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Page 1: Miners 2010 Preview
Page 2: Miners 2010 Preview

2 THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 MINERS 2010 PREVIEW www.thesouthern.com

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS MINERS 2010 SEASON OUTLOOK

BY TODD HEFFERMANTHE SOUTHERN

Southern Illinois hurlerRyan Bird got a pitcher’sdream in the 2010 offsea-son.

The 2008 Frontier LeaguePitcher of the Year got amore experienced catcherand a more explosive lineupfor his third season inMarion. Ernie Banks, lastyear’s league sluggingleader, and Stephen Head, aformer AAA outfielderfrom the PhiladelphiaPhillies organization, wereamong Miners managerMike Pinto’s acquisitionsafter Southern Illinois fin-ished 56-40.

Banks finished fifth in theleague with 24 home runsand batted .343 in 54 gameswith the Washington (Pa.)Wild Things last season.Head played in 74 gameslast year for the ColumbusClippers, Cleveland’s AAAaffiliate, and hit .246 with16 doubles and six homeruns before getting re-leased.

Southern Illinois’ lineupwas pretty good withoutthem. Veterans Brad Millerand Jereme Milons hit .296and .285 last year, respec-tively, and could give the

Miners’ arms more confi-dence than ever.

“It kind of gives you, as apitcher, that confidencethat if you can pitch six orseven innings and not giveup much more than two orthree runs, you have a greatchance to get a win,” saidBird, who had the sixth-best ERA in the league lastyear at 3.48. “It gives youthe confidence to go afterguys, and not just try topick spots.”

Bird, last year’s ace, willstart the season on theinjured list with stiffness inhis throwing shoulder.Pinto said it might takeuntil the end of May to get

everything worked out, butexpected the 5-foot-10righty to be a big player inthe Miners’ push back tothe playoffs. Bird won aleague-record 17 straightdecisions between 2008-09 and is 22-10 as a Miner.

Southern Illinois came atiebreaker away from earn-ing its second straightpostseason appearance in2009. The Miners won 11 of13 games between Aug. 18and 30, but were only ableto split their last six homegames with West Divisioncontenders Windy City andRiver City. River Cityreached the league finals,where it lost in five games

to expansion team LakeErie (Ohio).

This year, the Minersappear to have all the piecesof a championship con-tender, not just a playoffcontender.

Starters Joey Augustine,Eric Fussell and BrettScarpetta won a combined14 games last year. Bird went9-7. Relievers Jake McMur-ran and Mike Damchuk weremore than effective. Cat-cher Brendan Akashian isback behind the plate twoyears after hitting .302 andleading Southern Illinois toa 45-22 record with him inthe starting lineup.

The Miners were 13-16without him, but still madethe playoffs.

“That’s a big piece for us,”Pinto said. “You look backat our record with Akashianin, and it’s not even close.He’s a clubhouse leader.”

Akashian said he justhopes not to mess up thechemistry of the groupwhen the season kicks offThursday night at homeagainst River City.

“I think this team is builtto win,” he said, “and I justhope to help out.”

[email protected]

Some-timesthe

things apersondoesn’t sayare themosttelling.

A weekbefore theSouthernIllinoisMiners

were scheduled to open theregular season, managerMike Pinto announcedstaff ace Ryan Bird wouldbe placed on the disabledlist. Pinto said Bird couldbe sidelined about a monthto relieve a “tweak” in hisshoulder.

Bird is the best startingpitcher in Miners’ history.

Yet, Pinto made theannouncement without ahint of panic in his voice.First, Bird’s medical issueappears to be minor.Second, this isundoubtedly the bestpitching staff Pinto hasever assembled.

Of course, one can neverhave too much pitching.But, in this, the fourthseason in Miners’ history,the team appears to haveenough quality depth toweather the rigors of a 96-game season, injuriesand possible signings withaffiliated teams.

Joey Augustine will takeBird’s spot at the top of therotation. Ryan Kussmaul,who was arguably theMiners’ best starter downthe stretch last year,probably won’t be used inthe rotation for the firstcouple weeks of the season.

