lewis 5, Missouri-St. Louis 2

Maryville 10, William Jewell 4

Quincy 5, Indianapolis 4

Great Lakes Intercollegiate 

Athletic Conference Tournament 

Purdue Northwest 9, Wisconsin-Parkside 7

Saginaw Valley State 9, Wayne State 8 (10 inn.)

Grand Valley State 4, Davenport 2

Saturday, May 11

Great Lakes Valley 

Conference Tournament 

William Jewell 8, Drury 7

Lewis 12, Indianapolis 4

Quincy 7, William Jewell 5

Maryville 11, Lewis 9

Great Lakes Intercollegiate 

Athletic Conference Tournament 

Saginaw Valley State 2, Grand Valley State 1

Davenport 3, Purdue Northwest 1

Saginaw Valley State 14, Davenport 2

Sunday, May 12

Great Lakes Valley 

Conference Tournament 

Championship

Maryville 11, Quincy 1

Great Lakes Intercollegiate 

Athletic Conference Tournament 

Championship

Grand Valley State 5, Saginaw Valley State 3

NCAA D-III

Thursday, May 9

Heartland Collegiate Athletic 

Conference Tournament 

Rose-Hulman 5, Franklin 0

Mount St. Joseph 11, Anderson 10

Hanover 10, Mount St. Joseph 7

North Coast Athletic 

Conference Tournament 

Wittenberg 6, Kenyon 2

Denison 10, DePauw 2

Friday, May 10

Heartland Collegiate Athletic 

Conference Tournament 

Transylvania 7, Rose-Hulman 2

Anderson 11, Franklin 7

Mount St. Joseph 10, Rose-Hulman 1

Transylvania 12, Hanover 10

North Coast Athletic 

Conference Tournament 

Wittenberg 4, Denison 3

Kenyon 10, DePauw 2

Denison 14, Kenyon 1

Saturday, May 11

Heartland Collegiate Athletic 

Conference Tournament 

Anderson 15, Rose-Hulman 4

Hanover 6, Anderson 1

Hanover 6, Transylvania 4

Sunday, May 12

Heartland Collegiate Athletic 

Conference Tournament

Championship

Hanover 9, Transylvania 6

North Coast Athletic 

Conference Tournament 

Championship

Denison 17, Wittenberg 7

NAIA

Monday, May 6

Crossroads League Tournament 

Saint Francis 7, Marian 5

Championship 

Taylor 7, Saint Francis 4

Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic 

Conference Tournament 

Championship Series

Indiana Tech 5, Madonna 4 (11 inn.)

Indiana Tech 10, Madonna 3

Wednesday, May 8

National Christian College Athletic 

Association Mideast Regional

Alice Lloyd 5, Asbury 3

Oakland City 10, Alice Lloyd 0

Thursday, May 9

National Christian College Athletic 

Association Mideast Regional

Asbury 8 Alice Lloyd 6

Oakland City 7, Asbury 3

Junior College

Friday, May 10

NJCAA Division II 

Region 24 Tournament

Heartland 10, Vincennes 9

Spoon River 11, Vincennes 8

Conference tournaments in swing in NAIA, NCAA D-II, NCAA D-III

BY STEVE KRAH 

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Indiana University Southeast (32-18) finished as runner-up to Point Park in the River States Conference baseball tournament at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio. 

The Brett Neffendorf-coached Grenadiers await their NAIA Opening Round assignment.

Three teams remain in the NAIA’s Crossroads League tournament in Winterholter Field in Upland, Ind. — regular-season champion and No. 1 seed Taylor (40-14) takes on the winner of the 3 p.m. Monday, May 6 game between No. 3 Saint Francis (36-16) vs. No. 6 Marian (25-26) at 6 for the title. A second championship game called will be played if necessary in the double-elimination format.

Taylor is coached by Kyle Gould, Saint Francis Dustin Butcher and Marian Todd Bacon.

Indiana Tech (30-22) has made the best-of-three championship series in the NAIA’s Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference tournament at Warrior Field in Fort Wayne, Ind. Those games against Madonna are slated for 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. today (May 6) and — if necessary — Tuesday (May 7). 

Kip McWilliams’ Indiana Tech team has won nine games in a row. The Warriors began the 2024 season at 0-6 and 2-16.

In NCAA Division II, the Great Lakes Valley Conference is slated for May 8-11 at Mtn Dew Park in Marion, Ill.

Regular season champion Indianapolis (34-16) is the No. 1 seed in an eight-team field. The Al Ready-coached Greyhounds play Lewis at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time/7:30 p.m. Central Time on Wednesday, May 8.

Purdue Northwest (18-28) is the No. 6 seed in NCAA D-II’s Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament May 9-12 at Jackson Field in Lansing, Mich.

Dave Griffin’s PNW Pride won its last regular-season game.

NCAA Division III’s Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference will stage its six-team tournament May 9-12 at Kokomo (Ind.) Municipal Stadium.

Hanover (26-14) is the No. 1 seed, followed by No. 2 Transylvania, No. 3 Rose-Hulman (23-17), No. 4 Mount St. Joseph, No. 5 Anderson (23-17) and No. 6 Franklin (20-20). 

The Hanover Panthers are coached by Grant Bellak, the Rose-Hulman Fightin’ Engineers Adam Rosen, the Anderson Ravens Matt Bair and the Franklin Grizzlies Lance Marshall.

Four teams made NCAA D-III’s North Coast Athletic Conference — No. 1 seed Wittenberg, No. 2 Denison, No. 3 DePauw (23-15) and No. 4 Kenyon. The event is May 9-11 in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Blake Allen coaches the DePauw Tigers.

Through the Week of April 29-May 5, the longest win streaks among the state’s NCAA Division I teams belong to Indiana State (34-10) and Southern Indiana (22-26) at three games apiece. 

Mitch Hannahs’ ISU Sycamores are 17-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference and have MVC series left against Evansville and Valparaiso to wrap the regular season plus a mid-week game against Ball State.

Tracy Archuleta’s Screaming Eagles are 11-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference and have OVC series left with Arkansas-Little Rock and Western Illinois plus mid-weeks with Evansville and Middle Tennessee State.

National Junior College Athletic Association‘s Division II Region 24 tournament play begins for Vincennes (13-42) Friday, May 10. Chris Barney coaches the Trailblazers.

INDIANA COLLEGE BASEBALL

Records Through May 5

NCAA D-I

Indiana State 34-10 (17-4 MVC)

Purdue 31-17 (12-6 Big Ten)

Ball State 27-10-1 (14-10 MAC)

Indiana 27-19-1 (12-6 Big Ten)

Evansville 27-20 (14-7 MVC)

Notre Dame 25-21 (9-18 ACC)

Southern Indiana 22-26 (11-10 OVC)

Butler 17-30 (3-12 Big East)

Purdue Fort Wayne 16-30 (9-15 Horizon)

Valparaiso 14-31 (6-15 MVC)

NCAA D-II

Indianapolis 34-16 (29-7 GLVC)

Purdue Northwest 18-28 (8-22 GLIAC)

NCAA D-III

Hanover 26-14 (17-5 HCAC)

Anderson 23-17 (13-9 HCAC)

Rose-Hulman 23-17 (14-8 HCAC)

DePauw 23-15 (12-4 NCAC)

Wabash 22-18 (8-8 NCAC)

Franklin 20-20 (9-13 HCAC)

Manchester 16-24 (9-13 HCAC)

Earlham 15-22 (7-15 HCAC)

Trine 11-27 (3-18 MIAA)

NAIA

Taylor 40-14 (30-6 CL)

Oakland City 39-16 (17-7 RSC) 

Saint Francis 36-16 (24-12 CL)

Indiana Wesleyan 34-15 (27-9 CL)

IU Southeast 32-18 (20-4 RSC)

IU-Kokomo 32-21 (18-6 RSC)

Huntington 30-21 (23-13 CL)

Indiana Tech 30-22 (24-8 WHAC)

Marian 25-26 (17-19 CL)

Calumet of St. Joseph 21-29 (14-18 CCAC)

Grace 18-31 (12-24 CL)

IU South Bend 18-32 (10-22 CCAC)

Goshen 12-36 (7-29 CL)

Bethel 11-35 (6-30 CL)

IUPU-Columbus 10-42 (2-22 RSC)

Junior College

Marian’s Ancilla 16-29 (3-22 MCCAA)

Vincennes 13-42 (5-27 MWAC)

Results Through May 5

NCAA D-I

Tuesday, April 30

Saint Louis 12, Butler 2

Evansville 7, Southeast Missouri State 6

Indiana State 21, Illinois 11

Notre Dame 4, Michigan State 3

Southern Illinois 7, Southern Indiana 5

Western Michigan 8, Valparaiso 6 (15 inn.)

