Stats

Region IV

May 29, 2007
FIVE PIONEERS VOTED TO ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
The Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference baseball coaches recently
voted five Prairie State College players to the all-conference team.

Sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.) and freshman
second baseman/left fielder Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.) were
selected to the first team, while freshman third baseman Bobby Price
(Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), sophomore infielder/outfielder Tim Wachel
(Lake Central, Ind. H.S.) and freshman pitcher Chris Hendron (Bloom
H.S.) claimed second-team honors.

In 14 conference games, Senko led the Pioneers with a .432 batting
average (16-for-37), 10 runs scored, six walks and 10 stolen bases.
DeYoung, who played in 12 ISCC contests, totaled a .379 batting average
(11-for-29), seven runs scored, six RBIs, four walks and three
sacrifices.

Price hit .317 (13-for-41) with a team-high eight RBIs in 14 games, and
Wachel owned a .250 batting average (8-for-32) with six RBIs, five runs
scored and five walks in 12 appearances.

Hendron posted a 2-1 record with a 5.12 ERA in three outings covering
19.1 innings. He struck out 12 and allowed 20 hits and nine walks. In
victories against McHenry County College and Waubonsee Community
College, the right-hander yielded just one earned run in seven innings
in each game.

Prairie State finished 4-10 in conference play and 9-32 overall.

May 21, 2007
PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE TO HOST THREE BASEBALL TOURNAMENTS
The Second Annual Prairie State College Baseball Invitational, which consists of three eight-team tournaments, will be held at PSC in June and July.

Jeff Zurawicz, head baseball coach at Prairie State, is coordinating the invitational. Zurawicz is currently looking for teams to fill his 18-and-under (June 21-24), 16-and-under (June 28- July 1) and 14-and-under (July 12-15) tournaments.

Each tournament will consist of two four-team pools. All teams will play a minimum of three games as each pool will follow a round-robin format.

First- and second-place finishers will receive team trophies.

For more information, or to register a team, contact Zurawicz at (708) 935-5552.

Prairie State College is located at 202 South Halsted Street in Chicago Heights.

May 12, 2007
PSC’S SEASON COMES TO AN END AT REGION TOURNAMENT
As a result of its two losses at the NJCAA Region IV Sectional Tournament on Saturday in Dixon, the Prairie State College baseball team saw its 2007 season come to an end.

The Pioneers lost 3-0 to Moraine Valley Community College in the opener before falling 5-0 to host Sauk Valley Community College in the second game of the double-elimination tournament. With the setbacks, PSC concluded the campaign with a 9-32 mark.

Freshman Al Landini (Bremen H.S.) pitched well enough to win the Moraine game, striking out four and allowing two earned runs on seven hits and two walks in eight innings. He gave up all three runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Offensively, Prairie State matched the Cyclones with seven hits in Game 1. In addition, the Pioneers placed five runners in scoring position but were thwarted in their attempts to drive them in.

Sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.) led PSC’s offense with two hits against MVCC.

In the Sauk Valley contest, sophomore right fielder Josh Braschler (Crete-Monee H.S.) had two of Prairie State’s three hits. Freshman Chris Leppellere (Marian Catholic H.S.) supplied the remaining hit.

The Skyhawks would get all the run support they needed in the first inning when they grabbed a 1-0 lead. They added two more runs in the fourth and their final two in the eighth.

Freshman starter Chris Hendron (Bloom H.S.) gave up three runs - two earned - and six hits while striking out three in 4.1 innings. Freshman Richard Carter (Rich Central H.S.) pitched the final 3.2 innings, during which time he struck out five and yielded two runs, no walks and five hits.

For the season, Hendron led Prairie State with a 4-3 record and 3.97 ERA. Meanwhile, Carter, who pitched 32.1 innings, paced the team with 38 strikeouts as well as a 1.18 strikeouts-per-inning clip.

May 7, 2007
PRAIRIE STATE EARNS FIRST SWEEP OF SEASON IN HOME FINALE
Although it was its final home appearance of the year, the Prairie State College baseball team experienced several “firsts” against Purdue University-Calumet’s club team Monday afternoon in Chicago Heights.

Headlining the list was the Pioneers’ inaugural sweep of the campaign, which came to fruition after they downed the guests 10-5 and 9-1. In addition, freshmen pitchers Pete Gladstone (Rich East H.S.) and Richard Carter (Rich Central H.S.) authored their first collegiate victories when the tandem tossed complete games in the opener and nightcap, respectively.

Besides the victory, Carter (1-3) became the only PSC hurler this year to crack double digits in strikeouts when he fanned 14 in seven innings. For the year, the right-hander is averaging a team-high 1.15 strikeouts-per-inning as a result of his 34 punchouts in 28.2 frames.

