2016 BASEBALL MEDIA GUIDE

Message from President Widmer Heartland Community College is in for another exciting season of Hawks baseball. On behalf of everyone at HCC, we wish them continued success. The Mid-West Athletic Conference champs went 27-8 in their conference last year winning their sixth straight conference title and had 40 plus victories overall for the seventh straight season. The 2016 team hopes to have a record just as impressive. Athletics is one example of the varied Heartland student life program. Participating in intercollegiate sports helps students prepare for life beyond the classroom and value collaboration, diversity and leadership. We’re proud of our program and athletes who regularly contribute to their school and communities. Please join me in wishing the 2016 Hawks baseball team the best of luck this spring!

Rob Widmer

President, Heartland Community College

Message from Nate Metzger, Athletic DirectorHeartland Community College is proud to begin its ninth season of intercollegiate competition in the National Junior College Athletic Association. We look forward to upholding HCC’s winning tradition this year.

Heartland’s student athletes have established a strong tradition of exemplary sportsmanship and have provided excitement to the overall student life experience. Whether you are involved in Heartland Athletics as a spectator or as a participant, you are sure to enjoy the thrill and passion of intercollegiate sports.

Our on-the-field competitors share the same high academic standards as their fellow classmates and we expect their graduation rates and grade point averages to reflect their commitment to education.

Thank you for your support and GO HAWKS!

Nate Metzger

2016Spring Schedule

DATE DAY OPPONENT PLACE TIME

Feb. 25 – 28 Thurs – Sun Pepsi Classic Florence, SC TBA

March 4 Friday Triton (DH) Home 2 PM

March 8-12 Tues-Sat 2016 RussMatt Central Florida Invitational Winter Haven, FL TBA

March 15 Tuesday Lakeland (1-9) Home 3 PM

March 18 Friday Danville Area CC* (DH) Danville, IL 4 PM

March 19 Saturday Danville Area CC* (DH) Home 1 PM

March 25 Friday Illinois Central College* (DH) Home 3 PM

March 26 Saturday Illinois Central College* (DH) East Peoria, IL 1 PM

March 30 Wednesday Southeastern Iowa CC* (1-9) Home 4 PM

April 1 Friday John Wood CC* (DH) Home 3 PM

April 2 Saturday John Wood CC* (DH) Quincy, IL 2 PM

April 6 Wednesday Augustana (DH) Rock Island, IL 4 PM

April 8 Friday Vincennes (DH) Home 3 PM

April 10 Sunday Vincennes (DH) Vincennes, IN 2 PM EST

April 12 Tuesday Kankakee CC (1-9) Home 3:30 PM

April 15 Friday Parkland CC* (DH) Home 1 PM

April 16 Saturday Parkland CC* (DH) Champaign, IL 1 PM

April 20 Wednesday Southeastern Iowa CC (1-9) W. Burlington, IA 4 PM

April 22 Friday Lincoln College* (DH) Home 3 PM

April 24 Sunday Lincoln College* (DH) Lincoln, IL 1 PM

April 26 Tuesday Elgin CC (1-9) Home 6 PM

April 27 Wednesday South Suburban (1-9) Home 3:30 PM

April 30 Saturday Spoon River CC* (DH) Canton, IL 1 PM

May 1 Sunday Spoon River CC* (DH) Home 4 PM

May 4 Wednesday Elgin CC (1-9) Elgin, IL 3 PM

May 6 Friday Lewis & Clark CC* (DH) Godfrey, IL 2 PM

May 7 Saturday Lewis & Clark CC* (DH) Home 1 PM

May 10 Tuesday Oakton CC (1-9) Home TBA

May 13 Friday Land CC* (DH) Home 2 PM

May 14 Saturday Lincoln Land CC* (DH) Springfield, IL 1 PM

May 19-22 Thurs - Sun Region 24 Tournament Springfield, IL TBA

May 28-June 4 Sat - Sat NJCAA D-II World Series Enid, OK TBA

* Indicates Mid-West Athletic Conference opponent.Gold indicates home game;

(DH) indicates double headers.

