Indiana Chargers: Welcome
The Indiana Chargers Baseball Club
We are one of Indiana's premier summer baseball programs for young men aspiring to play college baseball!
"Planning, Preparing, and Working for your Future."
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| Caleb Birkey Signing With Indiana Wesleyan University |
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Four more Charger players from the class of 2012 have recently made their college choices for the Fall. This brings the total to nine now for this class of Charger players that will be playing baseball at the next level. The Chargers congratulate these four for this awesome accomplishment and wish them the best as they branch out into these programs!
Caleb Birkey: OF from Penn H.S. Indiana Wesleyan University
Bobby Norell: INF from Marian H.S. North Central University
Austin LaFollette: OF from Western H.S. Manchester University
Casey DeMonia: INF from Mishawaka H.S. Trine University
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| Coach Mishler congratulates Kyle Slack at his November signing with UTRockets |
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| Evan Witsken/HS coach John Gumpf at Evan's National Letter of Intent signing |
Toledo, Rose-Hulman, Taylor, Wabash, and Marian are the first five college programs to get college committments from the 2012 class of Indiana Chargers. These five college choices represent a wide variety of school sizes, academic choices, and campus layouts, but all have in common baseball programs that are well respected with great facilities and schedules. Following are the Chargers and their respective schools they will be attending the Fall of 2012:
Kyle Slack: RHP from Edwardsburg HS - University of Toledo
Evan Witsken: INF from St. Joe HS (Indiana) - Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Adam Raifsnider: Catcher from Elkhart Central HS - Taylor University
Drew Sawyer: INF from Kokomo HS - Wabash College
Austin Moore: OF/LHP from Warsaw - Marian University
Congratulations to this group of Chargers as your hard work and dedication has paid off and given you opportunities to play this great game at another level! We are proud of you and wish you the best as you move on to these programs this Fall. In the mean time, lead your high school teams to a great spring season!
Friday, July 29
2011 Charger Class Finalizes College Choices
During the summer of 2011, these three Chargers made their college choices:
Cameron Screeton: Rochester HS - Bluffton University
Dirk Ormsby: West Noble HS - Kellogg Community College
Derek Yoder: NorthWood HS - Kellogg Community College
Congratulations fellas! We are proud of you and wish you the best as you continue playing at the college level!
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Three Former Chargers Earn All-Freshman Honors
Dustin DeMuth (Indiana University), Jack Livingston (Northwestern University), and Kevin Upp (Valparaiso University) have earned spots on the ALL FRESHMAN teams in their leagues.
Both DeMuth and Livingston hit their way to the Big Ten All Freshman Team. DeMuth hit .360 for the Hosiers while leading the team in hits with 85. Livingston hit .340 with a SLG% of .505 and a team leading OBP% of .455.
Kevin Upp, however, did it on the mound for Valparaiso. Upp was 2-0 for the Crusaders with a 3.03 ERA while holding opposing hitters to just a .234 AVG to be selected to the Horizon League's All-Newcomer Team.
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Five More Chargers Select Schools
Cody Blunk, 2011 Grad. Wawasee HS - Vincinnes University
Zac Mishler, 2011 Grad. Westview HS - John Logan College
Cole Page, 2011 Grad. Northwood HS - Bluffton University
Luke Pepple, 2011 Grad. Leo HS - Bethel College
Jon Timmerman, 2011 Grad. Carroll HS - Kellogg CC
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UPDATE: Chargers Contributing at the Next Level!!
Drew Adams FR Huntington University: .322 AVG - 19 Hits in 59 ABs
Adam Christner SO Huntington University: .312 AVG - 29 Hits - 14 for 15 SBs
Eric Hess FR Kellogg CC: .250 AVG in 14 starts behind the plate
Luke Hofsommer SO Taylor University: .259 AVG and 1-0 on the mound
Clay Manering FR Parkland College: 3-0 with 3.14 ERA - 14Ks in 14 INN
Ben Martin JR University of St. Francis: .307 AVG - 31 Hits in 101 ABs
Nic Mishler Redshirt FR Kellogg CC: 2-0 in 7 relief appearances
Kyle Revella FR Bethel College: .302 AVG - 19 Hits in 59 ABs
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Five off the Board for 2011
The Indiana Chargers has its first five college commitments for the 2011 graduating class. And rightfully so! These 5 players were a big part of the Chargers 2010 summer campaign!
Max Andresen, Catcher-2011 Grad Penn HS: Max has chosen to play for the Division 1 Miami of Ohio Redhawks in the Mid-American Conference. Andresen had a huge summer for the Chargers. While hitting in the heart of the batting order on the 17U club, he showed why he is ranked the #10 2011 prospect in the state by Prep Baseball Report. Max reached double digits in home runs and doubles from the left side, showcased an upper level college throwing arm behind the plate, all while holding a 4.25 GPA out of 4.0 at Penn HS.
Daimon Buck, 2B-2011 Grad Northridge HS: Buck was inked in the early signing period by NAIA perennial powerhouse Taylor University. Taylor Head Coach Kyle Gould calls Buck a “great fit in every sense” for the Trojans Baseball Program. Daimon, while a solid defensive second basemen, really shines at the plate. He shows an advanced hitting approach from the left side and has proven he can hit college level pitching with power. Daimon carries a 3.7 GPA at Northridge HS.
Conner Podkul, RHP-2011 Grad La Porte HS: Podkul will be taking his 6 foot 5 inch/200 pound “proto-typical power pitchers body” just a few miles south of his La Porte home to Purdue University. For obvious reasons, Conner garnered a lot of attention from scouts this summer. He paired an explosive fastball (topping 89 MPH) with an above average curveball he consistently threw for strikes. Conner maintains at 3.9 GPA at La Porte HS.