Gladstone and Carter received plenty of offensive support as Prairie State generated 11 hits in each game. Freshman designated hitter Chris Hendron (Bloom H.S.) paced the attack in Game 1 when he went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Sophomore right fielder Josh Braschler (Crete-Monee H.S.) homered and tripled as part of his 2-for-3 showing that also included three RBIs and two runs scored.

Freshman catcher Chris Leppellere (Marian Catholic H.S.) and sophomore shortstop Tim Wachel (Lake Central, Ind. H.S.) were both 2-for-3, with the former contributing two doubles while the latter added three runs scored.

The Pioneers gained control of the game early, scoring three runs in the first inning and four in the third. The Lakers got on the board with a run in the fifth, but PSC responded with one of its own in its half of the inning.

Purdue-Calumet rallied with a four-run sixth, however, Prairie State concluded the scoring with two runs in the bottom-half of the sixth.

Gladstone (1-4) struck out a season-high four batters and scattered eight hits.

The Lakers took their only lead of the afternoon when they scored a run in the top of the first inning in Game 2. After being held scoreless in its half of the first, the Pioneers struck for four runs in the second before adding their remaining five runs in the fifth.

Compiling two hits apiece for PSC were Braschler, freshman second baseman James McKinney (Thornwood H.S.), freshman first baseman Ken Segal (T.F. South H.S.) and freshman third baseman Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.).

DeYoung knocked in three runs, and Segal and Leppellere each had two RBIs. Braschler and McKinney scored two runs.

Along with the 14 strikeouts, Carter allowed four hits and no walks.

Prairie State (9-30) hopes to retain the momentum this weekend when it travels to Sauk Valley College in Dixon for the three-team double-elimination NJCAA Region IV Tournament sectional. On Saturday, the Pioneers face Moraine Valley Community College at 9 a.m. and Sauk Valley at 3 p.m.

May 5, 2007
PIONEERS SPLIT WITH SANDBURG
The combination of sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.), freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and freshman pitcher Chris Hendron (Bloom H.S.) guided the Prairie State College baseball team to a 2-1 victory over Carl Sandburg College in Game 1 of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon in Chicago Heights. But the Pioneers weren’t able to complete the sweep due to an 8-2 loss in Game 2.

In the victory, Senko scored both runs for PSC, while Price recorded the two RBIs.

Senko led off the first inning with a single, stole second and moved up to third on a wild pitch before scoring on Price’s groundout to second to even the game at 1-1. Senko then broke the tie in the seventh inning when he was hit by a pitch and stole both second and third. Price then delivered with a one-out infield single.

Hendron went the full seven innings on the mound to improve his record to 4-2 and lower his ERA to 3.95. Those two totals, as well as his 34 strikeouts for the season, are the top readings on the team.

After allowing one run in the first inning, Hendron blanked the guests the rest of the way. He compiled six strikeouts and gave up five hits and five walks.

In the finale, Sandburg opened up a 5-0 lead after three-and-a half innings, but Prairie State (7-30) scored six unanswered runs to go in front 6-5 after five frames. The Chargers deadlocked the game with an unearned run in the sixth and rallied with two outs and nobody on in the seventh to plate their final two markers.

Sandburg’s pitchers also clamped down, retiring the final nine Pioneer hitters in order.

Freshman second baseman James McKinney (Thornwood H.S.) had two hits, and sophomore right fielder Josh Braschler (Crete-Monee H.S.) knocked in two runs, including one on his first triple of the year.

PSC’s first four hitters, which included Braschler, provided the bulk of the offense in Game 2, going 4-for-11 at the plate (.364), with four RBIs, four runs scored, three walks and one sacrifice fly.

May 2, 2007
PRAIRIE STATE HINDERED BY LACK OF OFFENSE
Scoring runs has been a difficult task for the Prairie State College baseball team recently as the Pioneers were shutout for the second time in three games when they lost 4-0 to South Suburban College on Wednesday in Chicago Heights.

Freshman catcher Chris Leppellere (Marian Catholic H.S.) and sophomore shortstop Tim Wachel (Lake Central, Ind. H.S.) supplied PSC’s two hits in the game when they both singled in their first at-bat.

Freshman pitcher Al Landini (Bremen H.S.) pitched well enough to win. Of the four runs he allowed in 8.2 innings of work, only one was earned. Landini also gave up 10 hits and two walks, while striking out three.

South Suburban took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, and the score would remain that way until the Bulldogs added their final three markers in the ninth.

Prairie State’s record falls to 6-29 with the loss.

