Outdoor start energizes ISU baseball – Bloomington Pantagraph

NORMAL — The Illinois State baseball team’s first outdoors action usually comes when the Redbirds head south to open their season.

Pleased that unseasonably warm weather has allowed his team to play at Duffy Bass Field each of the past two weekends, second-year coach Bo Durkac believes, “I don’t think you can understate that. We were able to get out and get a lot of stuff done. It does volumes for us to evaluate our guys.”

Durkac is pleased with his early views of a pitching staff he expects to be improved over last season’s 5.10 team ERA.

Senior left-hander Jacob Hendren gives the Redbirds an unquestioned No. 1 starter. The preseason Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year was 10-2 with a 2.80 ERA last season and 99 strikeouts in 106 innings.

“I’m working on my fastball command and getting quicker to the plate so we can continue to cut down the running game,” Hendren said. “I’m working on my curveball to get a better swing and miss pitch.”

Senior righty Steve Heilenbach (2-2, 4.04 ERA) will start the second game and junior college transfer David Meade the third of a season-opening series at Belmont on Feb. 19-21.

Durkac sees junior Mitch Weis as a potential starter will who help in the bullpen and expects veterans Jack Czeszewski, Jack Landwehr and Jake Sale to bounce back from 5-plus ERAs in 2015. Another junior college transfer, Marcus McKinney, also has earned early mound time.

Paul DeJong, ISU’s top hitter from a 27-27 team, was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals after a 14-home run, 48-RBI spring.

Second baseman Joe Kelch is the leading returning batter. The senior posted a team-best .338 average and did not make an error in 42 games.

“I think it will be a balanced offense,” said Kelch. “We have guys who have some thump and also some guys with a lot of speed.”

First baseman Brian Rodemoyer hopes to harness his abundant power in a final season with the Redbirds. The left side of the infield could feature a redshirt freshman (third baseman Ryan Hutchinson) and a true freshman (shortstop Owen Miller).

“Owen is a really talented player who had a little draft interest coming out of high school,” Durkac said. “He certainly hasn’t disappointed since he’s been here.”

The outfield is experienced with seniors Jared Hendren (Jacob’s twin brother and fellow University High School graduate), Sean Beesley and Daniel Dwyer. Jared Hendren could also see time on the infield when outfielder Blake Molitor returns from a hand injury.

“Outfield may be the strength of the team,” said Durkac. “Jared is our super utility player. He’s maybe our fastest baserunner, and he’s going to swing it, too.”

Senior Jean Ramirez returns for a second season as starting catcher.