And, the bullpen figuresto be just as strong.

Jake McMurran and MikeDamchuk, both of whomhave been used as closers,probably won’t be used inthose roles this year. Atthis point, right-handerBrent DeFoor, who spent2009 in the Chicago WhiteSox organization, will bethe Miners’ Opening Daycloser.

That pitching staff willbe the foundation for whatcould be, and possiblyshould be, the best teamthe Miners have ever puton the field.

Pinto will put aformidable lineup on thefield, including JoeyMetropolous, last season’sFrontier League MostValuable Player, BradMiller and Jereme Milons.

Just as importantly, theMiners will have BrendanAkashian back behind theplate. Akashian hit betterthan .300 for the Minerstwo years ago beforesigning with thePhiladelphia Philliesorganization.

However, Akashian’s batis not his biggest attribute.

Akashian is an on-fieldleader. There were timeslast year when the Minersseemed starved for an on-field leader. In addition,Pinto is thrilled with theway Akashian handles thepitching staff.

As always, Pintopromises the Miners will bea strong defensive team.

With Akashian behind theplate, Milons in center anda double-play combinationof Javier Brown and BradNetzel, Southern Illinois isstrong where it needs to be.

This lineup will produceruns. The projected lineuphas Akashian, a former.300 hitter, batting eighth.

The Miners have power.Even the spaciousdimensions of Rent OnePark will hold this lineup.

The Miners have speed.The huge alleys in left-center and right-centershould lead to lots ofdoubles. This team shouldalso be able to steal bases.

And, with Milonspatrolling center field,Miners pitchers can pitchto contact with impunity.

Everyone is optimistic inthe preseason. But, thisteam has the potential tobe the best in the briefhistory of the Miners.

LES WINKELER is the sportseditor for The SouthernIllinoisan. Contact him [email protected], or call 618-351-5088.

‘Built to win:’ Team has high hopesDETAILSThe Southern Illinois Miners acquired or returned

five All-Stars from last year. Here is a quick look atthose returning all-stars on the Miners’ roster as ofSunday:

Ryan Bird, RHP: The 2008 Frontier League Pitcher ofthe Year will start the season on the injured list.

Javier Brown, 2B: Played last year with Evansville andRockford.

Joey Metropoulos, OF: 2009 Frontier League MostValuable Player tied for league lead in home runs (31).

Brad Miller, 1B/DH: Hit .296 with 19 doubles, twotriples, 13 home runs and 74 RBIs.

Tony Roth, SS: Will start season on injured list withshoulder problems.

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOMiners fans routinely pack Rent One Park, which will host the 2010 Frontier League All-Star Game.

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTORyan Bird pitches last year against the Traverse City BeachBums. Bird will start the 2010 season on the injured list.

OFFTARGET

LES WINKELER

Miners look set for big year

Page 3: Miners 2010 Preview

THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 3www.thesouthern.com MINERS 2010 PREVIEW

MINERS POSITION PREVIEWS: IN THE FIELD

BY TODD HEFFERMANTHE SOUTHERN

Good baseball teams arealways strong up the middle, and the heart ofthe Southern IllinoisMiners’ defense could bethe best in the FrontierLeague.

Second baseman JavierBrown, an all-star atEvansville last year whocould hit lead-off for theMiners this season, hasinjected a bit of athleticisminto the fourth-year squad. In the team’s firstpreseason game againstRiver City, the 6-foot,180-pound righty made adiving stop to his right, andthen started a 4-6-3 dou-ble play with a bare-hand-ed toss to shortstop BradNetzel.

Netzel, a short- or long-term fill-in for the injuredTony Roth, hit .286 in 14games with the Miners lastyear, and gives the Miners apretty good blueprint fordouble plays. SouthernIllinois turned 71 double

plays last year, the sixthlowest in the league.

“I love the way Netzel

and Brown have played inthe middle,” Miners man-ager Mike Pinto said. “You

guys have seen some of theplays Brown has made.Some spectacular plays.And they’re making all theroutine plays. And then Iput (Jereme) Milons incenter field? That’s a sea-soned pro, so, it’s a prettysolid middle.”