April 28, 2007
PSC CONCLUDES CONFERENCE SEASON WITH TWO LOSSES
One run and seven hits were the extent of the Prairie State College baseball team’s offense in Saturday afternoon’s doubleheader against Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. Oakton, meanwhile, totaled 15 runs on 22 hits en route to recording 10-0 and 5-1 victories in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference twinbill.

Freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and freshman shortstop Al Landini (Bremen H.S.) each singled in the opener to account for the Pioneers’ two hits. Landini also added a single in Game 2.

Sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.) was 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the finale. Sophomore pitcher Mike Lundstrom (Crete-Monee H.S.) and sophomore second baseman Tim Wachel (Lake Central, Ind. H.S.) both singled in Game 2.

With the losses, Prairie State finished 4-10 in conference play, which is a three-game improvement over last year’s 1-13 mark. Overall, PSC is 6-26.

April 24, 2007
PRAIRIE STATE ENDS CONFERENCE LOSING STREAK
After starting the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference with a 3-2 record, the Prairie State College baseball team dropped four consecutive decisions in league play to fall to 3-7. The Pioneers, however, got back into the win column Tuesday as they defeated Waubonsee Community College 4-2 before losing 3-2 in the finale of the doubleheader in Sugar Grove.

With the split, PSC moves to sixth among eight teams in the ISCC standings with a 4-8 record. Overall, Prairie State is 6-26.

Freshman pitcher Chris Hendron (Bloom H.S.) upped his record to a team-best 3-2 after earning the victory in Game 1. In his seven-inning complete-game performance, the right-hander struck out three and allowed one earned run, seven hits and two walks en route to lowering his ERA to 4.46.

Hendron worked himself out of a seventh-inning jam when he loaded the bases with one out, but he preserved the win by recording a strikeout and flyout.

The Pioneers opened a 2-0 lead in the second inning courtesy of an RBI double by sophomore designated hitter Tim Wachel (Lake Central, Ind. H.S.) and a sacrifice fly off of the bat of freshman catcher Chris Leppellere (Marian Catholic H.S.).

The Chiefs sliced the difference in half in the third inning when they scored once, but PSC added a pair of runs in the fifth when freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) singled to drive in sophomore second baseman Mike Lundstrom (Crete-Monee H.S.) and sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.). Lundstrom and Senko opened the inning with consecutive singles.

Price and Senko led PSC with two hits apiece.

In Game 2, Waubonsee scored two runs in the fourth inning and one in the fifth to grab a 3-0 lead. Prairie State answered with two runs in the sixth on Price’s RBI single and a run-scoring double by sophomore right fielder Josh Braschler (Crete-Monee H.S.).

Price accounted for two of the Pioneers’ four hits in the nightcap.

Despite the loss, freshman pitcher Mike MacDonald (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) pitched well, yielding one earned run, one walk and nine hits in six innings.

April 21, 2007
NATIONALLY RANKED ELGIN SWEEPS PRAIRIE STATE
With a scoring average of 9.4 runs per game coupled with a pitching staff that has produced a 3.68 ERA, Elgin Community College, ranked No. 9 in the NJCAA Division II national poll, features one of the best all-around baseball teams in the country.

The Spartans (24-5) improved on their statistics and solidified their national ranking after sweeping Prairie State College 12-4 and 15-1 in Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference play Saturday afternoon in Chicago Heights.

In the opener, PSC (5-25, 3-7 ISCC) fell behind 5-0 in the first inning but was able to get to within three runs twice, including in the fourth inning when sophomore right fielder Josh Braschler (Crete-Monee H.S.) hit a two-run homer to cut the difference to 7-4. Elgin, however, scored the final five runs of the game in the next two innings.

Sophomore left fielder Tim Wachel (Lake Central, Ind. H.S.) scored two of the Pioneers’ runs. He was 1-for-1 at the plate with a pair of walks. Freshman catcher Chris Leppellere (Marian Catholic H.S.) and freshman shortstop James McKinney (Thornwood H.S.) also had a hit.

Sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.) singled and scored Prairie State’s lone run in the first inning of Game 2. Elgin, meanwhile, tallied three runs in the top half of the first and pulled away in the third when it plated eight runs. All eight runs were unearned after PSC committed an error to start the inning.

Braschler, Wachel, freshman second baseman Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.) and freshman designated hitter Kenny Segal (T.F. South H.S.) each recorded one hit in the nightcap.

April 19, 2007
PRAIRIE STATE SPLITS WITH BLACK HAWK
Two strong pitching performances helped the Prairie State baseball team earn a split with Black Hawk College on Thursday in Chicago Heights as the Pioneers allowed a total of just five runs in their 3-2 setback in the opener and 9-2 victory in Game 2.