All home games will be played at the Corn Crib unless otherwise stated.The stadium is at 1000 W. Raab Rd. in Normal, east of Heartland’s main campus.

Visit www.heartland.edu/athletics for the most current schedule.

Daniel WasingerC, 6’1”, 185, S/R, SOEl Paso, TX

Marcus PingletonOF, 5’10”, 190 , R/R, RS -SOKokomo, IN

01 02

Mitch EllisMIF, 6’2”, 175, S/R, SODiamond Creek, Australia

03

Thomas Hall OF/1B, 6-0, 185, L/L, FR Pendleton Heights, IN

04

Noah Sadler OF/LHP, 6-2, 195, L/L, SO Mukwonago, WI

05

Michael BainbridgeIF/OF, 6’1”, 185, L/R, SO Crete, IL

07

Nate Anderson OF, 6-1, 185, L/L, FR Mukwonago, WI

08

Alex BalterC, 6’1”, 195, R/R, SODavie, FL

09 10

Collin RidoutIF/RHP, 6’2”, 185, L/R, SO McHenry, IL

Kolton VermillionRHP, 6’3”, 225, R/R, SO Rantoul, IL

11

Max GrayRHP, 5’10”, 175, R/R, SOIndianapolis, IN

12

Connor SorgeOF, 6’1”, 185, R/R, SOWest Des Moines, IA

13

Tyler HasperRHP, 6’0”, 200, R/R, SONaperville, IL

14

Myles HannIF, 6’1”, 195, R/R, SOLafayette, IN

15

Josh Fewell 3B/1B/OF, 6-2, 210, L/R, FR Kokomo, IN

16

2016

ROSTER

Kolton VermillionRHP, 6’3”, 225, R/R, SO Rantoul, IL

Brian Schrimmer RHP, 5-11, 175, R/R, FR Vernon Hills, IL

Travis AuerRHP, 5’11”, 180, R/R, RS-FR Normal, IL

Jordan Johnston RHP, 6-2, 200, R/R, FR Lockport, IL

Austin Moralis LHP, 6-1, 170, L/L, FR Lockport, IL

Ryan Taylor C/UTI, 6-0, 185, R/R, FR Downers Grove, IL

Thomas Bushnell OF/RHP, 6-2, 190, R/R, FR Tinley Park, IL

Matt Miller RHP, 5-10, 180, R/R, RS-SOAurora, IL

25 27

Andrew Sykes LHP, 6’2”, 190, L/L, SOValparaiso, IN

Jonathan Blackwell IF, 5-11, 170, R/R, FR Chandler, IN

29

Colin Holderman RHP, 6-5, 220, R/R, SO Bourbonnais, IL

30

Patrick Smith LHP, 6-2, 195, L/L, FR Schaumburg, IL

31

Tyler Schmidt OF/LHP, 6-2, 180, L/L, FR Croswell, MI

32

Edgar Sanchez IF/OF, 6-1, 180, R/R, FR Montgomery, IL

33

Matthew DwyerRHP, 6’0”, 170, R/R, SOEdwards, IL

34

Brenden Curry RHP/UTIL, 5-10, 180, R/R, FR Elkhart, IN

35

David Llorens LHP, 6-4, 190, L/L, FR Grayslake, IL

36

24

2317 18 2221

Zach Speaker IF/OF, 6-4, 210, L/R, RS-FR New Lenox, IL

37

Hunter Cook 1B, 6-0, 270, R/R, RS-FR Anderson, IN

Tyler Hutchinson RHP, 6-5, 210, R/R, FR Sorento, IL

Welby Malczewski LHP, 6-6, 240, L/L, RS-FR Mt. Prospect, IL

38 40 44

BASEBALL COACHES2

016

Nate Metzger, Head CoachEntering his ninth season as the head baseball coach at Heartland Community College, Nate Metzger has compiled a 371-91 (.803) record, including a 203-45 (.818) record in Mid-West Athletic Conference (M-WAC) play and a 170-29 (.854) mark at home.

Under Metzger’s direction, the Hawks have advanced to the NJCAA Division-II World Series three times, including a third place finish in 2012 and a fourth place finish in 2013. They have been nationally ranked by the NJCAA every season, while holding a number one national ranking in 2011 and 2012. Metzger’s teams have also captured six straight M-WAC regular season championships and have won 40 plus games for seven straight seasons.

