April 3, 2012

All-Decade team: Where are they now?

Quick question: what are the top two Sports Illustrated issues that you look forward to each year? The range is set wide enough that one of your answers is probably the “Where are they now?” issue, and for good reason. It’s pretty great. That tried and true formula has been emulated, adapted and celebrated for decades.

The Minors spotlight this week is CNU's Kenny Moreland.
CNU athletics photo

Around the Nation has been tracking down the 16 players from D3baseball.com’s All-Decade First Team and their coaches since January. Unfortunately, some players and coaches proved elusive. However, participation in the project was high thanks to the invaluable help of sports information directors, athletic directors and coaches. But it would not have been possible without the players themselves, not only for their support of the project but for the impetus behind the column – their exemplary play on the field.

Where are a majority of the D3baseball.com All-Decade First Team players now? Find out after these weekly messages.

My top 5 games of the week (April 4-10):
 April 4: No. 17 Cortland St. vs. St. John Fisher SJF's lost to Cortland since '04; '12 Cards able.
 April 5: No. 11 Keystone vs. No. 25 Neumann CSAC at stake; KC is 11-1 all-time against NU.
 April 6: No. 3 Christopher Newport vs. No. 18 Shenandoah SU leads series 7-5 since 2009.
 April 6: La Verne vs. Cal Lutheran SCIAC co-leaders play 3 for conference/Pool A lead.
 April 7: Bridgewater (Va.) vs. Lynchburg BC's 2.75 ERA vs. LC's 8.6 rpg for ODAC edge.

My top 25 ballot (D3baseball.com rank):
 Stats, musings and folly valid through Sunday, the poll’s cutoff
 1 (1). Trinity (Texas) – Rested Tigers hit the road for first time in 2 weeks.
2 (2). Marietta – Reliever Lindquist’s return bolsters 3 sub-1.00 ERA starters.
3 (3). Christopher Newport – Huge win at Salisbury, USAS showdown looms.
4 (7). St. Thomas – Possibly country’s toughest schedule through March.
5 (15). Adrian – 4 shutouts in last 6 games; 4 losses by a combined 6 runs.
6 (10). Wheaton (Mass.) – Held Babson to 11 runs but lost 2 of 3.
7 (6). Kean – Scored 7 runs with 5 extra-base hits in 2-2 week.
8 (4). Salisbury – Outscoring opponents 197-74 through 24 games.
9 (8). UW-Stevens Point – 67 hits and 45 runs in 4-game UW-Stout series.
10 (12). Misericordia – Lost last week but 50-19 record from 2011 to present.
The rest of my ballot: St. Joseph’s (Maine), DePauw, Piedmont, Cortland, Keystone, Ramapo, Illinois Wesleyan, Rowan, Aurora, Concordia (Texas), Alvernia, Shenandoah, Concordia Chicago, Neumann, Washington & Jefferson

Last Team Standing: Ramapo, which had its last loss on March 21.

Last Team Sitting: Caltech (0-23), Rust (0-15), Crown (0-6). 

Minors spotlight:
 Christopher Newport pitcher Kenny Moreland, Single-A Advanced Frederick Keys (Orioles): Moreland signed with the Orioles after a four-year career at Christopher Newport (2005-08). Moreland was named the D-III Pitcher of the Year after going 13-0 with a 1.97 earned run average and 116 strikeouts in 109.2 innings pitched. He was a four-time all-conference and D3baseball.com and an all-decade second team selection after finishing his collegiate career with a 35-9 record with a 2.25 ERA and 378 K in 359.1 IP. CNU went 97-67 during Moreland’s four years and reached regionals in 2008. Moreland holds the CNU career records for pitching appearances, innings pitched, wins, earned run average and strikeouts.

Moreland spent all of 2011 in a relief role for Carolina League champion Frederick, ending the year second on the team with 36 appearances. He finished the season 2-0 with a 3.41 ERA, one save and 41 K in 60.2 IP. Moreland was a starting pitcher in 55 of his 59 appearances from 2008-10. He won a Pitcher of the Week award in 2010 at the Class A level. For his four-year pro career Moreland is 27-18 with one save, a 3.70 ERA and 284 K/52 BB in 379.1 IP.

Jeremiah Bayer P Jeremiah Bayer, Trinity (Conn.)