Freshman Richard Carter (Rich Central H.S.) went six-plus innings in Game 1 and struck out a career-high seven hitters. He allowed three runs and six hits. Freshman Pete Gladstone (Rich East H.S.) had his third consecutive scoreless appearance out of the bullpen when he pitched the seventh.

Freshman Mike MacDonald (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) picked up his first collegiate win in Game 2 when he limited the guests to two runs on six hits and one walk in seven innings. His totals also included two strikeouts.

Prairie State grabbed a 1-0 first-inning lead in Game 1 when freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) singled home sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.), who led off with a single. Black Hawk went ahead 2-1 in the second, but the Pioneers knotted the score at 2-2 in the third when Price tripled and scored on freshman shortstop James McKinney’s (Thornwood H.S.) single.

The game remained deadlocked until the seventh when the Braves scored on a sacrifice fly. Carter started the inning but departed after the first two batters reached base.

PSC (5-23) had an opportunity to tie or win the game in its half of the seventh, loading the bases with just one out. But two strikeouts ended the comeback bid.

Price and Senko each had two hits in the loss.

In the second contest, both teams scored a run in both the third and fourth innings, however, Prairie State added four runs in the fifth and three in the sixth to win handily.

Once again, Senko finished with two hits, as did freshman first baseman Kenny Segal (T.F. South H.S.). Freshman shortstop Al Landini (Bremen H.S.) drove in two runs, while Senko, freshman second baseman Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.) and freshman right fielder Sammy Lebron (Chicago) all scored twice.

April 17, 2007
PSC FALLS OUT OF THIRD-PLACE TIE IN CONFERENCE
Needing a victory to remain in a four-way tie for third place in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference standings, the Prairie State College baseball team was swept by Moraine Valley Community College on Tuesday in Palos Hills, losing 12-0 and 10-5. The two setbacks drop PSC to 3-5 in the league and 4-22 overall.

Of the 12 runs the Cyclones scored in Game 1, only three were earned after the Pioneers committed 10 errors.

Sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.), freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), freshman designated hitter Al Landini (Bremen H.S.) and freshman shortstop James McKinney (Thornwood H.S.) all had one hit in the opener.

Prairie State’s offense came to life in the first inning of Game 2, scoring two runs on three hits. That lead, however, wouldn’t hold up very long as Moraine tallied five runs in the second. PSC would be held scoreless until the seventh when it parlayed four hits into three runs.

Senko and freshman second baseman Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.) led the Pioneers’ 12-hit attack with three hits apiece. Price added two hits as well as two RBIs. McKinney also knocked in two runs.

April 14, 2007
PIONEERS GET THIRD CONFERENCE SPLIT OF THE YEAR
Winning Game 1 and losing the nightcap has been the format for the Prairie State College baseball team in each of its three Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference doubleheaders this spring.

The Pioneers' latest conference split came Saturday when they defeated Morton College 5-4 in the opener before dropping Game 2 by a 9-5 count. Along with being 3-3 in the league, PSC owns a 4-20 overall mark.

In the 5-4 triumph, freshman right-hander Al Landini (Bremen H.S.) was credited with his first collegiate victory. He pitched all seven innings, striking out six and allowing nine hits and no walks.

Providing the bulk of the offensive support for Landini was freshman second baseman Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.), who was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI double. Freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and freshman shortstop James McKinney (Thornwood H.S.) both had two hits, while freshman designated hitter Chris Hendron (Bloom H.S.) contributed a single and two RBIs.

Prairie State led Game 1 5-0 after scoring three runs in the first inning, one in the third and one in the fifth. Morton rallied late in the game, plating a pair of runs in the sixth as well as the seventh innings. The Panthers had runners on second and third with two outs in the seventh when Landini registered a game-ending strikeout.

In Game 2, Morton broke a 2-2 tie with a five-run fourth inning. The Pioneers came back with a run in the fourth and two in the sixth to make it 7-5, but the guests closed out the scoring with two markers in the seventh.

Sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.) and freshman left fielder Vince Paliga (T.F. North H.S.) each had two hits. DeYoung, who doubled, supplied three RBIs.

April 13, 2007
PRAIRIE STATE SHUTOUT BY JOLIET
Highlights were at a minimum for the Prairie State College baseball team Friday afternoon against Joliet Junior College as the Pioneers lost 16-0 in five innings in Joliet.

PSC (3-19) retired the Wolves in order in the first inning, but JJC scored three runs in the second, nine in the fourth and its final four in the fifth.

Freshman catcher Chris Leppellere (Marian Catholic H.S.) doubled and freshman designated hitter Chris Hendron (Bloom H.S.) singled for Prairie State's only two hits of the game.