Wednesday, May 1

Purdue 15, DePauw 0

Friday, May 3

Ball State 4, Northern Illinois 3

Xavier 13, Butler 6

Evansville 13, Valparaiso 1

Purdue 7, Indiana 4

Indiana State 15, Belmont 5

Pittsburgh 3, Notre Dame 1

Southern Indiana 5, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 1

Saturday, May 4

Northern Illinois 12, Ball State 3

Xavier 7, Butler 3

Valparaiso 8, Evansville 4

Indiana 10, Purdue 2

Indiana State 8, Belmont 5

Notre Dame 15, Pittsburgh 8

Purdue Fort Wayne 14, Milwaukee 4

Southern Indiana 11, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 6

Sunday, May 5

Ball State 13, Northern Illinois 10

Xavier 12,Butler 7

Evansville 9, Valparaiso 0

Indiana 5, Purdue 4

Indiana State 6, Belmont 4

Notre Dame 8, Pittsburgh 6

Milwaukee 7, Purdue Fort Wayne 6

Milwaukee 15, Purdue Fort Wayne 6

Southern Indiana 13, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 9

NCAA D-II

Thursday, May 2

Lewis 5, Indianapolis 2

Friday, May 3

Lewis 7, Indianapolis 4

Indianapolis 10, Lewis 6

Wayne State 7, Purdue Northwest 4

Saturday, May 4

Indianapolis 14, Lewis 13

Wayne State 3, Purdue Northwest 0

Wayne State 8, Purdue Northwest 3

Sunday, May 5

Purdue Northwest 5, Wayne State 4

NCAA D-III

Tuesday, April 30

DePauw 13, Wittenberg 3

Wittenberg 15, DePauw 0

Wilmington 9, Earlham 7

Webster 13, Franklin

Spalding 11, Hanover 8

Greenville 11, Rose-Hulman 8

Wabash 6, Ohio Wesleyan 5

Wabash 19, Ohio Wesleyan 3

Wednesday, May 1

Purdue 15, DePauw 0

Heidelberg 10, Manchester 0

Friday, May 3

Olivet 4, Olivet 2

Saturday, May 4

Mount St. Joseph 7, Anderson 2

Anderson 9, Mount St. Joseph 3

DePauw 5, Hiram 4

DePauw 11, Hiram 6

Earlham 10, Transylvania 4

Earlham 8, Transylvania 2

Bluffton 9, Franklin 4

Bluffton 9, Franklin 5

Rose-Hulman 8, Hanover 4

Hanover 6, Rose-Hulman 1

Defiance 5, Manchester 1

Manchester 11, Defiance 3

Wabash 9, Wooster 4

Wooster 7, Wabash 3

Sunday, May 5

Franklin 4, Anderson 3

Franklin 15, Anderson 6

Defiance 7, Earlham 4

Defiance 12, Earlham 9

Bluffton 4, Hanover 3

Hanover 16, Bluffton 12

Rose-Hulman 15, Manchester 9

Manchester 7, Rose-Hulman 3

Olivet 4, Trine 0

Trine 12, Olivet 8

NAIA

Wednesday, May 1

Crossroads League Tournament

Marian 11, Spring Arbor 9

Mount Vernon Nazarene 8, Grace 7

Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic

Conference Tournament

Northwestern Ohio Pod

Northwestern Ohio 7, Lourdes 6

Madonna 10, Lawrence Tech 5 (10 inn.)

Lawrence Tech 15, Lourdes 1

Concordia Pod

Concord 5, Siena Heights 2

Indiana Tech 7, Aquinas 5

Aquinas 11, Siena Heights 9

Thursday, May 2

Crossroads League Tournament

Indiana Wesleyan 5, Mount Vernon Nazarene 4

Taylor 11, Marian 6

Saint Francis (Ind.) 7, Huntington 6

River States Conference Tournament

IU-Kokomo 11, Oakland City 9

Point Park 19, Ohio Christian 5

Shawnee State 16, West Virginia Tech 6

IU Southeast 17, Rio Grande 7

Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic

Conference Tournament

Northwestern Ohio Pod

Northwestern Ohio 14, Madonna 6

Madonna 10, Lawrence Tech 9 (10 inn.)

Concordia Pod

Indiana Tech 24, Concordia 2

Aquinas 5, Concordia 4

Friday, May 3

Crossroads League Tournament

Marian 10, Mount Vernon Nazarene 6

Huntington 9, Taylor 6

Saint Francis 9, Indiana Wesleyan 7

River States Conference Tournament

West Virginia Tech 10, Rio Grande 3

Oakland City 17, Ohio Christian 7

IU Southeast 7, Shawnee State 3

IU-Kokomo 11, Point Park 8

Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic

Conference Tournament

Northwestern Ohio Pod

Madonna 10, Northwestern Ohio 6

Madonna 11, Northwestern Ohio 10

Concordia Pod

Indiana Tech 9, Aquinas 7

Saturday, May 4

Crossroads League Tournament

Taylor 6, Indiana Wesleyan 1

Marian 10, Huntington 8

Taylor 9, Saint Francis (Ind.) 8

River States Conference Tournament

West Virginia Tech 12, Shawnee State 9

Point Park 9, Oakland City 3

IU Southeast 13, West Virginia Tech 5

Sunday, May 5

River States Conference Tournament

Point Park 11, IU-Kokomo 1

Point Park 13, IU-Kokomo 3

Championship

Point Park 10, IU Southeast 8

Junior College

Thursday, May 2

Kalamazoo 12, Marian’s Ancilla 1

Kalamazoo 9, Marian’s Ancilla 3

Saturday, May 4

Kalamazoo 11, Marian’s Ancilla 0

Kalamazoo 5, Marian’s Ancilla 0

Parkland 6, Vincennes 0

Parkland 4, Vincennes 0

Sunday, May 5

Parkland 9, Vincennes 3

Parkland 11, Vincennes 6 (11 inn.)

Simplicity suits Indiana State’s Stinson just fine

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Focusing on quality at-bats, Parker Stinson has seen an improvement when he steps in to hit for the Indiana State University baseball team.

With the help of assistant coach Jason Hagerty, the lefty-swinging senior right fielder has untangled his thoughts in the box and it’s helped.

As the first-place Sycamores (29-8, 12-3) head into a three-game Missouri Valley Conference series Friday through Sunday, April 26-28 at Southern Illinois, Stinson has played in all 37 games (36 starts) and is hitting .295 (38-of-129) with 11 home runs, two triples, six doubles, 32 runs batted in, 33 runs scored and a 1.068 OPS (.440 on-base percentage plus .628 slugging average).

He has 11 multi-hit games with three-hit contests March 30 against Illinois-Chicago at Bob Warn Field and April 2 at Indiana. More often than not, he bats No. 4 in the ISU order.

“Hags has been a great addition for us,” says Stinson of Hagerty, who joined the staff in the summer of 2023. “He’s helped me simplify things.

“I’ve simplified it down to the bare minimum. Complicated never seems to work out for me. I’m up at the plate trying to put together a quality at-bat. Whether that’s a hard out or seeing six pitches, that’s a win for me.”

What about driving the baseball?

“I’ve always been able to hit for power,” says Stinson. “It’s been one of my strengths as a ballplayer.