Career (2008-09): 21-1, 1.07 ERA, 176.1 IP, 165 K
Highlights: Drafted by the Red Sox in the 30th round in 2009, 2008-09 All-America, 2009 D-III Pitcher of the Year, won 2008 D-III national championship, D-III career ERA leader, D-III 2009 ERA title (0.85), Trinity record .186 career opponent average
Trinity (Conn.) coach Bill Decker: “Jeremiah was a transfer [as a junior from Division-I Vermont]. He needed a change of scenery. Jeremiah came here and worked. I think he kind of got a second chance to be a student-athlete. And for us he was a workhorse. He did whatever he was asked to do and he did it with a blue-collar approach. He’s very much a fierce competitor. He was a breath of fresh air to be around.”

P Matt DeSalvo, Marietta

Career (1999-2003): 53-6, 1.79 ERA, 395.2 IP, 603 K
Highlights: Pitched for the Yankees and Braves, 2001 D-III Player of the Year, 2003 D-III Pitcher of the Year, 2000-01 and 2003 All-America, D-III career leader 59 starts, D-III career wins leader, D-III career strikeout leader, D-III second all-time career innings, D-III fourth all-time 5 hits per 9, D-III season record 205 K, D-III second all-time 17 season wins, 2000 D-III strikeout title (138), 2001 D-III strikeout title (205), 2003 D-III strikeout title (157), 2000 D-III wins title (13), 2001 D-III wins title (17), 2003 D-III wins title (13)
Marietta coach Brian Brewer: “One of the most dominant pitchers in the history of college baseball. Big-league fastball, plus slider and filthy changeup. Could not throw his change in games because our catchers could not catch it.”

P Ryan DiPietro, Eastern Connecticut

Career (2002-04): 29-3, 1.50 ERA, 258 IP, 336 K
Highlights: Drafted by the Royals in the sixth round in 2005, 2004-05 All-America, 2004 D-III Co-Pitcher of the Year, 2005 New England Region Pitcher of the Year, D-III third all-time 162 K season, D-III fifth all-time 5.53 career hits per 9, D-III ninth all-time career ERA, D-III 10th all-time career strikeouts, won 19 consecutive games in 2003-04, struck out 19 batters in 2004 game
Residence: Wallingford, Conn.
Age: 27
College major: General Studies
Occupation: Still trying to play minor league baseball (seven years) 
Personal: Married, no children
Hobbies: All sports
Favorite D-III baseball memory: Watching teammates celebrate after walk-off win vs. UW-Whitewater.

P Devin Drag, Chapman

Career (2004-07): 30-2, 1.80 ERA, 261.1 IP, 240 K
Highlights: Drafted by the Nationals in the 37th round in 2007, 2006-07 All-America, 2007 D-III Pitcher of the Year, D-III fourth all-time 16 season wins, 2006 D-III ERA title (0.82), 2007 D-III wins title (16), Chapman career leader 11 complete games, 30.1 consecutive scoreless innings in 2006
Residence: Corona del Mar, Calif.
Age: 28
College major: Business Administration (Chapman University), MBA (University of La Verne)
Occupation: Outside Processing Specialist at Control Components Incorporated (CCI)
Personal: Married
Hobbies: Ice hockey, baseball, spending time with friends and family
Favorite D-III baseball memory: Honestly there are too many, but one that really sticks out is during the regional my senior year. We had to win both games against Pacific Lutheran on the final day to advance to the World Series. I threw my second complete game of the regionals to help us move to the final game. We won the next game behind Wayde Kitchens’s 1-0 shutout, which was one of the gutsiest performances I can remember, in a situation where it all counted.  
Chapman coach Tom Tereschuk: “Devin Drag was a super competitor and a dominating presence on the mound. We would use him as both a closer and a starter. In this capacity he was able to put together a 16-win season in his senior season to lead the nation. This was after posting a 0.84 ERA in his junior year that also led the nation. Devin was a machine and an outstanding leader by example. It was also nice to know that whenever he was in the game the opponent would be completely shut down.”

Josh Schwartz P Josh Schwartz, Rowan

Career (2002-05): 38-3, 2.03 ERA, 315 IP, 305 K
Highlights: Drafted by the Cardinals in the 42nd round in 2005, 2004-05 All-America, 2005 Mid-Atlantic Region Pitcher of the Year, D-III record 37 consecutive wins, D-III fifth all-time career wins, went 26-0 from 2004-05, Rowan record eight career shutouts
Residence: Blackwood, N.J.
Age: 29
College major: Health and Exercise Science
Occupation: Health and PE teacher in Deptford, N.J., pitching coach at Gloucester County (New Jersey) College 
Personal: Engaged to Laura Doyle, wedding in August, no kids
Hobbies: Playing tennis
Favorite D-III baseball memory: Beating Alvernia in the Regional final in 2005 to go back to the Division-III World Series, and last career college start in Appleton against Hampden-Sydney at the College World Series in 2005.
Former Rowan coach John Cole (now at the University of Pennsylvania): "Josh was the best competitor I have ever coached. The bigger the game the better he would pitch. He was very consistent in his career as proven by his NCAA record 37 wins in a row! He was a student of the game and was a coach on the field. They don't make many like him."