April 10, 2007
PSC RECORDS SECOND CONSECUTIVE CONFERENCE SPLIT
Late-inning scoring along with a strong pitching performance by freshman Chris Hendron (Bloom H.S.) resulted in a 7-1 Prairie State College victory in Game 1 of its doubleheader against McHenry County College on Tuesday in Crystal Lake. But the Pioneers couldn’t get the sweep as they lost 4-0 in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference nightcap.

Sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland H.S.) walked and scored in the first inning of the opener, which was the only run of the game until the sixth when freshman second baseman Nick Fuentes doubled in a pair to put the guests in front 3-0.

The Fightin’ Scots scored in their half of the sixth inning to make it 3-1, but PSC (3-18, 2-2 ISCC) put the game out of reach in the seventh when it tallied four runs on five hits. Senko and sophomore right fielder Josh Braschler (Crete-Monee H.S.) singled and doubled in the seventh, respectively, to conclude Game 1 with two hits apiece. Fuentes also had two hits to go along with his two RBIs.

In addition to his hit total, Senko scored twice and stole two bases in the win. Freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) knocked in two runs and contributed a single to the team’s 11-hit attack.

Hendron became the first multi-game winner on the Prairie State pitching staff, improving his record to 2-1. In his seven-inning complete-game performance, the right-hander allowed four hits and no walks and struck out four, including three in the seventh. By allowing just one run, his ERA dropped to a team-best 3.00.

Senko and Braschler each singled in Game 2 to account for the Pioneers’ hit total. McHenry finished with just four hits off of PSC freshman starter Pete Gladstone (Rich East H.S.), but two came in the first inning and resulted in a pair of runs. The Fightin’ Scots concluded their scoring with two unearned runs in the third inning.

Besides the four hits and two earned runs, Gladstone (0-3), who’s second on the team with a 4.05 ERA, walked two and struck out one in six innings.

April 9, 2007
PIONEERS SPLIT CONFERENCE OPENER
Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference play commenced Monday with the Prairie State College baseball team splitting a doubleheader with the College of Lake County in Chicago Heights. The Pioneers were 6-5 victors in the opener before dropping the nightcap 5-2.

With the 1-1 start, PSC matches its conference win total for the 2006 season, which it concluded with a 1-13 mark.

Prairie State rallied for three runs in the bottom-of-the-seventh inning in Game 1 to erase a 5-3 deficit and earn a come-from-behind victory. The final two runs came on a pair of wild pitches with two outs.

In the decisive seventh inning, freshman pinch hitter Al Landini (Bremen H.S.) singled and was replaced by freshman pinch runner Nick Fuentes (Bremen H.S.), who advanced to second base on the first of three wild pitches in the frame. Sophomore left fielder Tim Wachel (Lake Central H.S.) walked before freshman shortstop James McKinney (Thornwood H.S.) delivered a one-out run-scoring double to pull the Pioneers to within 5-4.

With two outs and freshman first baseman Ken Segal (T.F. South H.S.) at the plate, both Wachel and McKinney would score on wild pitches, enabling sophomore pitcher Mike Lundstrom (Crete-Monee H.S.) a well-deserved win. In his seven-inning complete-game outing, the right-hander allowed two earned runs, no walks and nine hits to go along with one strikeout.

The win improves Lundstrom's season record to 1-3.

PSC was behind 3-0 heading into the bottom half of the fifth but cut it to one run on RBI singles by freshman second baseman Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.) and Wachel.

Both teams scored once in the sixth inning with sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland H.S.) plating the run for Prairie State. Senko walked, stole second and moved up to third and scored on consecutive wild pitches.

Lake County added its final run in the seventh inning to extend its margin to 5-3.

DeYoung topped the Pioneers in Game 1 with a 2-for-3 showing at the plate.

PSC (2-17, 1-1 ISCC) never led in the finale. The guests scored once in the first inning, twice in the second and once more in the fourth to jump ahead 4-0.

Prairie State generated its only offense in the fourth inning when DeYoung singled and went to second on a throwing error. Freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) drove him in with a double, and Wachel followed suit with an RBI double.

Those were the only three hits for the Pioneers in the game, which was halted after five innings due to darkness.

Landini's pitching totals included three earned runs, four strikeouts, six hits and one walk in five innings of work.

April 2, 2007
SEVEN-RUN DEFICIT TOO MUCH FOR PSC TO OVERCOME
Seven unanswered runs in a two-inning stretch paved the way for Moraine Valley Community College’s 8-2 victory over the Prairie State College baseball team Monday in Chicago Heights.

The Cyclones jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning before tacking on six runs in the fourth. PSC got on the board in the fifth when freshman second baseman Nick Fuentes (Bremen H.S.) walked, stole second and scored on freshman third baseman Bobby Price’s (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) single.

