Sophomores provide leadership for Apaches
By Holli L. Rapp
Charlie Riva, Jesse Arjes, Eric Markey all have something in common. They are the returning sophomores on the Apaches' baseball team.
Riva, a first baseman, who graduated from St. Bede Academy, is batting .311 with 2 home runs for the Apaches. Growing up in Peru, as the middle child of Louie and Rose Riva, he learned to play baseball when he was young.
"I started minor league when I was 6 years old," said Riva. "But right out of the hospital (when he was born), I’m sure my dad was handing me a bat and a ball."
Riva decided to play for the Apaches because he wanted to continue with baseball beyond high school and help turn around the program at IVCC. Last year, the Apaches had a 5-39 record. At this point, the Apaches have already more than tripled the wins.
Riva said that the team is much better this year because of the freshmen and transfers.
"Coach Koop (Bob Koopmann) did a hell of a job recruiting for this season," Riva said. "He’s turning the Titanic around."
Koopmann compares Riva to Mark Grace, who is Riva’s favorite player.
Riva thinks one of his strengths is that he knows the game very well from a mental standpoint. The first baseman also says that he can catch on to new techniques very quickly but he was quick to mention that he needs to work on his speed.
The head coach says that Riva is stronger this year due to a weight lifting program the first baseman worked on with Fitness Center Director Tony Ruda. Riva hit only .189 last year.
Riva doesn’t just do it with the bat, according to his head coach, he also is playing decent defense.
Riva, who is majoring in education with hopes of one day becoming a teacher and coaching football and baseball, is transferring to Illinois State University in the fall.
Like Riva, Arjes is planning to transfer to ISU but Arjes is going to major in finance.
The outfielder, who is from West Brooklyn, graduated from Mendota High School which is where his most memorable baseball moment happened. That moment was, Arjes said, "In the state finals, my junior year when I made a grab in left center."
Growing up in a small town and not having anything else to do are the reasons why Arjes started playing baseball. Arjes is the oldest of four children.
A reserve outfielder, Arjes has not been starting for reasons the coach said Arjes understands.
"He’s struggled," said Koopmann.
On April 14, however, Arjes came out of a slump with a 2 for 3 showing with 2 RBIs in the Apaches 5-3 win over Augustana JV.
Arjes lists his favorite player as former White Sox third baseman and current Met Robin Ventura.
Arjes agrees with Riva that the team is much better than last year’s team.
Eric Markey rounds out the three returning sophomores. Markey, a graduate of Ottawa Marquette, is known for his versatility on the Apache team.
His head coach says that he could play 2nd, short, or 3rd. Markey has played most of the season at 3rd base.
After batting .216 last year, Markey has also improved to .300 this year.
Bunting is the quality that stands out in Koopmann’s mind about Markey.
"He’s our best player for bunting," said Koopmann.
Markey, whoalso pitched last year for the Apaches, came to IVCC because he wanted to keep playing ball.
Markey said he knows what he will do next year but wants to keep it to himself.
Markey does have one wish. "We want people to come and watch us in the playoffs starting Thurs. April 29 in Joliet. We would like to have the support out there."
Like Riva, Markey started playing baseball when he was young.
"I started when I was 5," Markey said. "I loved to watch the Cubs. My mom said I could even recite people's stats because I watched it so much."
"If I went to war, I would want those three on my side," said Koopmann, of Riva, Arjes, and Markey.
The Apache April 29, 1999