All-star Brad Millerappears to have the insidetrack to start at first baseafter hitting .296 last year,but could be pushed by2009 slugging leader ErnieBanks.

Third base could be arotation, rather than a racein the preseason.

“I really have five guysvying for that role, and itwill come down to, really,who gets hot and showsconsistency with their at-bats, consistency in thefield,” Pinto said. “I think,with the lineup that wehave this year, defense ispremier there, because Ihave a bunch of guys thatcan swing the bats.”

[email protected]

BY TODD HEFFERMANTHE SOUTHERN

Right field appears to bethe only open spot in theSouthern Illinois outfield.

Defending FrontierLeague Most ValuablePlayer Joey Metropouloswill either start at designat-ed hitter or in left when theMiners open the seasonagainst River City. Thecover boy of SouthernIllinois’ media guide madethe league’s all-star teamfor the second straight yearin 2009. The 6-foot-2,285-pound right-handertied for the league lead with31 home runs and made thetop 10 in average (.317), RBIs(82) and slugging percent-age (.651).

Metropoulos alreadyowns Miners records forcareer homers (60), RBIs(180), hits (263), doubles(54) and walks (101).

Starkville, Miss., nativeJereme Milons returns incenter field after hitting.285 with 15 home runs and72 RBIs. In his first seasonin Marion, Milons set afranchise record with 38stolen bases in 44 attempts.

“I’ve got a lot of guys that

I can put out there,” Minersmanager Mike Pinto said.“There have been a coupleguys who have jumped outat us, but we’ve got somedepth there, and … we cansteal a base, and we can hitthe ball out of the ballpark.”

Anna resident StephenHead could bolster one ofthe Miners’ most experi-enced units. The lefty spent

last year with the ClevelandIndians’ AAA franchise inColumbus, Ohio, and is a.263 pro hitter in five years.

Head, one of five veteranson the roster as of Sunday,could give the Miners evenmore diversity in the out-field.

“We’ve really got a nicebalance of guys who willtake a pitch, good on-base

percentage guys, and that’sbig,” Pinto said. “That addsup. You get to a starter,maybe get to the bullpen alittle bit earlier, you get toguys that are not, maybe, asstrong as earlier in thegame, and that’s how youblow games open.”

[email protected]

BY LES WINKELERTHE SOUTHERN

MARION — To saySouthern Illinois managerMike Pinto is comfortablewith Brendan Akashianbehind the plate is anunderstatement.

Akashian was the Minersregular catcher in 2008.The left-handed hittingNew Englander played in the Philadelphia Phil-lies organization last sea-son.

“First of all, he brings areal tenacity to how heplays the game,” Pinto said.

“He’s an old-school, hard-nosed ballplayer. He calls areal good game. Pitchershave confidence throwingto him.”

Defensively, Pinto saidAkashian is as good as any-one in the Frontier League.He had just six errors in 69games with the Miners in2008.

“(Getting him back,)that’s a difference makerfor us,” Pinto said. “Look atour winning percentagewith Brendan Akashianbehind the plate. Thenumbers are staggering.”

Akashian was also a

strong offensive performerfor the Miners, hitting hit-ting .302 with 32 RBIs anddrawing 46 walks in 266 atbats. His .442 on-basepercentage was 11th in theleague.

Then, there are theintangibles.

“As a manager, you wanta guy on the field thatknows what’s going on,”Pinto said. “I have a lot ofconfidence that when I goto the mound and ask hisopinion, he’s going to tellme.”

Cody Neer, who playedat the University ofNebraska, will be Aka-shian’s backup. Neer hit.292 his senior season atNebraska. He had threehits in six at-bats in a briefstint in the NorthernLeague last year.

“His biggest challenge ishe doesn’t know our pitch-ers or our league,” Pintosaid. “That takes time. Hecan swing the bat.”