After Moraine Valley added a run in the top half of the eighth, the Pioneers (1-16) scored in the bottom of the inning. Price singled, moved to second on a groundout, stole third before being driven in on freshman outfielder Nate Spencer’s (T.F. North H.S.) single. The RBI is the first in Spencer’s collegiate career.

Price paced the offense with a 3-for-4 showing, while sophomore left fielder Tim Wachel (Lake Central, Ind. H.S.) was 2-for-4.

Freshman starter Pete Gladstone (Rich East H.S.) pitched well, allowing two hits and one run in three innings of work. Sophomore Mike Lundstrom (Crete-Monee) and freshman Ken Segal (T.F. South H.S.) held Moraine Valley scoreless for two innings and one inning, respectively, in relief duty.

March 29
EIGHT-RUN FIFTH INNING LEADS TO PSC SETBACK
Following the same script as it did in Wednesday’s 7-1 loss to South Suburban College, the Prairie State College baseball team grabbed a 1-0 third-inning lead Thursday against Joliet Junior College, but was held scoreless the remainder of the game in an eventual 8-1 loss.

Freshman second baseman Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.), whose RBI single against South Suburban gave the Pioneers a 1-0 advantage Wednesday, also knocked in PSC’s lone run against Joliet when he singled home freshman catcher Chris Leppellere (Marian Catholic H.S.).

DeYoung finished 2-for-4 at the plate, marking his third consecutive multi-hit game.  In the three-game stretch, he is hitting .583 (7 for 12) with three runs scored and two RBIs.

Freshman starter Al Landini (Bremen H.S.) coasted through the first four innings, allowing just one hit and retiring the side in order three times.  A lead-off walk in the fifth, however, ignited a rally that saw the Wolves parlay six hits and two errors into an eight-run inning; four of the runs were unearned.  JJC was held hitless the final three frames.

Freshman reliever Mike MacDonald (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) pitched the last two innings and struck out three.

March 28, 2007
SOUTH SUBURBAN SCORES SEVEN UNANSWERED RUNS IN WIN
A third-inning run gave the Prairie State College baseball team a 1-0 lead against South Suburban College on Wednesday in South Holland, but the advantage was short lived as SSC tallied the final seven runs of the game to win 7-1.

Sophomore right fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.) scored the Pioneers' lone run when he led off the third inning with a walk, stole second and came home on freshman shortstop Kyle DeYoung's (Illiana Christian H.S.) single.

DeYoung was PSC’s top offensive player in the contest, finishing 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI. DeYoung, who also was hit by a pitch, reached base safely in all four plate appearances.

Prairie State (1-14), which finished with six hits in all, received singles from sophomore second baseman Tim Wachel (Lake Central, Ind. H.S.), freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and freshman designated hitter Chris Hendron (Bloom H.S.).

Sophomore starter Mike Lundstrom (Crete-Monee H.S.) and freshman reliever Peter Gladstone (Rich East H.S.) combined to hold the Bulldogs to four earned runs. South Suburban’s three unearned runs were the result of four Pioneer errors.

March 27, 2007
PRAIRIE STATE RECORDS FIRST VICTORY OF THE SEASON
After losing 13 consecutive games to start the season, the Prairie State College baseball team cracked the win column Tuesday with an 11-8 victory over Olive-Harvey College in Midlothian.

Both teams scored two runs in the first inning and once in the third, but PSC took the lead for good when it scored two in the fourth to pull away 5-3. The Pioneers increased the margin to 9-3 after a four-run fourth.

Olive-Harvey would not get within four runs the remainder of the game.

Prairie State’s offense, which produced season highs of 11 runs and 13 hits, was paced by freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), who was 4-for-6 at the plate with two doubles, five RBIs, a run scored and a stolen base.

Freshman shortstop James McKinney (Thornwood H.S.) was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. He launched his first collegiate home run in the third inning.

Freshman second baseman Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.) and freshman catcher Chris Leppellere (Marian Catholic H.S.) both had two hits and a stolen base. DeYoung also scored three times, as did sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.).

Freshman Chris Hendron (Bloom H.S.) earned the victory after pitching the first five innings. He allowed three runs - two earned - six hits and three walks while striking out seven to even his record at 1-1.

Freshmen Richard Carter (Rich Central H.S.) and Freddie Luster (Thornwood H.S.) each pitched two innings in relief.

March 22, 2007
PIONEERS CONCLUDE SPRING TRIP WITH LOSS
Slowing the Washington & Jefferson College (Pa.) offense was a difficult task for the Prairie State College baseball team, which lost twice in nearly identical fashion to the NCAA Division III junior varsity squad at the Port Charlotte Invitational in Port Charlotte, Fla. PSC dropped a 21-4 decision to the Presidents in the tournament finale Thursday, five days after losing by a 21-1 count.