“I really wanted to lean into that this year. I have to be OK with some swings-and-misses. Those are sacrifices you have to make to be a power hitter. I’m trying to get three of my best hacks off each at-bat.”

He has 45 strikeouts and 27 walks.

Stinson doesn’t mind standing on top of the plate, especially against left-handed pitchers.

“It’s makes them uncomfortable,” says Stinson. “If they can put three running fastballs on the inside part of the plate, I’ll just tip my cap to him.”

Led by lefty-swinging redshirt senior Dominic Listi’s 19, ISU batters have been hit by 86 pitches with nine having been plunked five times or more. For Stinson, it’s eight.

But the Sycamores bench does not ask hitters at the dish to “Wear It!”

“We say, ‘Don’t Skate!,’” says Stinson. “It’s about everyone taking one of the team. What it comes down to is taking the extra base for the team.”

Another newcomer to the staff — Kevin Bowers — oversees outfielders.

“He’s keeping us athletic, diving and making plays,” says Stinson of Bowers.

Mitch Hannahs is in his 11th season as head coach at Indiana State.

“He’s intense,” says Stinson of Hannahs. “He holds a high expectation for the team. 

“That’s the main reason we’re so successful here. He never let’s that drop.”

About halfway through his prep days, Stinson was 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds. He’s now 6-foot and 210.

“When junior year (at Yorktown High School) rolled around I started getting in the weight room a little more,” says Stinson. “In college, lifting and nutrition became a part of your job.

“I’ve put on 20 pounds of muscle since I’ve been in college. I cleaned up my diet a little more, cooking more meals at the house as opposed to eating out.”

Stinson has played summer collegiate ball the past three years — 2021 for the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League’s Southampton (N.Y.) Breakers, 2022 for the Northwoods League’s Kenosha (Wis.) Kingfish and 2023 for the NWL’s Willmar (Minn.) Stingers.

He will not play this summer, instead doing an internship required to complete his Exercise Science degree. It will be with a sports performance facility.

Stinson, 22, has a year of eligibility remaining and he says he will likely use it in 2024-25.

He was redshirted for the 2021 Indiana State season.

“The jump from high school to college was a lot for me with COVID,” says Stinson. “I wasn’t ready for the speed of the game at this level.

“The coaches wanted to give me an extra year to get adjusted.”

In his first two seasons on the field in Terre Haute (2022 and 2023), Stinson got into 77 games (56 starts) and hit .219 (47-of-214) with eight homers, one triple, eight doubles, 40 RBIs and 40 runs.

Born in Nashville, Tenn., Stinson came to Indiana as a toddler and grew up in Yorktown, Ind.

He played rec ball in the Yorktown Junior Athletic Association then with the Yorktown Tigers travel team which became the Indiana Generals. He later represented the Indiana Prospects.

At Yorktown High School, his head coach was P.J. Fauqher. 

“That guy was a great coach,” says Stinson of Fauqher. “I enjoyed playing for me.”

The core of that early travel team were the starters for the 2019 team that made it to the IHSAA Class 3A Kokomo Semistate before losing 5-0 to eventual state champion Andrean.

“They were moving up and we were planning on taking state in 2020 (but the season was canceled  because of the pandemic),” says Stinson. “During COVID people were joking and had T-shirts made that said, ‘Yorktown Tigers State Champs 2020.’”

Stinson’s favorite MLB team is the New York Yankees. His favorite player in Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.

“I always liked the way he led his team,” says Stinson of Jeter. “He was humble and he led by example. 

“The man knew how to win.”

Parker is the oldest of Matt and Tiffany Stinson’s three children.

Ellee Stinson (21) is a 2021 Yorktown graduate who played volleyball at Northwestern University and is transferring to Texas A&M University.

Joe Stinson (18) is a senior tennis and track athlete at Yorktown and is likely to go into the trades after graduation.

Parker Stinson. (Indiana State University Photo)

Parker Stinson. (Indiana State University Photo)

Parker Stinson. (Indiana State University Photo)

Parker Stinson. (Indiana State University Photo)

Parker Stinson. (Indiana State University Photo)

Saint Francis wins nine straight; Oakland City, Evansville victory streaks at eight

BY STEVE KRAH 

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

The University of Saint Francis has reeled off nine straight victories — the longest current streak among the state’s college baseball teams through the Week of April 15-21.

The Dustin Butcher-coached Cougars are 31-14 overall and 21-11 in the NAIA Crossroads League. USF left-hander Deron Swanson has nine pitching wins on the 2024 season.

NAIA Oakland City University has produced an eight-game win streak. 

Andy Lasher’s OCU Mighty Oaks are 36-13 overall and 17-7 in the NAIA River States Conference. Right-handers Benjamen Simmons (8) and Gehrig Tenhumberg (7) lead the team in mound triumphs.

NCAA Division I University of Evansville has also won eight straight.

Wes Carroll’s UE Purple Aces are 22-17 in all games and 10-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Left-hander Kenton Deverman (5) is the victory leader. 

NAIA Taylor University has won six in a row as has NCAA Division II University of Indianapolis. 

Kyle Gould’s TU Trojans are 33-13 overall and 26-6 in the Crossroads League. Pacing the squad in wins is Alec Holcomb (8) and Gabel Pentecost (6). Dalton Swinehart has four saves. All three are right-handers.

Al Ready’s UIndy Greyhounds are 27-14 overall and 23-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Right-hander Carter Nowak has five wins and right-hander E.J. White 10 saves.

NCAA Division I University of Notre Dame has crafted a five-game victory string.

Shawn Stiffler’s Fighting Irish are 20-18 overall and 5-16 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The most mound wins belong to right-handers Radek Birkholz (3) and Jack Radel (3). Right-hander Nate Hardman (4) is ND’s saves leader.

NAIA Indiana University Southeast has won its last three contests.

Brett Neffendorf’s Grenadiers are 28-15 overall and 20-4 in the RSC. Right-handers Luke Schafer (7) and Tyler Yotkevich (7) are tied for the most victories. Right-hander Garrett Hill has five saves.

NCAA Division III Hanover College lost Sunday, April 21, seeing the end to an eight-game win streak. Grant Bellak’s Panthers are 21-9 overall and 12-3 in the Heartland College Athletic Conference. Righty Matthew Alter (5) leads HC in pitching wins.

INDIANA COLLEGE BASEBALL

Records Through April 21

NCAA D-I

Indiana State 29-8 (12-3 MVC)

Ball State 25-15 (12-9 MAC)

Purdue 25-15 (8-4 Big Ten)

Indiana 22-18 (7-5 Big Ten)

Evansville 22-17 (10-5 MVC)

Notre Dame 20-18 (5-16 ACC)

Southern Indiana 16-24 (6-9 OVC)

Butler 15-24 (2-7 Big East)

Purdue Fort Wayne 14-25 (8-10 Horizon)

Valparaiso 12-25 (4-11 MVC)

NCAA D-II

Indianapolis 27-14 (23-5 GLVC)

Purdue Northwest 17-20 (7-15 GLIAC)

NCAA D-III

Hanover 21-9 (12-3 HCAC)

Anderson 20-12 (10-5 HCAC)

DePauw 18-11 (8-2 NCAC)

Rose-Hulman 18-14 (9-6 HCAC)

Franklin 16-14 (7-9 HCAC)

Wabash 15-17 (3-7 NCAC)

Earlham 13-16 (5-10 HCAC)

Manchester 11-19 (5-10 HCAC)

Trine 10-22 (2-13 MIAA)

NAIA

Oakland City 36-13 (17-7 RSC) 

Taylor 33-13 (26-6 CL)

Saint Francis 31-14 (21-11 CL)

Indiana Wesleyan 30-12 (24-8 CL)

IU-Kokomo 30-16 (18-6 RSC)

IU Southeast 28-15 (20-4 RSC)

Huntington 26-18 (20-12 CL)

Marian 21-22 (16-16 CL)

Indiana Tech 23-22 (20-8 WHAC)

Calumet of St. Joseph 17-27 (10-16 CCAC)

IU South Bend 17-27 (9-17 CCAC)

Grace 14-30 (8-24 CL)

Goshen 12-32 (7-25 CL)

Bethel 11-31 (6-26 CL)

IUPU-Columbus 10-40 (2-22 RSC)

Junior College

Marian’s Ancilla 16-21 (3-14 MCCAA)

Vincennes 13-33 (5-19 MWAC)

Results Through April 21

NCAA D-I

Tuesday, April 16

Purdue 13, Ball State 3

Butler 16, Eastern Michigan 10

Evansville 5, Indiana 4

Notre Dame 7, Valparaiso 6

Western Kentucky 2, Southern Indiana 1

Wednesday, April 17

Miami (Ohio) 6, Butler 4

Notre Dame 15, Purdue Fort Wayne 5

Friday, April 19

Ball State 14, Western Michigan 1

St. John’s 7, Butler 1

Evansville 9, Bradley 7

Illinois State 4, Indiana State 3

Notre Dame 14, Boston College 3

East Tennessee State 9, Purdue 7

Youngstown State 4, Purdue Fort Wayne 2

Tennessee-Martin 15, Southern Indiana 10

Valparaiso 7, Missouri State 6 (12 inn.)