[email protected]

Infield defense strong up the middle

STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERNSouthern Illinois infielder Brad Netzel throws to first base onan attempted double play in an exhibition game against theGateway Grizzlies on May 12 at Rent One Park in Marion.

Outfield is one of most experienced units

STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERNJoey Metropoulos gets a fist bump from teammate Will Block after scoring a run last season.

Akashian returns, gives Miners solid catching

STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERNBrendan Akashian gets set for the first pitch during theMiners’ exhibition game May 12 against the Gateway Grizzlies.

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Page 4: Miners 2010 Preview

4 THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 MINERS 2010 PREVIEW www.thesouthern.com

MINERS POSITION PREVIEWS: ON THE MOUND

BY LES WINKELERTHE SOUTHERN

MARION — First, the badnews.

Ryan Bird, the FrontierLeague pitcher of the yearin 2008, will open the sea-son on the disabled list.

Now, the good news.The Southern Illinois

Miners’ starting pitching isso deep that even with Birdsidelined for a coupleweeks, it’s likely that RyanKussmaul, who was argu-ably the Southern IllinoisMiners’ best starting pitch-er down the stretch lastyear, won’t be in the start-ing rotation for the firstcouple weeks of the season.

The Miners have off daysbuilt into the first coupleweeks of the season, mean-ing manager Mike Pinto willprobably go with a four-man rotation.

The Miners will start theseason with a rotation of Joe

Augustine, Brett Scarpetta,Eric Fussell and DustinBrader.

“Joey Augustine did agreat job for us last year (7-5, 3.50 ERA),” Pinto said.“ He was in the top-12 ERA.He’ll be our opening daystarter.

“All four guys give me achance to win when I writetheir name on the lineupcard. They’re all consistent.They’re all strike-throw-ers.”

When games start pilingup, Kussmaul is likely to bethe fifth starter.

“He has exceptionalstuff,” Pinto said. “He getsthe ball up there at about 94miles per hour with late lifeon the ball.

“Last year, he was 4-1 inthe last month of the sea-son. If that’s my fifth guy,that’s not horrible.”

Scarpetta returns to therotation after compiling a7-4 mark last year.

“He’s extremely compet-itive on the mound,” Pintosaid. “I really like guys whowant to compete. A guy getson base and they turn it up.”

Brader and Fussell are thetwo newcomers in the mix.Pinto is particularly excitedabout the addition ofFussell. The lanky right-

hander last pitched forWindy City in 2007 beforesuffering a hip injury.

He was 12-2 with a 3.26ERA in 2007.

Brader comes to theMiners from the TexasRangers’ organization.

All the starters fit into theMiners’ philosophy ofpitching to contact.

“Generally, we put anexceptionally strong de-fense on the field,” Pintosaid. “With a great defenseand a big ballpark, whywouldn’t you go with thatphilosophy?”

And, the Miners could bebolstered by Bird’s returnthree or four weeks into theseason. Bird has a “tweak”in his shoulder.

“He’s not in pain,” Pintosaid. “There is some stiff-ness in the shoulder hecan’t seem to get rid of.”

[email protected]

BY LES WINKELERTHE SOUTHERN

MARION — When itcomes to the bullpen, theSouthern Illinois Minersshould be well-armed(pun fully intended) thisseason.

The bullpen has provenperformers in Jake Mc-Murran, Mike Damchuk,Ryan Kussmaul and BrentDeFoor. McMurran, Dam-chuk and Kussmaul areholdovers from last year.DeFoor joins the Minersafter two years in theChicago White Soxorganization.

DeFoor made twoappearances in AAA lastyear. Overall, DeFoor was3-2 with a 2.67 ERA in theWhite Sox organization.He compiled seven saves.

“He is a strikemachine,” said Minersmanager Mike Pinto.

DeFoor is expected tohandle the closer’s role, atleast early in the season.

That opens up inningsin mid- to late-game sit-uations for McMurran.The rubber-armedMcMurran appeared in 41games last year, compil-ing a 1.76 ERA.

“That’s pretty darnedstrong,” Pinto said. “Bothof those guys have beenworkhorses for us.McMurran gave up threeearned runs after July 1 forus last year.”