In Thursday’s contest, the Pioneers (0-13) totaled a season-best 11 hits, with sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.) and freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) each supplying a pair. Price also scored twice.

Senko, who stole one base to improve to a perfect 7-for-7 in thefts this year, had his second consecutive two-hit game.

Price and Senko rank first and second on the team, respectively, in hitting as they own batting averages of .306 and .278.

March 20, 2007
CHESAPEAKE RECORDS DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP
Two two-out runs in the seventh inning enabled Chesapeake College (Md.) to break a 5-5 tie and hold on for a 7-5 victory over the Prairie State College baseball team in Game 1 of its doubleheader Tuesday at the Port Charlotte Invitational in Port Charlotte, Fla. The Skipjacks then coasted to a 10-0 five-inning win in the finale.

Sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.) and freshman second baseman Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.) both went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base in the opener. DeYoung also contributed an RBI.

Sophomore right fielder Josh Braschler (Crete-Monee H.S.), freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and freshman catcher Chris Leppellere (Marian Catholic H.S.) all had one hit and an RBI.

Freshman right-hander Al Landini (Bremen H.S.) struck out seven in his complete-game effort.

PSC (0-12) had just two hits in Game 2 as freshman center fielder Brian Horne (Lansing) and freshman first baseman Chris Hendron (Bloom H.S.) each singled. The Pioneers got an additional six runners on base during the game via walks and a hit-by-pitch, but they could not crack the scoring column.

March 19, 2007
OTTERBEIN JV SHUTS OUT PRAIRIE STATE
The NCAA Division III preseason baseball poll has Otterbein College (Ohio) as its No. 1 team in the country. Prairie State College got a first-hand taste of just how good the Cardinals are when it lost 10-0 to their junior varsity team Monday at the Port Charlotte Invitational in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Otterbein scored in five-of-six innings, while the Pioneers (0-10) had just four singles for the afternoon. Recording the hits for PSC were sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.), sophomore catcher Tim Wachel (Lake Central, Ind. H.S.), freshman designated hitter Al Landini (Bremen H.S.) and freshman shortstop James McKinney (Thornwood H.S.).

March 18, 2007
PSC OFFENSE HAS ITS BEST SHOWING OF THE YEAR
Since the start of the season March 3, the Prairie State College baseball team has been mired in an offensive slump, scoring just nine runs in the first seven games of the year. But the Pioneers' bats woke up Sunday en route to an 11-run outing in a doubleheader against Sussex County Community College at the Port Charlotte Invitational in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Although PSC orchestrated its best showing of the year at the plate, Sussex walked away with a sweep, winning 17-7 and 5-4.

In Game 1, Prairie State trailed 7-0 but scored five runs in the fourth inning. That would be as close as the Pioneers would get as the Skylanders tacked on three runs in the fifth and seven in the sixth.

Sophomore second baseman Tim Wachel (Lake Central, Ind. HS) had two hits, including a two-run homer, while freshman third baseman Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.) and freshman shortstop James McKinney (Thornwood H.S.) were both 2-for-2 with two runs scored.

A three-run rally by PSC in the seventh frame of Game 2 sent the nightcap into extra innings with the score tied at 4-4. Sussex, however, would score the game-winner on a sacrifice fly in the ninth.

The Pioneers (0-9) were able to send the game into additional frames when freshman catcher Chris Leppellere (Marian Catholic H.S.) and freshman first baseman Kenny Segal (T.F. South H.S.) strung together back-to-back singles in the seventh. Both would come around to score as a result of two wild pitches and a sacrifice fly by freshman left fielder Al Landini (Bremen H.S.).

Sophomore pinch hitter Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.) scored the third run of the inning when he walked, stole second and moved to third on a balk before crossing home plate on freshman left fielder's Sammy Lebron's (Chicago) ground out.

Freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) led Prairie State with a pair of hits.

Freshman pitcher Chris Hendron (Bloom H.S.) had his best outing of the year, giving up four runs - two of which were earned - and six hits while striking out eight in seven innings.

March 17, 2007
PIONEERS LOSE FIRST TWO ON SPRING TRIP
In opening-day play at the Port Charlotte Invitational on Saturday in Port Charlotte, Fla., the Prairie State College baseball team was defeated by a pair of NCAA Division III junior varsity programs, losing 2-1 to Anderson University (Ind.) and 21-1 to Washington & Jefferson College (Pa.).

PSC didn't waste much time to score its lone run in the Anderson contest as sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.) led the game off with a triple and came home on a groundout by freshman second baseman Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.). DeYoung added a single later in the game.