Saturday, April 20

Ball State 6, Western Michigan 3

St. John’s 8, Butler 7

Evansville 6, Bradley 1

Indiana 7, Minnesota 1

Indiana State 10, Illinois State 1

Notre Dame 9, Boston College 4

Purdue 18, East Tennessee State 7

Youngstown State 12, Purdue Fort Wayne 3

Southern Indiana 4, Tennessee-Martin 2

Missouri State 8, Valparaiso 6

Sunday, April 21

Western Michigan 8, Ball State 4

Butler 8, St. John’s 4

Evansville 7, Bradley 2

Minnesota 13, Indiana 2

Indiana 18, Minnesota 8

Indiana State 11, Illinois State 1

Notre Dame 13, Boston College 0

East Tennessee State 12, Purdue 2

Purdue Fort Wayne 6, Youngstown State 3

Tennessee-Martin 5, Southern Indiana 3

Missouri State 14, Valparaiso 3

NCAA D-II

Tuesday, April 16

Wisconsin-Parkside 5, Purdue Northwest 3

Purdue Northwest 2, Wisconsin-Parkside 1

Friday, April 19

Indianapolis 7, Maryville 4

Purdue Northwest 8, Saginaw Valley State 6

Saturday, April 20

Indianapolis 9, Maryville 7

Indianapolis 7, Maryville 6

Saginaw Valley State 2, Purdue Northwest 0

Purdue Northwest 9, Saginaw Valley State 6

Sunday, April 21

Indianapolis 12, Maryville 11

Saginaw Valley State 11, Purdue Northwest 4

NCAA D-III

Monday, April 15

Anderson 11, Defiance 1

Earlham 11, Principia 1

Earlham 14, Principia 2

Trine 8, Calvin 7

Tuesday, April 16

Adrian 21, Trine 4

Wednesday, April 17

Webster 17, Rose-Hulman 7

Wittenberg 7, Wabash 6

Wittenberg 9, Wabash 1

Thursday, April 18

DePauw 7, Franklin 4

Friday, April 19

Kalamazoo 15, Trine 2

Saturday, April 20

Anderson 10, Rose-Hulman 6

Rose-Hulman 5, Anderson 3

DePauw 13, Wooster 1

DePauw 13, Wooster 10 (11 inn.)

Franklin 14, Earlham 2

Franklin 18, Earlham 1

Hanover 14, Mount St. Joseph 7

Hanover 10, Mount St. Joseph 5

Manchester 11, Bluffton 4

Manchester 8, Bluffton 2

Kenyon 7, Wabash 6

Kenyon 11, Kenyon 1

Sunday, April 21

Anderson 9, Rose-Hulman 4

DePauw 7, Denison 6

Denison 7, DePauw 1

Earlham 11, Franklin 6

Mount St. Joseph 6, Hanover 5

Manchester 11, Wabash 6

Wabash 6, Manchester 1

Kalamazoo 2, Trine 1

Kalamazoo 9, Trine 5

NAIA

Monday, April 15

Marian 12, Bethel 1

Bethel 6, Marian 3

Huntington 6, Grace 3

Huntington 8, Grace 2

Tuesday, April 16

Western Michigan 12, Goshen 2 (exhibition)

Miami-Hamilton 10, IUPU-Columbus 7

Georgetown (Ky.) 8, IU Southeast 6

Oakland City 27, Kentucky State 1

Wednesday, April 17

Asbury 12, IUPU-Columbus 6

Asbury 7, IUPU-Columbus 4

Thursday, April 18

Lourdes 15, Indiana Tech 11

Indiana Tech 15, Lourdes 8

Taylor 12, Marian 2

Taylor 10, Marian 5

Friday, April 19

Bethel 3, Spring Arbor 2

Spring Arbor 7, Bethel 0

Calumet of St. Joseph 7, Roosevelt 2

Roosevelt 20, Calumet of St. Joseph 4

Saint Francis 11, Grace 7

Saint Francis 24, Grace 13

Mount Vernon Nazarene 12, Goshen 6

Mount Vernon Nazarene 19, Goshen 7

Indiana Wesleyan 12, Huntington 1

Indiana Wesleyan 3, Huntington 2

IU Southeast 9, IUPU-Columbus 1

Midway 6, IU Kokomo 3

IU South Bend 5, Olivet Nazarene 4

Olivet Nazarene 14, IU South Bend 6

Saturday, April 20

Spring Arbor 8, Bethel 3

Spring Arbor 5, Bethel 4

Roosevelt 4, Calumet of St. Joseph 3

Calumet of St. Joseph 7, Roosevelt 3

Saint Francis 9, Grace 5

Saint Francis 7, Grace 0

Mount Vernon Nazarene 14, Goshen 11

Mount Vernon Nazarene 8, Goshen 7

Indiana Wesleyan 13, Huntington 12

Huntington 10, Indiana Wesleyan 0

IUPU-Columbus at IU Southeast

Midway 13, IU Kokomo 11

IU Kokomo 7, Midway 6

IU South Bend 5, Olivet Nazarene 2

Olivet Nazarene 16, IU South Bend 1

IU Southeast 12, IUPU-Columbus 2

IU Southeast 10, IUPU-Columbus 1

Indiana Tech 7, Aquinas 1

Aquinas 11, Indiana Tech 3

Taylor 12, Marian 9

Taylor 13, Marian 3

Oakland City 5, Brescia 0

Oakland City 5, Brescia 3

Sunday, April 21

Indiana Tech 7, Aquinas 0

Indiana Tech 9, Aquinas 7

Oakland City 7, Brescia 5 (10 inn.)

Junior College

Wednesday, April 17

Vincennes 14, Franklin JV 5

Thursday, April 18

Marian’s Ancilla 4, Lake Michigan 1

Lake Michigan 19, Marian’s Ancilla 7

Saturday, April 20

Lake Michigan 14, Marian’s Ancilla 2

Lake Michigan 12, Marian’s Ancilla 9

Vincennes 9, Spoon River 3

Spoon River 7, Vincennes 6

Sunday, April 21

Prairie State 15, Marian’s Ancilla 1

Spoon River 11, Vincennes 9

Spoon River 18, Vincennes 8

Indiana State, Hanover own six-game win streaks

BY STEVE KRAH 

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

The state’s longest college baseball win streaks through the Week of April 8-14 belong to the NCAA Division I Indiana State University Sycamores and NCAA D-III Hanover College Panthers. Both have won six in a row.

Indiana State is 27-7 overall and and 10-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Mitch Hannahs’ team is in first place, three games ahead of Illinois-Chicago, Illinois State, Belmont and Evansville.

Hanover is 19-8 in all games and 10-2 in the Heartland College Athletic Conference. Grant Bellak’s club is in first, a half game against of Transylvania.

NAIA University of Saint Francis owns a five-game win streak. Dustin Butcher’s Cougars are 27-14 overall and 17-11 in the Crossroads League.