C Jay Coakley, Marietta

Career (1999-2002): .436 AVG, 272 R, 262 H, 53 2B, 4 3B, 58 HR, 265 RBI, .827 SLG
Highlights: 2000-02 All-America, 2002 Mideast Region Player of the Year, D-III third all-time career RBI, D-III third all-time season 93 RBI, D-III fifth all-time career HR, D-III seventh all-time 497 career total bases, 2000 D-III HR title (20), 2000 D-III RBI title (93), 2000 D-III total bases title (173)
Marietta coach Brian Brewer: “A man among boys. Plus catcher and professional hitter. Incredible power to all fields.”

1B Drew Caravella, Ohio Wesleyan

Career (1999-2002): .445 AVG, 200 R, 297 H, 65 2B, 5 3B, 53 HR, 293 RBI, .796 SLG
Highlights: Drafted by Tigers in 23rd round in 2002, 2002 D-III Player of the Year, D-III career RBI leader, D-III second all-time career hits, D-III second all-time 1,550 career putouts, D-III third all-time 531 career total bases, D-III sixth all-time 89 RBI season, D-III seventh all-time career HR, 2001 D-III RBI title (82), 2002 D-III batting title (.534)
Residence: Columbus, Ohio
Age: 31
College major: Economics management
Occupation: Affluent Administration Manager
Personal: Married, two daughters
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and our girls, home renovations, working out, following major league and Ohio Wesleyan baseball 
Favorite D-III baseball memory: Playing Allegheny in the first round of the 2002 NCAC Tournament and winning the first game on a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning.
Former Ohio Wesleyan coach Roger Ingles (now OWU athletic director): “Drew Caravella was a humble, modest and dedicated player who made his team great! I knew he would be a great player the first time I watched him play. He is special! It was an honor to write his name in the lineup for four years. He was the best hitter I have ever seen! Drew was even more impressive as a man than as a player. He was first class all the way. Drew was a pure hitter who had remarkable power along with a picture-perfect swing. Most teams refused to pitch to him during his senior year, which made his awesome numbers even more remarkable. He hit everyone. Ohio Wesleyan played a lot of Division-I teams and other scholarship programs during his time and Drew punished them all. Drew had the complete package as a player with all of the tools. He made my job a whole lot easier for four years.”

2B Jeremy Jirschele, UW-Oshkosh

Career (2002-05): .383 AVG, 177 R, 253 H, 53 2B, 8 3B, 15 HR, 161 RBI, .556 SLG
Highlights: Drafted by the Royals in the 30th round in 2005, 2004-05 All-America, selected to WIAC all-time team, 2004-05 WIAC Position Player of the Year, WIAC second all-time career hits, WIAC second all-time career doubles
Residence: [Not stated]
Age: 29
College major: Organizational Administration
Occupation: Assistant baseball coach at UW-Stevens Point, private lessons instructor
Personal: Married to Jennie; three children: Keagen, Taelyn, Paetyn
Hobbies: Hunting, boating on the lake, spending time with my family
Favorite D-III baseball memory: Winning the regional final game to go to the World Series and getting the walk-off hit in extra innings to send us there.
UW Oshkosh coach Tom Lechnir: “Jeremy Jirschele had outstanding hands on defense – always made the routine play and made the big play when needed. Offensively, he hit ball to all fields and was a tough out.”

3B Jake Frank, Wooster

Career (2001-05): .413 AVG, 218 R, 265 H, 59 2B, 13 3B, 35 HR, 224 RBI, .709 SLG
Accolades: 2003-05 All-America, 2003 Mideast Region Player of the Year, four-time All-Mideast Region, D-III third all-time 19 career sac flies, D-III 11th all-time career runs, D-III 13th all-time career RBI
Wooster coach Tim Pettorini: “Jake was one of the finest players we have ever had at Wooster. Offensively and defensively he was very, very talented. From the day he stepped on campus until his final at-bat, Jake was always prepared and did everything in a first-class manner.”

