Special Thanks to the Argus/Dispatch
March 27, 2002 10:08 PM
RI loaded with `potential'
By Bill Barton, Dispatch/Argus Staff sports writer
Rock Island baseball coach Andy Campbell wavers when he hears the
word ``potential.''
``I think that's a very dangerous word,'' said Campbell. ``I've
seen a lot of teams that had potential, but never lived up to it.''
Nevertheless, the consensus among coaches around the Western Big
6 is the senior-dominated Rocks have the potential to be the conference's elite team this
season.
``They've been waiting on this group,'' said Moline baseball
coach Derek Lindauer. ``If you look at their roster, they've got a lot of talent coming
back. This group has been playing together since they were sophomores.''
Rocky returns seven from last year's squad, which finished 8-2 in
the WB6, including three-year starters Jake Vroman, Nick Carmack, Clayton George and Jim
Wignall. They also return their two conference pitchers, George and Steve Mumma.
``It's important to see how we develop as a team,'' said
Campbell. ``We need our juniors to work in with our seniors, who have been around the
program a while. I like our chances, but I still think Moline is the team to beat until
someone beats them.''
Moline is in more of a rebuilding mode than it has been the last
three years. The Maroons return just five lettermen, most noteably all-WB6 short stop Zach
Esterdahl and all-WB6 pitcher/first baseman Wayne DeSmet, from last year's WB6
championship team.
``We've had a pretty good run the last three or four years,''
said Lindauer. ``It's kind of a different position for us this year. We lost some guys
that are hard to replace. It may take us a month to get going and figure out our best
team.''
DeSmet and Esterdahl will be the building blocks. DeSmet went 7-1
last season with a 1.40 ERA. Esterdahl hit .416, driving in 29 runs.
``I don't know where everyone is going to play yet, but I like
what we have,'' said Lindauer.
Alleman coach Bob DeDoncker also is upbeat about his team,
labeling himself ``cautiously optimistic.'' Returning 10 lettermen from last season, the
Pioneers expect to be particularly strong defensively.
``I think we'll be real strong up the middle,'' said DeDoncker.
``Todd Willers (SS) and Andrew Stontz (2B) is the best combination we've had since I've
been here.''
Justin Wykle, John Brozovich, and Tommy Lenger will get the
majority of repetitions on the mound. Wykle was 4-1 for the Pioneers last season.
``I like this team,'' said DeDoncker. ``If we throw strikes and
keep the ball in the park, we'll be competitive.''
United Township and Geneseo also are hoping their respective
pitching staffs can throw strikes. UT coach Jason Van Houtte readily admits pitching
appears to be his team's weakness.
``We don't have many guys coming back that have a lot of innings
under their belt,'' said Van Houtte. ``We will be inexperienced, but hopefully we can make
up for it with youth and excitement.''
Nate Cox, who pitched just 10 innings last season, is the most
experienced returning UT pitcher. Perhaps Van Houtte also will remind his team of its
surprising 13-2 start last season, though the Panthers dragged home with a 7-11 finish.
``The 13-2 start last season is something we've talked about,''
said Van Houtte. ``We worked hard and it paid off. We're going to go hard at it again and
hopefully play some quality ball by the end of the season.''
Like UT, Geneseo may struggle to find a starting pitching
rotation early.
``We have to improve our pitching if we want to win a conference
championship or regional championship,'' said Geneseo coach Darin Pardoe. ``We've got kids
that are athletic and can compete. We're not there yet, but we can be.''
The Maple Leafs were 6-5 in the NCIC last season and expect to be
chasing Sterling, which returns its core players.
``The one thing about this area is no one is scared of anyone
else,'' said Lindauer. ``We just lace 'em up and go at it.''
Alleman Pioneers
Coach: Bob DeDoncker, 9th season.
Last year: 22-13, 3-7 in WB6.
Returning letterwinners: Todd Willers (SS, .333 BA),
Andrew Stontz (2B, .340), Zach Smith (LF/P, .324), Justin Wykle (3B/P, 4-1, .360), Tommy
Lenger (RF, .350), John Brozovich (P, 1-1), Adam Pagett (C/DH, .380), Jim Swanson (P/1B),
Jordan Rangel (P, 2-1, 3 saves), Ben Kimbell (C).
Promising newcomers: Chris Morlok (OF/3B), Luke Maloney
(OF/C), Ty Schmidt (IF/OF/P), Pat Dusenberry (2B), Chris Moss (P/3B), Dylan Cross (P/1B),
Ryan McGinnis (P/OF), Nate Just (P/OF), Matt Ebner (2B/P), Jeremy Hauer (OF/P), Ben DeRoo
(IF/P).
Geneseo Maple Leafs
Coach: Darin Pardoe, 3rd season.
Last year: 18-14, 6-5 NCIC.
Returning letterwinners: Justin Putnam (IF, all-NCIC),
Brad Heller (IF), Jon DeBruine (1B), Phil Snyder (IF/OF), Jameson Ryley (P), Jake Stohl
(P/OF), Mike Yenor (C), Brad Parker (IF).
Promising newcomers: Eric Wedge (DH), Nathan Beuster
(OF/P), Erik Norin (OF), Brent Kincaid (P), Kurt Krapfl (P), Brent Werner (C).
Moline Maroons
Coach: Derek Lindauer, 10th season.
Last year: 26-6, 9-1 in WB6.
Returning letterwinners: Zach Esterdahl (SS, all-WB6),
Wayne DeSmet (P/1B, all-WB6), Brent Anderson (OF), Emilio Gomez (P/OF), Tom Folbert (OF).
Promising newcomers: Jake Bevans (C), Curt Berry (3B),
Austin Minor (2B), David Krismanits (1B), Andrew Porter (P), Jeff Folbert (OF), Brandon
Engle (P).
Rock Island Rocks
Coach: Andy Campbell, 3rd season.
Last year: 24-12, 8-2 in WB6.
Returning letterwinners: Nick Carmack (IF, all-WB6), Jake
Meisenbach (C, all-WB6), Clayton George (P/DH, all-WB6), Jake Vroman (OF), Jim Wignall
(IF), Steve Mumma (IF/P), Josh Walker (OF/P), Jason Amble (OF), Ryan Anderson (P).
Promising newcomers: Chase Stephens (P/IF), Grant Snyder
(P/OF), Mike Leonard (IF), Tyler Wentler (IF), Luke Depron (OF), Chris Watters (P), Tom
DeBroeck (OF/P), Denver Schmitt (OF), Drew Devore (C), Justin Morelock (P), Andrew
Guentner (P/OF).
UTHS Panthers
Coach: Jason Van Houtte, 2nd year.
Last year: 19-13, 3-7 in WB6.
Returning letterwinners: Ben Sacco (1B), Nate Cox (P/OF),
A.J. Cavazos (OF), Aaron Garcia (3B), Matt Bowman (2B).
Promising newcomers: Cory Resetich, Jason Pena, Ryan
Rafferty, Kyle Stanton, Kyle Dirck (CF), Mark Ramos (SS).
Copyright 2002, Moline
Dispatch Publishing Co.
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