Bright Future for IV Baseball
By Daniel Thomson
IV Leader Staff
It may be May, but this year’s IVCC baseball team is holding its hopes high on a very successful season in the upcoming spring.
Head Coach Mark Tellkamp believes that the ability of this year’s squad should see them go very deep into the playoffs.
“Our big strengths will be pitching and hitting” Tellkamp said. “At the moment, there is a question mark over our depth and defense, but we’re working on it and hopefully it won’t be a concern come spring time.”
This year’s mix of returning sophomores, incoming freshman and transfers from other schools sees talent all over the park. The Eagles will return All-Conference first-basemen Adam Bertrand as well as new recruit Kevin Meyer, who was an All-Conference shortstop for Highland Community College last year. Bertrand and Meyer will combine with outfielder Tyler Debornardi and infielder Chad Holloway to provide IVCC with a potent offensive lineup.
The Eagles have high expectations for this year’s pitching staff, with some of the hurlers capable of reaching speeds over 90 mph on the radar gun.
“A few of the guys on the team are going to have interest from professional scouts,” Tellkamp admitted. “I wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of our guys, Brook Meyer and Fabian Gomez, get drafted next year.”
Coach Tellkamp says this year’s group of guys has the ability and attitude to win the Arrowhead Conference crown and be very competitive at the regional tournament.
“We’re expecting two or three more players to join the team from Australia as well, who just might put the icing on the cake,” Tellkamp said.
The team has already begun their fall practice routine with an extra emphasis on weight training and conditioning. They will practice six days a week under the watchful eye of coach Tellkamp.
Tellkamp is joined by former IVCC standout Matt Bates, who will work primarily with the infielders.
The Eagle coaching staff is further boosted by Joe Hall, who is a coach in the Chicago White Sox organization.
IVCC will play some fall games against both junior colleges and four-year institutions.
“This gives the four-year schools a chance to see what our guys can do,” Tellkamp said. “A lot of our guys will likely move on to Division I schools or the professional ranks.”
The Eagles have every reason to be optimistic this season both as a team and individually.
“We’re going to have a very talented team,” Tellkamp said. “With hard work and the right attitude, the sky is the limit.”