 SS Ian Hauze, DeSales

Career (2002-05): .386 AVG, 188 R, 246 H, 53 2B, 8 3B, 22 HR, 174 RBI, .579 SLG

Highlights: 2003 and 2005 All-America, 2005 Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Year, 2003 Freedom Co-Player of the Year, DeSales career leader in games (171), at-bats (638), runs, hits, RBI and assists (501)
Residence: Philadelphia, Pa.
Age: 28
College major: TV/Film
Occupation: Aspiring actor/writer
Personal: Single
Hobbies: Jogging, writing, traveling
Favorite D-III baseball memory: The entire experience; the good, the bad and the in-between. The elation I shared with my teammates in 2003 (won regionals and went to the World Series) was something I'll hold onto forever.
DeSales coach Tim Neiman: “Ian may have been the most clutch player ever to wear a DeSales uniform. He hit a walk-off home run in the 2005 Regional versus Messiah, a team that featured Chris Heisey. Definitely the guy you wanted at the plate with the game on the line. At shortstop, Ian made every routine play look easy and had a knack to make a great play when needed. He wasn't the greatest practice player, but when the bell rang for game time, he was simply the best.”

Tony Konicek OF Tony Konicek, Gustavus Adolphus

Career (2004-07): .440 AVG, 135 R, 228 H, 53 2B, 12 3B, 31 HR, 178 RBI, .768 SLG
Highlights: 2006-07 All-America, 2006 Midwest Region Player of the Year, 2006-07 MIAC MVP, 2007 D-III slugging title (.895), three-time All-MIAC, Gustavus career leader in average, runs, hits, triples, RBI
Residence: St. Peter, Minn.
Age: 26
College major: Business Management
Occupation: Strategic Account Manager - Corporate Graphics International
Personal: Single
Hobbies: Playing sports (baseball, softball, basketball), camping, traveling
Favorite D-III baseball memory: Sweeping St. Olaf at St. Olaf, freshman year.
Gustavus coach Mike Carroll: “Tony Konicek was one of the best all-around players in the MIAC four straight years. He had great wrists and the ability to hit deep in the count, could hit for power and average, with way above-average ability to drive in runs. A very good fielder, he got great jumps on the ball and had an excellent arm. One thing that goes unnoticed at times with players is their ability to run the bases. He was one of the best – not fast – but very smart.”

Vince Mancuso OF Vince Mancuso, UW-Oshkosh

Career (1999-2003): .377 AVG, 174 R, 195 H, 33 2B, 7 3B, 36 HR, 171 RBI, .677 SLG
Highlights: 2003 D-III Player of the Year, selected to WIAC all-time team, 2003 D-III runs title (67), 2003 D-III total bases title (144), three-time first-team All-WIAC, batted .465 with 17 HR, 70 RBI and .929 SLG in 2003
Residence: Pewaukee, Wis.
Age: 32
College major: Health and Physical Education (undergrad), Teaching and Learning (masters)
Occupation: Teacher of Health and Physical Education, head varsity baseball coach, assistant power lifting coach, instructs private baseball lessons
Personal: Married to Jona Mancuso — No kids, just dogs
Hobbies: Anything that has to do with the outdoors, trail riding bikes with my wife, going up north at our cabin, reading, watching college football and movies, golf, coaching youth sports
Favorite D-III baseball memory: Relationships with teammates, road trips, looking down the left-field line to see where my dad (who attended almost all my games) was sitting and hugging Coach Tom Lechnir by the press room along the third base line after the World Series game and thanking him for what he has done for my development as a baseball player, but more importantly molding me into a man throughout my college career. 
UW Oshkosh coach Tom Lechnir: “Vince Mancuso had great leadership skills and made everyone around him better. He played injured almost his entire career. Great make-up – as competitive a player I have ever coached. Vince carried us on his back to the World Series in 2003. He delivered in clutch situations consistently and Vince was one of four Oshkosh players to win national Player of Year honors.”

OF Eric Swedberg, Worcester State

Career (1999-2003): .467 AVG, 148 R, 202 H, 54 2B, 13 3B, 46 HR, 208 RBI, .942 SLG
Highlights: 2000-02 All-America, 2001 New England Region Player of the Year, 2000-02 MASCAC Player of the Year, 2000 D-III slugging title (1.060), won 2000 MASCAC triple crown (.500 AVG, 16 HR, 59 RBI)
Residence: Worcester, Mass.
Age: 32
College major: Spanish BA, Spanish MA
Occupation: High school teacher of foreign languages, head baseball coach
Personal: Married, three children
Hobbies: Spending time with family, fishing, brewing beer
Favorite D-III baseball memory: Beating Bridgewater State in the MASCAC tournament to clinch an NCAA berth my senior year.
Worcester State coach Dirk Baker: “Eric Swedberg was a three-time All-American and MASCAC Player of the Year, two-time Academic All-American, and captain of the 33-9 NCAA Tournament team of 2002. But he was an even better person. He sprinted out his home runs, was back running less than two weeks after knee surgery, played outfield and catcher, spoke four languages, and was a clutch performer. He hit 46 career home runs, but he left more of his mark in the classroom and on his teammates.”