Another newcomer inthe bullpen is formerSaluki Shawn Joy. Joypitched for Traverse Cityin the Frontier League lastyear, and gave up justthree runs in the final twomonths of the season.

Joy will be the lone left-hander in the bullpen.Pinto is not concernedwith that disparity.

“The most importantthing to me is to havegood arms, guys that canget outs,” he said. “I workmatchups heavily. It’s notalways lefty vs. lefty. Iknow what the matchupsare. We try to put them in a spot where they can have the most suc-cess.”

The Miners manageralso likes the familiarityhe has with McMurran,Damchuk and Kussmaul.

“I know them,” he said.“I know what I’m gettingfrom them.

“I’ve got some guys Ican hand the ball to in thelatter part of the ballgameand they can get somethings done.”

[email protected]

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOJoe Augustine delivers a pitch to a Kalamazoo batter during a game last season at Rent One Park in Marion.

Bullpen should giveteam plenty of relief

Bird or no Bird, rotation appears deep

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTORyan Bird waits for a signfrom the catcher last yearagainst Traverse City.

CLICK & CONNECT: Formore coverage of theMiners, visit our websiteat www.thesouthern.com.

Page 5: Miners 2010 Preview

BY TODD HEFFERMANTHE SOUTHERN

Two new franchises hopeto orchestrate what LakeErie was able to pull off in2009.

The first-year Crushersfinished the regular season57-38, a half-game back ofKalamazoo in the EastDivision, and then won twoelimination games on theroad to win the FrontierLeague title.

The Normal CornBelters,an expansion team that willplay in a 7,000-seat stadi-um named the Corn Crib,and the Oakland CountyCruisers hope for similarbeginner’s luck in theleague’s 18th season.

The CornBelters, man-aged by former majorleague player/manager HalLanier, open the seasonFriday at Evansville.

The Cruisers, a renova-tion of the Midwest Slidersof the 2009 season, expectto open a new stadium afterthis year and will spendmost of this season on theroad. The Cruisers will hostat least 18 games in theDetroit area, and as of thispast weekend, were stillhoping to land a site for athree-game set betweenAug. 10 and 12. They areexpected to open the4,200-seat Diamond at theSummit in WaterfordTownship, Mich., after theAll-Star break in mid-July.

Lake Erie lost its threeprimary starting pitchers,including league pitcher ofthe year Paul Fagan, butreturns its entire infield andcatcher from 2009. Fagan,who led the league with 14regular-season victories, isnow playing for the Newark(N.J.) Bears of the AtlanticLeague. Frontier LeagueChampionship Series MostValuable Player AndrewDavis is back at third base.Second baseman AndrewSaylor, who hit .302 with ateam-high 26 doubles and62 RBIs, also returns.

Rockford left the FrontierLeague, which led to a newdivisional lineup. TheSouthern Illinois Minerswill join former WestDivision foes Evansville,Gateway and River City inthe new South Divisionwith Florence and Normal.Kalamazoo. Lake Erie,Oakland County, TraverseCity, Washington andWindy City are now in theNorth Division.

Here’s a quick preview ofthis year’s teams:

North Division

Lake Erie CrushersManager: John MassarelliStadium: All Pro Freight

Stadium (5,000)2009 record: 63-42,

Frontier League champs Leading hitter 2009: 3B

Andrew Davis .327, 25 2Bs,7 3Bs, 15 HRs, 68 RBIs

Leading pitcher 2009:Paul Fagan 14-3, 2.70 ERA,

22 GP, 20 GS, 33 BBs, 83 KsOutlook: The defending

champs should be back inthe mix. Fagan is gone, butthe Crushers return Davis,the championship seriesMVP, and their entireinfield in their secondseason.