Taylor University (29-13, 22-6) and Indiana Wesleyan University (27-11, 21-7) are 1-2 atop the CL. TU is coached by Kyle Gould and IWU by Ian MacDonald.

Four-game win streaks belong to D-I University of Evansville and NAIA Oakland City University.

Wes Carroll’s UE Purple Aces are 18-17 overall and 7-5 in the MVC.

Andy Lasher’s OCU Mighty Oaks are 32-13 overall and 14-7 in the River States Conference.

Tied for first place in the RSC are Indiana University-Kokomo (29-14, 17-4) and Indiana University Southeast (25-14, 17-4). The Drew Brantley-coached IUK Cougars and Brett Neffendorf-coached IUS Grenadiers just finished a three-game series in Kokomo. IUK won that 2-1.

Current three-game win streaks have been built by D-I’s Ball State University and Purdue University and D-III’s Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Wabash College.

Rich Maloney’s BSU Cardinals and 23-13 overall and 10-8 in the Mid-American Conference — good for fourth place behind Bowling Green (15-0 in MAC games), Western Michigan (11-4) and Toledo (12-6).

Greg Goff’s PU Boilermakers are 23-13 overall and 8-4 in the Big Ten Conference, placing them behind Illinois (7-2 in B1G games) and Nebraska (6-3).

Adam Rosen’s RHIT Fightin’ Engineers are 17-11 overall and 8-4 in the HCAC.

Jake Martin’s Wabash Little Giants is 14-12 overall and 3-3 in the North Coast Athletic Conference. Denison (7-1 in NCAC games), DePauw (5-1) and Wittenberg (5-1) are at the top.

INDIANA COLLEGE BASEBALL

Records Through April 14

NCAA D-I

Indiana State 27-7 (10-2 MVC)

Ball State 23-13 (10-8 MAC)

Purdue 23-13 (8-4 Big Ten)

Indiana 20-16 (5-4 Big Ten)

Evansville 18-17 (7-5 MVC)

Notre Dame 15-18 (2-16 ACC)

Southern Indiana 15-21 (5-7 OVC)

Butler 13-21 (1-5 Big East)

Purdue Fort Wayne 13-22 (7-8 Horizon)

Valparaiso 11-22 (3-9 MVC)

NCAA D-II

Indianapolis 23-14 (19-5 GLVC)

Purdue Northwest 14-17 (4-12 GLIAC)

NCAA D-III

Hanover 19-8 (10-2 HCAC)

Rose-Hulman 17-11 (8-4 HCAC)

Anderson 17-11 (7-4 HCAC)

DePauw 14-10 (5-1 NCAC)

Wabash 14-12 (3-3 NCAC)

Franklin 14-12 (5-8 HCAC)

Earlham 10-14 (4-8 HCAC)

Trine 9-18 (1-9 MIAA)

Manchester 9-19 (3-10 HCAC)

NAIA

Oakland City 32-13 (14-7 RSC) 

Taylor 29-13 (22-6 CL)

IU-Kokomo 29-14 (17-4 RSC)

Indiana Wesleyan 27-11 (21-7 CL)

Saint Francis 27-14 (17-11 CL)

IU Southeast 25-14 (17-4 RSC)

Huntington 23-15 (17-9 CL)

Marian 20-17 (15-11 CL)

Indiana Tech 19-20 (16-4 WHAC)

Calumet of St. Joseph 15-25 (8-14 CCAC)

IU South Bend 15-25 (7-15 CCAC)

Grace 14-24 (8-18 CL)

Goshen 12-28 (7-21 CL)

IUPU-Columbus 10-34 (2-19 RSC)

Bethel 9-27 (4-22 CL)

Junior College

Marian’s Ancilla 15-17 (2-11 MCCAA)

Vincennes 11-30 (4-16 MWAC)

Results Through April 14

NCAA D-I

Tuesday, April 9

Evansville 15, Butler 5

Indiana State 9, Purdue 3

Saint Louis 13, Southern Indiana 5

Milwaukee 7, Valparaiso 3

Wednesday, April 10

Notre Dame 11, Butler 2

Bowling Green State 8, Purdue Fort Wayne 7

Friday, April 12

Evansville 9, Illinois State 1

Penn State 15, Indiana 4

Indiana State 14, Bradley 2

North Carolina 13, Notre Dame 0

Purdue 7, Michigan State 2

Southeast Missouri State 1, Southern Indiana 0

Belmont 9, Valparaiso 2

Saturday, April 13

Ball State 5, Akron 1

Ball State 17, Akron 7

Georgetown 13, Butler 4

Georgetown 9, Butler 5

Evansville 6, Illinois State 5

Indiana 10, Penn State 9

Indiana State 11, Bradley 1

North Carolina 7, Notre Dame 2

Purdue 14, Michigan State 0

Purdue Fort Wayne 11, Oakland 6

Oakland 8, Purdue Fort Wayne 3

Southern Indiana 12, Southeast Missouri State 6

Valparaiso 10, Belmont 9

Sunday, April 14

Ball State 14, Akron 9

Georgetown 15, Butler 2

Evansville 13, Illinois State 1

Indiana 12, Penn State 3

Indiana State 17, Bradley 6

North Carolina 10, Notre Dame 3

Purdue 21, Michigan State 1

Oakland 8, Purdue Fort Wayne 5

Southeast Missouri State 12, Southern Indiana 2

Belmont 15, Valparaiso 8

NCAA D-II

Tuesday, April 9

Purdue Northwest 7, Indianapolis 6

Purdue Northwest 4, Indianapolis 0

Friday, April 12

Indianapolis 6, Quincy 5

Grand Valley State 3, Purdue Northwest 0

Saturday, April 13

Quincy 11, Indianapolis 6

Indianapolis 7, Quincy 4

Grand Valley State 9, Purdue Northwest 3

Purdue Northwest 12, Grand Valley State 11

Sunday, April 14

Indianapolis 16, Quincy 11

Grand Valley State 9, Purdue Northwest 3

NCAA D-III

Tuesday, April 9

Wabash 8, DePauw 1

DePauw 8, Wabash 0

Washington (Mo.) 4, Rose-Hulman 3

Adrian 14, Trine 3

Friday, April 12

Hanover 18, Manchester 3

Saturday, April 13

DePauw 7, Ohio Wesleyan 3

DePauw 13, Ohio Wesleyan 3

Rose-Hulman 14, Earlham 2

Rose-Hulman 11, Earlham 1

Franklin 14, Mount St. Joseph 7

Hanover 14, Manchester 4

Hanover 5, Manchester 2

Trine 8, Calvin 7 (10 inn.)

Calvin 6, Trine 5

Wabash 12, Hiram 7

Wabash 17, Hiram 3

Sunday, April 14

Anderson 4, Defiance 3

Anderson 13, Defiance 3

Rose-Hulman 16, DePauw 8

Mount St. Joseph 13, Franklin 6

Mount St. Joseph 15, Franklin 12

Wabash 5, Blackburn 4

NAIA

Tuesday, April 9

Grace 6, Goshen 2

Huntington 10, IUPU-Columbus 7

Saint Francis (Ill.) 11, IU South Bend 5

Saint Francis (Ill.) 11, IU South Bend 4

Marian 9, Mount Vernon Nazarene 5

Mount Vernon Nazarene 8, Marian 7

Oakland City 11, Health Sciences & Pharmacy 2

Wednesday, April 10

Defiance 5, Indiana Tech 4

Friday, April 12

Indiana Wesleyan 6, Taylor 4

Taylor 4, Indiana Wesleyan 3

Saturday, April 13

Marian 10, Bethel 1

Marian 5, Bethel 4

IU South Bend 6, Calumet of St. Joseph 3

IU South Bend 14, Calumet of St. Joseph 5

Saint Francis (Ind.) 10, Goshen 2

Saint Francis (Ind.) 6, Goshen 5

Huntington 19, Grace 3

Grace 4, Huntington 3

IU-Kokomo 9, IU Southeast 1

IU-Kokomo 5, IU Southeast 4

Oakland City 13, IUPU-Columbus 3

Oakland City 17, IUPU-Columbus 3

Indiana Tech 11, Northwestern Ohio 4

Indiana Tech 11, Northwestern Ohio 10

Indiana Wesleyan 18, Taylor 17

Taylor 24, Indiana Wesleyan 1

Sunday, April 14

Calumet of St. Joseph 18, IU South Bend 0

IU South Bend 12, Calumet of St. Joseph 2

Saint Francis (Ind.) 7, Goshen 3

Saint Francis (Ind.) 1, Goshen 0

Oakland City 11, IUPU-Columbus 1

IU Southeast 11, IU-Kokomo 6

Concordia (Mich.) 8, Indiana Tech 7

Concordia (Mich.) 11, Indiana Tech 10 (10 inn.)