Metzger has coached:• 11 NJCAA All-Americans, including four First Team All-Americans• 25 All-Region 24 players• 48 All-Conference players• 22 Academic All-Conference selections• 11 Academic All-Americans• Three straight Region 24 Tournament Most Valuable Players (2011, 2012 and 2013) • Nine Rawlings Gold Glove award winners

Metzger graduated from NAIA Greenville College. He lives in Normal with his wife Sarah and daughters Shelby Maddux and Morgan Aaron.

Justin Hauer, Pitching CoachJustin Hauer is beginning his second season as pitching coach at Heartland Community College. Hauer comes to HCC from Black Hawk College in Moline where he served as the Braves pitching coach and recruiting coordinator in 2013-14. Justin spent the previous year at Illinois State University as the undergraduate assistant for Head Coach Mark Kingston.

Hauer played collegiately at ISU during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. He led the Redbird pitching staff in appearances while earning All-Missouri Valley Conference Honors. Justin played two years at Black Hawk College in 2009 and 2010. In both seasons, he served as a starting pitcher and second baseman and was named team captain in 2010.

Nick Magnifico – Assistant CoachFirst year hitting coach, Nick Magnifico, was a two-year starter at John Wood Community College. A shortstop, he hit .325 with 38 RBIs in his sophomore campaign. Nick graduated from Missouri State University in 2011 with a degree in kinesiology.

Magnifico became the head baseball coach at his high school alma mater in Lexington, Missouri. In his brief time there, he guided the team to a 14-win season, improving on a previous 4-win season. Nick also coached the elite traveling summer team, the Midwest Heart, leading them to a 52-12 record.

During the summer Nick will serve as the hitting instructor/first base coach of the Holly Springs Salamanders of the Coastal Plains League in North Carolina.

Greg Mote, Assistant CoachGreg Mote begins his second season as an assistant baseball coach at HCC. From 2009-2012, he was the head coach of the Bloomington Renegades, a travel baseball team in the Bloomington-Normal Baseball Association.

The Lincoln, Illinois native was a four-year starter at middle infield for Illinois State University. As a sophomore, Mote set the squad’s single season record for doubles with 22, was a second team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection, an All-Midwest Second Team pick and made the Missouri Valley Conference All-Tournament Honorable Mention team.

Greg and his wife, Bridget, live in Normal with their children, Madeleine, Billy and Jacob.

Luke Mottashed – Assistant CoachLuke Mottashed starts his first season as an assistant baseball coach.

A Heartland Community College alum, he was a two-year year starter on the Hawks baseball team from 2009-2011. As catcher, he helped lead the Hawks to their first NJCAA College World series with a .384 average and 46 RBIs his sophomore season. Luke was selected as a member of the All-MWAC 2nd team.

While playing for the Southern Illinois Salukis, Luke contributed to the team’s second place finish in the 2012 MVC Tournament. He graduated in 2014 with a sport administration degree with a focus on kinesiology.

Mottashed coached a 16U travel team, the Illinois Stix, and coordinated summer camps at Cary-Grove from 2008-2012. He also worked with Harry D. Jacobs High School for two summers, organizing baseball camps and coaching the summer baseball team.

Josh Kauten, Assistant Coach and Strength and Conditioning CoordinatorJosh Kauten starts his eighth season with the Heartland baseball program. He served as the Hawks’ pitching coach his first six years.

Kauten was a pitcher at Kirkwood Community College before transferring to Illinois State University where he pitched for two seasons. In 2004, Kauten was selected in the 11th round by the Detroit Tigers in the Major League Amateur Draft. After spending half a season in Short Season A-ball, Kauten spent the next two seasons split between the West Michigan White Caps (Tigers A affiliate) and the Lakeland Tigers (Tigers High A affiliate).

Kauten works for Four Seasons Health Club in Bloomington and resides in Normal with his wife Emily and daughter Norah.

1500 W. Raab Rd. • Normal, IL 61761 • 309.268.8000

www.heartland.edu