Kalamazoo KingsManager: Jamie KeefeStadium: Mayor’s

Riverfront Park (4,006)2009 record: 60-41,

won East Division, lostdivision series to Lake Erie3-2

Leading hitter 2009: OFJosh Short .360, 16 2Bs,1 3B, 9 HRs, 46 RBIs

Leading pitcher 2009:John Brownell 11-5, 3.48ERA, 20 GP, 20 GS, 46 BBs,106 Ks

Outlook: The Kings ledthe league with a 4.18 teamERA and return sevenplayers from last year’sstaff.

Oakland CountyCruisers

Manager: Eric ColemanStadium: Diamond at the

Summit (4,200), set toopen after all-star break

2009 record: 42-54 asMidwest Sliders

Leading hitter 2009: 1BJimmy Baker .310, 18 2Bs,1 3B, 16 HRs, 53 RBIs

Leading pitcher 2009:Michael Penn 7-5, 4.57ERA, 16 GP, 16 GS, 26 BBs,76 Ks

Outlook: The convertedSliders franchise will playmostly on the road thisseason, and even withBaker back, could strugglein the North Division.

Traverse CityBeach Bums

Manager: GreggLangbehn

Stadium: Wuerfel Park(4,685)

2009 record: 42-53Leading hitter 2009: 1B

John Alonso .319, 18 2Bs,2 3Bs, 15 HRs, 52 RBIs

Leading pitcher 2009:Kevin Reese 8-7, 4.64 ERA,20 GP, 18 GS, 18 BBs, 81 Ks

Outlook: The Beach Bumstied for second-worst inthe league with 66 homeruns last year. Withouttheir top three bombersfrom 2009, Traverse Citymust get baserunners.

Washington Wild Things

Manager: Darin EversonStadium: CONSOL

Energy Park (3,200)2009 record: 43-53Leading hitter 2009: 2B

Michael Parker .298, 222Bs, 2 3Bs, 5 HRs, 40 RBIs

Leading pitcher 2009:Jason Neitz 7-7, 5.61, 20 GP,19 GS, 28 BBs, 70 Ks

Outlook: The Wild Thingscleaned house on themound, with only have onereturning pitcher. RBI kingJacob Dempsey returns inthe outfield after driving in95 runs in 96 games.

Windy CityThunderBolts

Manager: Mike Kashirsky

Stadium: Standard BankStadium (2,598)

2009 record: 56-43,finished second in WestDivision, lost divisionseries to River City 3-0

Leading hitter 2009: 1BJ.T. Restko .334, 23 2Bs,1 3B, 18 HRs, 76 RBIs

Leading pitcher 2009:Ross Stout 13-5, 2.94 ERA,21 GP, 21 GS, 35 BBs, 138 Ks

Outlook: Gilberto Mejia,the league’s stolen baseleader, returns to set thetable for the ThunderBolts.Windy City also has J.T.Restko to drive him in andtwo big pitchers in NickHall and Matt Jernstad.

South Division

Evansville OttersManager: Wayne

KrenchickiStadium: Bosse Field

(5,110)2009 record: 28-66,

worst in the FLLeading hitter 2009: 2B

Javier Brown .296, 14 2B,2 HRs, 19 RBIs

Leading pitcher 2009:Dustin Renfrow 5-9, 5.64ERA, 21 GP, 17 GS, 36 BBs,80 Ks

Outlook: The Ottersfinished last in their

division for the thirdstraight year in 2009 andlost their top hitter, topstarter and top reliever.

Florence FreedomManager: Toby RumfieldStadium: Champion

Window Field (5,000)2009 record: 49-47Leading hitter 2009: OF

Ryan Basham .313, 25 2Bs,16 HRs, 64 RBIs

Leading pitcher 2009:Everett Saul 12-7, 5.23 ERA,23 GP, 22 GS, 49 BBs, 105Ks

Outlook: The Freedomcould be formidable withthe return of big boppersBilly Mottram and JustinPickett and their top starterin Everett Saul. Mottramhad 23 home runs and ledFlorence with 30 stolenbases.