Junior College

Monday, April 8

Heartland 8, Vincennes

Heartland 14, Vincennes 4

Tuesday, April 9

Heartland 7, Vincennes 0

Heartland 12, Vincennes 4

Saturday, April 13

Kellogg 7, Marian’s Ancilla 0

Marian’s Ancilla at Kellogg

Lincoln Land 10, Vincennes 4

Lincoln Land 10, Vincennes 0

Sunday, April 14

Kellogg 9, Marian’s Ancilla 2

Kellogg 10, Marian’s Ancilla 0

Lincoln Land 10, Vincennes 5

Lincoln Land 17, Vincennes 6

Wollenzin has Evansville hitters focused on discipline, timing

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Matt Wollenzin came back for his second stint as a University of Evansville baseball assistant in the summer of 2022 and guided Purple Aces hitters in 2023.

Wollenzin, who was on the UE staff in 2016 and 2017 guiding catchers and helping with hitters, the approach in 2024 will remain much the same. 

“We want our guys to understand what pitches they can hit well, what pitches they can do damage on and what pitches they struggle with,” says Wollenzin, 32. “We want to hit strikes hard. We’re firm believers that the better the strike (zone) discipline the more you’re going to get on-base and more you’re going to be able to drive the baseball and do damage.

“Mechanically, everyone has a different skill set and a different set of strengths and weaknesses. We talk a lot about timing. We want to be waiting on fastballs. If we can hit the heater, that’s when we’re at our best.”

Wollenzin has his players working on these things using a steady mix of feel-good and situational batting practice and more-difficult game-like conditions that put hitters in compete mode. There’s also front toss and tee work.

New to the program is a Spinball iPitch Smart Pitching Machine that can be set up for the exact pitch metrics the team will face.

“That’s been a huge deal for us,” says Wollenzin. “We’ve been using the Driveline Baseball Smash Factor Balls with that. In-season, you can show them a 95 mph fastball. But the guys are going to blow up their hands if they use it all the time (using regular baseballs). It’s the same ball flight (with Smash Factor Balls) and they’re a little nastier from a stuff standpoint.”

Video is also a big part of the equation. Hitters can view all their at-bats from multiple angles. 

“We preach to the guys to watch the guys in the big leagues, compare it to what you’re doing and just be students of the game,” says Wollenzin. “The more you watch what’s happening it’s going to make the adjustments that are necessary.”

The 2023 Evansville squad went 37-24 overall and 15-12 in the Missouri Valley Conference and hit .254 as a team with 81 home runs, 14 triples, 95 doubles, 337 runs batted in, 363 runs scored and a .796 OPS (.364 on-base percentage plus .432 slugging average). UE hitters walked 312 times and struck out 500 over 2,059 at-bats.

“I wouldn’t say we’re OK with striking out by any means,” says Wollenzin. “That can kill a lot to innings and take the pressure off the defense. We want to apply pressure at all times. At the same time, it is going to happen when you hit for a lot of power. 

“This year we’ve keyed in on cutting that down a little bit. We’re trying to take away from the boom-or-bust mentality as an offense. We just want to swing at good pitches.”

In his graduate season in 2023, Eric Roberts (Hamilton, Ohio) hit .295 with 21 homers, 58 RBIs and a .622 slugging average while earning all-MVC and American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-Midwest Region first team honors. 

Roberts is not back in 2024, but a number of top Aces return, including all-conference picks Chase Hug (.311/14/55; .576) and Kip Fougerousse (.288-13-47; .496) plus Simon Scherry (.267-3-23; .379), Brent Widder (.238-5-28; .378), Ty Rumsey (.232-8-16; .389), Brendan Hord (.208-5-30; .360) and Mark Schallenberger (.209-4-13; .345).

Hug (a graduate of Pike High School in Indianapolis), Widder (Sheboygan, Wis.), Hord (Lexington, Ky.) and Schallenberger (St. Louis, Mo.) are grad students, Fougerousse (Linton-Stockton) and Scherry (Heritage Hills) seniors and Rumsey (Evansville North) a junior in 2024.

Wollenzin says Hug, Widder and Schallenberger were not in the peak of health in 2023.

“All of those guys who were not quite themselves last year can combine to make up for the loss of Eric Roberts in the lineup,” says Wollenzin.

The coach reports that fall workouts were productive.

“We tried to replicate the spring season as best as we could from a practice and game standpoint, which means Mondays off, practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and intrasquads on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”

Evansville saw three opponents in the fall — Wabash Valley College, University of Southern Indiana and the Toronto Mets.

Wollenzin said the regular hitters showed out against the first two foes and other players were able to get in the lineup in against the foreign opponent.

“I think we’re going to have some serious depth that we didn’t necessarily have last year,” says Wollenzin. “We’ve got a lot of confidence in 12 to 14 position players.”

Post-holiday break classes resumed at Evansville on Monday, Jan. 8 and the Aces saw their first live at-bats this past weekend.

Wollenzin is part of a staff that features Wes Carroll as head coach, Tyler Shipley as pitching coach/recruiting coordinator, Griffin McCormick as volunteer assistant and Jarrett Blunt as graduate assistant.

“(Carroll) just brings a great environment,” says Wollenzin, who is in his second go-round with the Aces field boss. “Guys want to show up and work every single day. He’s continuously gotten better at his own craft, too. 

“He lacks complacency as a coach. He tries to find ways to help guys whether on the analytic or culture side of things. He cares a lot about his players and there’s something to be said for that.”

Wollenzin grew up in the Denver suburb of Lakewood, Colo., and graduated from Green Mountain High School, where he was an all-stater, in 2010. His head coach at the end of his Rams days was Brad Madden. 

“When it’s a fun competitive environment and you were around people who are just as much as you do you’re going to greater interest in the sport and all the nuances of it,” says Wollenzin. “Coach Madden created an environment that made me want to do this at the next level and make me want get into it as a career.

“Every stop along the way I’ve been around good people who cared about you and the game and helping you get where you wanted to be.”

As a lefty-swinging catcher, Wollenzin played at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., (2011-14), earning National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman All-American mention, and served one season as a graduate assistant (2015) with Gary McClure as Governors head coach.

“Win at all costs,” says Wollenzin of McClure’s approach. “He was the ultimate competition. The guy loved to win. He would do anything to win. We brought home three (Ohio Valley Conference) championships. I have nothing but great things there with Coach McClure.”

Wollenzin earned a Healthcare Management undergraduate degree and master of Healthcare Administration from Austin Peay, the latter in 2016.

During his first time at Evansville, Wollenzin spent his summers in Mankato, Minn., with the Northwoods League’s Mankato MoonDogs and was later the team’s manager.

He also joined the coaching staff at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato (2018-22) — the last two years as associate head coach to Vikings head coach Ryan Kragh.

“He trusted me from Day 1 when he was the (manager) of the MoonDogs and with Bethany, too,” says Wollenzin of Kragh. “I could do my own thing.

“He gave me a lot of control. That’s where you learn a lot about yourself as a coach — what you do well and what you do not do well. If it wasn’t for him I don’t think I’d be where I am right now. I owe him a lot for that.”

Kragh valued relationships and so does Wollenzin.

“Players don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” says Wollenzin. “Although it’s cliche, it’s 100 percent true.

“It’s something I’ve tried to replicate in my coaching career.”