The Ravens tallied single runs in the second and third innings off of sophomore hurler Mike Lundstrom (Crete-Monee H.S.), who struck out five and allowed four hits. Only one of Lundstrom's runs was earned due to a costly error to open the third.

Although the Washing & Jefferson game was decided by 20 runs, the game was deadlocked at 1-1 entering the fifth inning. Senko and DeYoung once again were pivotal in the Pioneers' run, with the former singling, stealing second and moving up another 90 feet on the latter's sacrifice. Freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) followed with an RBI single to knot the game.

But with one out and one on in the top-of-the fifth inning, the Presidents registered a two-run homer to ignite a rally that saw them tack on an additional 18 runs over the next 2 2/3 innings.

The two losses drop PSC to 0-7 for the year.

March 14
KANKAKEE BLANKS PRAIRIE STATE
Several defensive lapses coupled with a limited offense proved to be a fatal combination for the Prairie State College baseball team, which dropped a 10-0 five-inning decision to Kankakee Community College on Wednesday in Kankakee.

Freshman Al Landini (Bremen H.S.) pitched the first four innings and allowed eight runs, but only one was earned as a result of four errors. Landini also struck out a pair and gave up eight hits. Sophomore Mike Lundstrom (Crete-Monee H.S.) pitched the fifth inning.

Sophomore right fielder Josh Braschler (Crete-Monee H.S.) had PSC’s lone hit in the game when he singled in the fourth inning.

After scoring once in their half of the first inning, the Cavaliers plated five unearned runs in the second when they had three hits and took advantage of three Prairie State errors.

In the third inning, KCC tacked on two additional unearned run courtesy of two hits and an error. Kankakee scored its final two markers in the fifth.

Freshman Al Landini (Bremen H.S.) was the tough-luck loser in the 2-1 setback. The right-hander went the distance in his collegiate debut, striking out four and allowing one earned run, six hits and no walks in six innings of work.

The game was scoreless until the bottom-of-the-sixth inning when the Raiders tallied both of their runs. An error to open the frame followed by a single, sacrifice fly and a couple of wild pitches led to the two runs.

But PSC answered in the top of the seventh when freshman shortstop James McKinney (Thornwood H.S.) and freshman catcher Chris Leppellere (Marian Catholic H.S.) led off with consecutive walks before moving up a base on a wild pitch.

After an infield popout, sophomore left fielder Tim Wachel (Lake Central, Ind. H.S.) singled home McKinney. With Leppellere on third, the Pioneers tried a suicide squeeze, but the bunt attempt was popped up to the third baseman, who threw to the shortstop covering third base to complete the double play and end the game.

Along with Wachel, sophomore center fielder Ryan Senko (Highland, Ind. H.S.), freshman second baseman Kyle DeYoung (Illiana Christian H.S.) and freshman first baseman Ken Segal (T.F. South H.S.) all singled.

DeYoung accounted for Prairie State’s lone hit in Saturday’s nightcap, which was stopped after four innings, when he singled in the third.

Three Rivers got all of the offense it would need in the first inning when it plated four runs. The Raiders’ final six runs of the game were all unearned as a result of three PSC errors.

In Sunday’s opener, the Pioneers jumped out to a 2-0 lead after 1 ½ innings. The top of the second started with a single by sophomore leftfielder Josh Braschler (Crete-Monee H.S.) and a Leppellere walk. McKinney advanced them 90 feet after he laid down a sacrifice bunt. Segal and freshman right fielder Brian Horne (Lansing) each knocked in a run after the former reached base on an error while the latter grounded out.

Prairie State’s lead didn’t hold up very long as Three Rivers scored three times in the second. But PSC knotted the game at 3-3 in the top of the fourth when Senko singled home Horne, who singled and stole second with two outs.

The Raiders once again responded, scoring twice in the bottom of the fourth and once in the fifth to win by three.

Three Rivers’ offense showed no signs of letting up in the final game of the series when it produced runs in four of the six innings.

The Raiders led 6-0 after two innings, but a Senko single in the third drove home freshman second baseman Nick Fuentes (Bremen H.S.), who was hit by a pitch and stole second. The deficit was sliced to 6-2 in the fourth courtesy of a Landini double and an RBI single by Segal.

Two runs by Three Rivers in the fourth inning made it 8-2. Freshman third baseman Bobby Price (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) got one of those markers back in the fifth with an RBI single.

The Raiders, who have won nine consecutive games after an opening-day loss, closed out the scoring with four runs in their half of the fifth.

Besides the RBI, Segal also recorded two hits.

The hosts took advantage of the Pioneers’ fielding miscues Sunday, scoring three unearned runs in Game 1 and eight in the finale. Freshman Peter Gladstone (Rich East H.S.) was touched for eight runs in the second game, but he was only charged with one earned run.