Gateway GrizzliesManager: Phil WarrenStadium: GCS Ballpark

(6,000)2009 record: 40-54Leading hitter 2009: OF

Joseph Scaperotta .291, 15

2Bs, 1 3B, 22 HRs, 62 RBIsLeading pitcher 2009:

Mark Brackman 6-10, 4.93ERA, 20 GP, 20 GS, 38 BBs,112 Ks

Outlook: With noScaperotta, who retired,and no Charlie Lisk, theGrizzlies will be forging anew identity in 2010.

Normal CornBeltersManager: Hal LanierStadium: Corn Crib

(7,000)2009 record: N/A,

expansion teamLeading hitter 2009: N/ALeading pitcher 2009: N/AOutlook: The last three

new franchises in theFrontier League havefinished with an averagerecord of 45-51.

River City RascalsManager: Steve BrookStadium: T.R. Hughes

Ballpark (5,191)2009 record: 61-41, won

West Division, beat WindyCity in division series, lostto Lake Erie inchampionship series 3-2

Leading hitter 2009: 3BRyan Wehrle .317, 16 2Bs,4 HRs, 37 RBIs

Leading pitcher 2009:Josh Lowey 9-2, 2.94 ERA,24 GP, 14 GS, 43 BBs, 75 Ks

Outlook: The Rascalsreturn two of their toppitchers in Josh Lowey andJason Lowey. Last year’srunners-up added formerMiners outfielder StephenHoldren and return tophitter Ryan Wehrle.

Southern IllinoisMiners

Manager: Mike PintoStadium: Rent One Park

(3,611, plus lawn seating)2009 record: 56-40Leading hitter 2009: Joey

Metropoulos .317, 22 2Bs,31 HRs, 82 RBIs

Leading pitcher 2009:Ryan Bird 9-7, 3.48 ERA,18 GP, 18 GS, 32 BBs, 97 Ks

THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 5MINERS 2010 PREVIEWwww.thesouthern.com

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Page 6: Miners 2010 Preview

6 THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 MINERS 2010 PREVIEW www.thesouthern.com

MEET THE MINERS: 2010 ROSTER

BRENDAN AKASHIAN

#33, Catcher6-1, 215

JAVIER BROWN

#2, Infielder6-0, 180

CODY NEER

#14, Catcher6-3, 215

BRAD NETZEL

#11, Infielder6-2, 185

MARK KELLY

#41, Catcher6-4, 205

JOE AUGUSTINE

#21, Pitcher6-3, 215

ERNIE BANKS

#35, Infielder6-4, 240

MIKE DAMCHUK

#23, Pitcher6-3, 220

BRENT DEFOOR

#1, Pitcher6-2, 175

TREVOR FOX

#17, Pitcher6-6, 225

RYAN KUSSMAUL

#38, Pitcher6-4, 185

TODD MARTIN

#22, Outfielder6-3, 220

JAKE MCMURRAN

#26, Pitcher6-2, 200

JUSTIN RANDALL

#10, Infielder6-0, 205

TONY ROTH

Infielder (Inj. List)6-0, 185

BRETT SCARPETTA

#34, Pitcher6-4, 190

RYAN BIRD

#13, Pitcher (Inj. List)5-10, 180

WILL BLOCK

#8, Infielder5-10, 180

DUSTIN BRADER

#32, Pitcher6-4, 220

ERIC FUSSELL

#28, Pitcher6-4, 210

STEPHEN HEAD

#19, Outfielder6-3, 220

ROBERT HEDRICK

#44, Pitcher6-1, 185

JOEY METROPOULOS

#31, Outfielder6-1, 240

BRAD MILLER

#27, Infielder6-5, 220

JEREME MILONS

#30, Outfielder6-2, 205

CHRIS STEWART

#36, Pitcher6-0, 196

JESSE WIGHT

#15, Outfielder6-2, 185

NOT PICTURED:

ERIC BARRETT

#45, Pitcher6-3, 205

NATE HALL

Infielder5-10, 185

SHAWN JOY

#37, Pitcher6-0, 188

MIKE PINTO

#3Manager

BART ZELLER

#29Pitching Coach

RALPH SANTANA

#20Hitting Coach

SOUTHERN ILLINOISCOACHING STAFF