This past Thanksgiving, Wollenzin and Sarah Duwenhoegger got engaged with an eye on a wedding next winter. The couple met in Mankato in 2019.

Matt Wollenzin. (University of Evansville Photo)

Matt Wollenzin. (University of Evansville Image)

Guerin Catholic grad Parenteau transfers to Indiana State

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

When Matt Parenteau goes back to college in August he will be donning new colors — the Royal Blue and White of Indiana State University.

With two remaining years of baseball eligibility, the right-handed pitcher has transferred after two seasons at the University of Mississippi.

Parenteau, who turns 23 in December, is a 2019 graduate of Guerin Catholic High School in Noblesville, Ind. 

He pitched for Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio in 2020 — a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. That summer he was with the Park Rangers in the College Summer League at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind.

When the Sinclair Tartans program guided by Steve Dintaman shut down Parenteau transferred to National Junior College Athletic Association member Parkland College in Champaign, Ill., and pitched for the Jon Goebel-coached Cobras in 2021 (posting a 1.94 ERA with 74 K’s in 46 1/3 innings and landing on the all-Mid-West Athletic Conference and NJCAA all-academic first teams) then took the mound for Ole Miss in 2022 and 2023. 

Parenteau pitched eight times out of the bullpen through April 14 and the Mike Bianco-coached Rebels went on to win the 2022 College World Series. 

The summer saw Parenteau hurl in two games with the Northwoods League’s Kokomo (Ind.) Jackrabbits. He got a PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injection in the fall to strengthen the tendons and ligaments in his elbow.

The tall righty threw 49 in-game pitches for Ole Miss this past season. He got into games twice in February and twice in March. His last appearance for the Rebels was March 12, 2023 against Purdue. He underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery shortly after that and is now about two weeks away from being able to throw again.

In 26 collegiate games — 14 at the NJCAA level (11 starts) and 12 at NCAA Division I (all in relief) — he is 7-2 with one save, 94 strikeouts and 33 walks in 62 innings. 

Parenteau says his role at ISU will be up to his coaches and his progress in building back up after surgery.

Indiana State — with Mitch Hannahs as head coach and Justin Hancock as pitching coach — is coming off a 2023 season in which the Terre Haute-based Sycamores went 45-17 overall, 24-3 in the Missouri Valley Conference and advanced to the Fort Worth Super Regional.

Parenteau is 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds and delivers his pitches from a high three-quarter arm slot.

He throws a four-seam fastball, curveball and slider and hopes to add a change-up to his arsenal.

Pre-surgery, his four-seamer was clocked at 91 to 94 mph. His curve is of the “11 to 7” variety. It’s a traditional slider than Parenteau uses — not a sweeper.

“I’ve always had a strong arm growing up,” says Parenteau. “I worked hard and was a good teammate.

“I’ve always been tall. That’s always helped.”

One of his favorite big leaguers is 6-foot-8 Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow.

“He’s similar guy to me,” says Parenteau.

Born in Indianapolis, Parenteau grew up in Carmel, Ind. He played rec and travel ball through Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church and School until high school then for the Circle City Hoosiers and Indiana Lumber Kings — the last summer being 2019.

He was a baseball and basketball player at Guerin Catholic. 

On the diamond, his varsity head coach was Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Rich Andriole.

“He was awesome,” says Parenteau. “He was fun to play for. He was a really good coach.

“He taught us a lot — on the off the field.”

Andriole died in 2020.

On the hardwood, Parenteau had two head coaches — Pete Smith (who brought state championships to the Golden Eagles in 2012 and 2015) then Bobby Allen. 

“Playing basketball adds another aspect of athleticism that colleges coaches like to see,” says Parenteau. “Coach Smith taught the game really well. 

“Bobby Allen is a lot younger and brought a different style to the program. I really enjoyed playing for both of them.”

As a baseball senior, Parenteau posted a 1.90 earned run average with 73 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings and was named all-Circle City Conference and all-Hamilton County.

Parenteau earned a General Business degree at Mississippi in the spring. He is unsure what is academic pursuit will be at Indiana State.

Matt is the oldest child of Bob and Andrea Parenteau. He is in ticket sales with the Indianapolis Colts. She is a nurse. Both were swimmers at Ball State University. Uncles Jon and Dan Parenteau swam at Ohio University and the University of Connecticut, respectively.

Siblings of Matt include brothers Jack and Will and sisters Ally and Anna. Former prep basketballer Jack Parenteau (Guerin Catholic Class of 2021) nows attends Purdue University. Will Parenteau (Guerin Catholic Class of 2025) is a basketball player and golfer.

Matt Parenteau. (University of Mississippi Photo)

Matt Parenteau. (University of Mississippi Photo)

Matt Parenteau. (University of Mississippi Photo)

Schmack coming back for fifth year for Valpo U. Beacons

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Kyle Schmack will continue playing college baseball for his father while he furthers his education.

With a Finance degree in-hand and one year of remaining eligibility, Kyle is coming back to Valparaiso (Ind.) University — where father Brian Schmack just completed his 10th season as head coach — and will enter graduate school, going for a Master of Analytics and Modeling with an eye on being a financial analyst after college. 

“It’s fun,” says Kyle of playing for his dad. “I never got to do it growing up.

“I’ll remember this for the rest of my life.”

Kyle enjoyed a memorable 2023 season.

In 47 games (47 starts), the righty swinger hit .322 (55-of-171) with nine home runs, one triple, 15 doubles, 38 runs batted in, 47 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.

In four seasons (2020-23), Schmack is hitting .283 (165-of-583) with 18 homers, three triples, 37 doubles, 93 RBIs, 100 runs and 22 stolen bases. The 2020 season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic and several players — including Schmack — were granted an extra year of eligibility.

Schmack, who turned 22 in May, has an approach in the batter’s box.

“I just try to see the ball deep,” says Schmack. “It gives me a better bat path.

“If I don’t see the ball deep I won’t recognize a curveball or a slider and I’ll just swing through it.”

While he has clubbed circuit clouts at Valpo and during his days at South Central Junior/Senior High School in Union Mills, Ind., Schmack does not consider himself a home run hitter.

“I try to go for doubles more than anything else,” says Schmack. “Home runs happen as an accident almost. 

“I’m not trying to be a contact hitter and put everything in play. I’m still trying to get my ‘A’ swing off. But I’m not trying to hit the ball and launch it over the wall.”

He has defensive keys, too.

“(Coaches) tell us to make sure you catch the ball, stay behind it, block ground balls and make sure guys don’t take extra bases,” says Schmack. “That’s a key for us.”

A 6-foot-1, 240-pound first baseman when he started at Valpo, Schmack turned himself into a 6-1, 215-pound outfielder.

“I shed weight and improved my speed,” says Schmack.

The Missouri Valley Conference member Valpo Beacons play home games at Emory G. Bauer Field, which has a turf infield and grass outfield.

A Chicago White Sox fan, one of the big league players Schmack admires is Andrew Vaughn.

After playing for the Park Rangers in the College Summer League at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind., in 2020, the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League’s Utica (N.Y.) Blue Sox in 2021 and Coastal Plain League’s Peninsula Pilots (Hampton, Va.) in 2022, Schmack is working for Bullpen Tournaments this summer.

Born in Round Lake, Ill., Schmack grew up in Wanatah, Ind.

He played his first few years of travel ball with the Chesterton Vipers then went to the Dyer Jayhawks. In high school, he played for the Indiana Chargers. Justin Barber was his head coach much of the time.

At 18U, Schmack played for the Chicago Heights, Ill.- based Midwest Rangers.

A 2019 South Central graduate, Schmack played for Satellites coaches Ryan Kruszka and former Valpo U. pitcher Jarad Miller.

“I love them to death,” says Schmack. “They really had a great impact on me.

“They were able to teach me how to play baseball and play it right and how to be a better man.”

Schmack was the MVP of the 2019 Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association North/South All-Star Series in Madison.

Kyle is the oldest of Brian and Cari Schmack’s three children. Twins Ella and Riley Schmack (South Central Class of 2023) played volleyball in high school and are bound for Valpo U.