DH Jose Cortez, Pomona-Pitzer

Career (2000-03): .452 AVG, 214 R, 259 H, 61 2B, 2 3B, 70 HR, 253 RBI, .932 SLG
Highlights: Drafted by the Phillies in the 14th round in 2003, 2000-03 All-America, 2002-03 West Region Player of the Year, D-III career HR co-leader, D-III second all-time career slugging, D-III third all-time 534 career total bases, D-III fourth all-time career RBI, D-III 2000 HR title (0.46 per), D-III 2003 HR title (0.51 per), D-III 2001 RBI title (1.83 per), D-III 2003 walks title (1.15 per)
Residence: Claremont, Calif.
Age: 31
College major: Organizational Studies
Occupation: Enterprise Rent-A-Car, management
Personal: Married to Annemarie Cortez, son – Anthony born Dec. 14, 2011
Hobbies: Watching baseball, coaching, visiting friends, spending time with family
Favorite D-III baseball memory: Hitting a grand slam against cross-town rival Claremont-Mudd-Scripps to start a late comeback my sophomore year.
Pomona-Pitzer coach Frank Pericolosi: “In my 17 years of coaching and playing Division-III baseball, Jose Cortez is the most dangerous hitter I have seen. He had power to all fields from both sides of the plate and he was the most patient and disciplined hitter that I have coached. To top that off, he was a competitor, a winner and a great team guy.”
Former Pomona-Pitzer coach Paul Svagdis (now at Azusa Pacific University): “First, his personal qualities are outstanding. His fierce competitiveness along with a willingness to work hard for his team and teammates was second to none as a player. When Jose made a decision to attend Pomona-Pitzer back in 1999, the baseball program at that time had no more than four winning seasons in its history and last won a conference championship 43 years prior. In Jose's four year career at the college, the team posted four seasons of winning, culminating in a conference championship in 2002 that was the first in 47 years, followed by a second championship in 2003. As a player, Jose had the ability to hit from both sides of the plate with equal power and average.  As a catcher, he called all his games and exhibited a great knowledge of the game. As a coach in our program, Jose worked as our catching and pitching coordinator during the 2008-09 seasons. In that capacity his expertise and competitive will to succeed led our club to a World Series appearance in ‘08 and the regional championship game in ‘09. He’s a winner in every way both on and off the playing field. I am very proud of what he has accomplished as a player, coach, husband, and now recent father. He is a first class person, man, and friend.”

Shawn Gilblair U Shawn Gilblair, Eastern Connecticut

Career (2006-09): .373 AVG, 152 R, 236 H, 47 2B, 0 3B, 29 HR, 194 RBI, .584 SLG
Career (2006-09): 28-7, 2.31 ERA, 256.2 IP, 281 K
Highlights: 2007 D-III Co-Player of the Year, 2009 D-III Co-Player of the Year, 2006-07 and 2009 All-America, ECSU third all-time career RBI, ECSU fifth all-time career wins
Residence: [Not stated]
Age: 24
College Major: Sport and Leisure Management
Occupation: Signed with the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League (Independent) this upcoming spring, pitching coach at Eastern Connecticut State University
Personal: Single
Hobbies: Strength training, teaching
Favorite D-III baseball memory: 2006 New York Regional champions.

Kurt Yacko U Kurt Yacko, Chapman

Career (2006-08): .343 AVG, 107 R, 194 H, 41 2B, 8 3B, 18 HR, 108 RBI, .539 SLG
Career (2006-08): 12-1, 26 SV, 1.22 ERA, 154.2 IP, 190 K
Highlights: Drafted by Rockies in 8th round in 2008, 2007 D-III Co-Player of the Year, 2007-08 All-America, D-III second all-time career ERA, D-III third all-time 15 season saves, D-III eighth all-time career saves, 2008 D-III ERA title (0.59), 2008 D-III saves title (15)
Chapman coach Tom Tereschuk: “Kurt Yacko was a tremendous athlete for us and an unbelievable competitor. In his junior year Kurt led the nation in saves and in ERA. This was after being selected as the National Co-Player of the Year in his sophomore year. When we brought him into the game in the seventh, eighth or ninth, our team knew the game was over. He was totally dominating. Kurt was also a phenomenal infielder as well as one of our best offensive players. Some of the plays he made were incredible feats of athleticism.”

Next week: D-III baseball is the answer to an intriguing trivia question. Why?