Cari Schmack is a receptionist in a dermatologist’s office.

Kyle Schmack. (Valparaiso University Photo)

Kyle Schmack. (Valparaiso University Photo)

Brian, Kyle (MVP) and Cari Schmack and Jeff McKeon at 2019 Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association North/South All-Star Series in Madison, Ind. (Steve Krah Photo)

Kyle Schmack. (Valparaiso University Photo)

Brownsburg’s Birr works his way to Southern Illinois-Carbondale

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Ryan Birr was undersized and underwhelming during his prep baseball career.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound third baseman just completed two seasons at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Ill., and is headed to NCAA Division I/Missouri Valley Conference school Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. 

Last November, Birr committed to the Lance Rhodes-coached Salukis for 2023-24 with two years of remaining eligibility.

When Birr entered Brownsburg (Ind.) High School at 5-foot-5 in the fall of 2016 and even after a growth spirt was still a “very skinny kid.”

“I was very lanky and very weak,” says Birr. “Growing up, I was always overmatched.”

Birr played Brownsburg junior varsity ball for Zach Foley then hit .111 as a junior for the Dan Roman-coached varsity Bulldogs in the spring of 2019. The senior season was missed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since leaving school, Birr has been impressed how Roman has kept up with his former players.

Along the way, Birr received a direct message through Twitter from Adam Akin, an Evansville, Ind., who played baseball at Evansville (Ind.) North High School and the University of Indianapolis, and now connected to Combine Academy in Lincolnton, N.C.

“I thought it was a scam,” says Birr. “I ignored it completely for the first two days.”

Birr learned the Combine Academy provided athletes with the opportunity to take a post-graduate year after high school. 

After doing his research, Birr decided to take that option and got to know Combine Academy President of Baseball & Golf Akin, recruiting director Jeff Birkhofer, Goats head baseball coach Tommy Goodale (now a Georgia Gwinnett College assistant), assistant Jake Sheley (now in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization), Carlos Texidor (who played at Kaskaskia and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and now helping players in the New York Mets system) and Ian Walsh (who now works in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization).

“I really liked it,” says Birr, who took the maximum two classes through Indiana University in the fall and spring semesters and — with the help of the MyFitnessPal app — bulked up from 170 pounds in August 2021 to 195 in March 2022.

In 2023, he played in 52 games (51 starts at third base) for the Kaskaska Blue Devils (where Purdue University graduate Mitch Koester is head coach and Chris Willsey hitting coach/recruiting coordinator). Righty swinger Birr hit .365 (69-of-189) with one home run, one triple, 13 doubles, 44 runs batted in, 44 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. 

As a freshman in 2022, he split time between third base, first base and designated hitter.

“I’m really aggressive,” says Birr of his offensive approach. “I like to hit the fastball first pitch.”

He gives himself a positive self talk, saying things like “You’re the best in the world!”

“This sport is filled with failure,” says Birr. “I try not to think about anything negative. I clear my mind and visualize success.”

Birr says the time to work on mechanics is during practice — not during the game.

New to third base, Birr is learning quick reaction time is key.

“It’s called the hot corner for a reason,” says Birr.

While he is a Chicago Cubs fan, Birr appreciates St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado.

“I really admire his game,” says Birr. “I also like Nelson Cruz for his swing and approach. Everybody says this, but I was a really big fan of Derek Jeter growing up.”

Born and raised in Brownsburg, Birr played at Brownsburg Little League before travel ball seasons with the Indiana Prospects, Indiana Aces and during his sophomore and junior years of high school the Matt Bowles-coached Indiana Nitro.

“He was a really big mentor for me,” says Birr of Bowles. “He’s one of the favorite coaches I’ve ever had.”

The two remain connected to this day.

Throughout high school, Birr’s personal hitting coach was Ed Woolwine.

“He transferred my swing,” says Birr of Woolwine, who started the Fishers (Ind). Sports Academy.

Birr, who turns 21 in July, played in the College Summer League at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind., for the back-to-back champion Bag Bandits (managed by Caleb Fenimore).

After a brief stint with the Northwoods League’s 2023 Wausau (Wis.) Woodchucks, Birr is back home working at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis and lifting, throwing and hitting at Pro-X Athlete in Westfield. His usual workout partner is Purdue University outfielder Camden Melvin (Avon High School Class of 2020).

Birr earned an associate degree at Kaskaskia and plans to be a Business major at Southern Illinois.

Ryan is the youngest of Martin and Lori Birr’s three sons.

Jamie Birr works in customer service at an insurance agency and Tyler Birr (Brownsburg Class of 2018) at a gym. 

Martin Birr is an accountant and teaches the subject at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Lori Birr is a Brownsburg teacher’s aide.

Ryan Birr. (Kaskaskia College Photo)

Ryan Birr. (Kaskaskia College Photo)

Ryan Birr. (Kaskaskia College Photo)

Ryan Birr. (Kaskaskia College Photo)

Ryan Birr. (Kaskaskia College Photo)

Godsey going from Volunteer State to Belmont U.

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Landon Godsey enjoyed a breakout season in his second year of junior college baseball.

The next step for the 20-year-old Indianapolis native will be NCAA Division I.

Godsey, a 2021 graduate of Southport High School, played 55 games (51 starts) for Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tenn., in the spring of 2023. The righty swinger hit .368 (68-of-185) with eight home runs, 15 doubles, 46 runs batted in, 43 runs scored and five stolen bases.

The 6-foot, 189-pounder with years of remaining eligibility is bound for Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. Castle High School graduate Brodey Heaton and Heritage alum Dalton Wasson played there this spring.

Because of the Pioneers head coach Jim McGuire’s needs at VSCC, Godsey played all but one game this spring at first base and just one at catcher. He says he may be used in the outfield at Belmont, where Dave Jarvis guides the Missouri Valley Conference-member Bruins.

“I love him,” says Godsey of McGuire. “He’s a great coach and a great person. He knows his baseball.”

As a Volunteer State freshman in 2022, Godsey was in 17 games and hit .366 (15-of-41) with two homers, four doubles, 11 RBIs and 19 runs. The Pioneers won 59 games over the past two seasons.

Godsey was in the College Summer League at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind. in back-to-back years — 2021 with the Moon Shots and 2022 with the Turf Monsters.

In 2023, he is playing catcher and first base for the Prospect League’s Cape Catfish in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Scott Little is the manager.

At Southport, Phil Webster was Godsey’s head coach. He  credits the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer for teaching him how to think like a pitcher — which helped when he was on the mound or behind the plate.

No matter his position, Godsey has the same point of emphasis on defense.

“I just focus in on one pitch at a time, don’t look too far ahead and just worry about what’s going on in the present,” says Godsey. At first base, I look at the hitter and see if he’s going to pull the ball or stay down the middle.”

In the batter’s box, Godsey keeps it simple.

“I try not to over-think things,” says Godsey. “I get in there and see-ball, hit-ball.

“I started using that approach in college. That’s worked out good for me.”

Godsey likes to follow some Major League Baseball players. One of them is Mookie Betts.

“(I appreciate) the way he carries himself,” says Godsey. “He’s not a head case either.”

Born in Indianapolis in 2002, Godsey grew up around Southport. 

He played at what is now Edgewood Athletic Association then went into travel ball. He two stints with Indiana Elite and represented the Center Grove Trojans. His last travel team was the Mike Farrell-coached 17U Indiana Mustangs.

After earning an associate degree at Volunteer State, Godsey says he intends to major in Sport Administration at Belmont. He is also considering an Education minor.

Landon’s parents — Paul and Suzanne — were both college athletes. Paul Godsey played baseball at Alice Lloyd College in Pippa Passes, Ky., and is now a vice president of credit services. Suzanne Godsey was in cross country, basketball and softball and Midway (Ky.) University and is now an account.

“I look up to my parents,” says Landon. “Their experiences in the past really help me.”

Brother Nick Godsey (Southport Class of 2025) plays basketball and baseball.

Landon Godsey. (Volunteer State Community College Photo)