Kyle Schneider, 3B-2011 Grad Penn HS: This slick fielding third basemen will be taking his services to the Division 1 Crusaders of Valparaiso University. Schneider (who will join former Chargers Kevin Upp and Jake McMahan at Valpo) will compete for playing time at 3B early in his career because of his soft hands, strong throwing arm (85+ MPH across the diamond), and legitimate power potential. Kyle holds a 3.4 GPA at Penn HS.
Kyle Upp, Catcher-2011 Grad La Porte HS: Upp will be realizing his childhood dream by accepting a scholarship offer from the Big Ten Boilermakers of Purdue University (joining Chargers and La Porte teammate Podkul). Kyle showcases two upper level tools that caught the eye of the Purdue coaching staff. This summer, while sharing the catching duties with Andresen for the 17U Chargers, Upp showed “big time” power from the right side and a rocket for a throwing arm (1.85 pop time) behind the plate. Kyle owns a 3.5 GPA while playing for his father, Scott Upp, at La Porte HS.
Congratulations guys! The Chargers staff is proud to have had these STUDENT (notice their GPAs) Athletes in the organization. Best of luck to all of you!!
2011 Indiana Chargers Rosters Posted
The Indiana Chargers are happy to announce our 2011 teams! For the 2011 season the Chargers will field 8 teams from the 14U to the 18U age divisions! "We are very excited with the addition of 4 teams this year" stated Charger 17U Field Manager and Co-Founder Joel Mishler. "We feel we have added a number of very talented and passionate baseball players to our organization as we continue to grow!
Please visit the "Charger Teams" page on this site to view our 2011 Rosters!
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Several College Commitments over the Summer Completes Chargers 2010 Class
2010 proved to be the most bountiful year yet for the Indiana Chargers program. “With several players signing their National Letters of Intent over the summer, our total number of college bound players comes to 20!” states Chargers 18U Manager Ben Bailey. “This is by far our most successful year in helping young men continue playing baseball at the next level.”
Expanding to several teams has helped the program grow significantly the past couple of years. However, that is not the only reason the Chargers have experienced recent success. “I believe that people in the Northern part of Indiana are still just finding out who we are.” mentions 17U Manager Joel Mishler. “Our area of influence continues to grow year after year. We now have players from about an 80 mile radius."
For a complete list of our 2010 class, CLICK HERE.
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Hess Commits to Nationally Ranked Kellogg
Eric Hess of Penn High School has given his verbal commitment to play for the NJCAA DII powerhouse Kellogg Community College. Kellogg finished 8th in the country in 2009, National Runners-Up in 2007 and is currently ranked 8th in the country by Collegiate Baseball. "Kellogg is one of those schools that really pushes their players mentally and physically to get better on a day to day basis" states 18U Indiana Chargers Manager Ben Bailey. "Coach Leskovy has a very good reputation of developing young talent and sending them off to successful four year programs."
Hess is considered a premium catch and throw prospect with above average athleticism and speed for a catcher. At Kellogg he will become battery mates with another former Indiana Chargers player, Nic Mishler.
Follow the Indiana Chargers 2010 class HERE.
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Chargers Coach Mishler to be Honored at GOCC
Joel Mishler, former head baseball coach at Glen Oaks Community College during the 1990s, will be honored – along with his 2000 Third Place National Junior College Athletic Association Championship Team – before the start of the men’s basketball game against Kellogg Community College on Saturday (February 20th).
Steve Proefrock, athletic director and head men’s basketball coach, said the 2:30 to 3 p.m. tribute to Mishler and the team is expected to draw many area fans, alumni and current students, faculty and staff.
The Viking basketball team is also driving toward a championship of their own with one of the best records of 18-2 overall and 8-0 in conference play.
Mishler retired from Glen Oaks Community College in 2002 after achieving the best baseball coaching record in the college’s history and one of the best in the region.
Since leaving Glen Oaks, Mishler has been head varsity coach of the Westview High School baseball team at Topeka, Indiana, and co-director of the Chargers Baseball Academy near Shipshewana.
Mishler has been involved in baseball coaching, scouting, and giving lessons for nearly 30 years.
Proefrock said he expects many of Mishler’s former players will return for the February 20th salute to their coach and the near-championship team.
Article by WLKM Radio
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Spitaels is 10th Charger Off The Board For 2010
Cam Spitaels, the senior LF for Northwood High School's skipper Nick Davis, has given his verbal commitment to Grace College in Warsaw, Indiana. In doing so, Spitaels becomes the 10th Chargers player in the 2010 class to make their college decision. While hitting in the middle of the Northwood line-up, Spitaels hit .395 with an on base percentage well over .500.
"Cam has really figured it out at the plate" says 17U Manager Joel Mishler. "He has worked very hard the last 18 months and has a solid understanding of his swing." Spitaels will join former Chargers player Christopher Valentine as a member of the Grace College Lancers baseball team.
Cam carries a 3.6 GPA at Northwood and is on the High Honor Roll. For a complete list of the 2010 Chargers Player Commitments, CLICK HERE.
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Adams Heading to Huntington
Drew Adams has signed his letter of intent to play for Coach Mike Frame at Huntington University. Adams, a senior at Leo High School, played 1B, LF and RF for the 2009 18U Indiana Chargers. While at Leo in '09, Adams hit over .400 while driving in nearly 30 runs for the 26-6 Sectional Champions.
Adams is the third Chargers player to end up at Huntington in as many years. He will join former Chargers Anthony Roth and Adam Christner currently with the Foresters. "Drew is a great person who comes from a great family" states 18U Manager Ben Bailey. "He is exactly the type of young man Coach Frame looks for to help shape his ball club."
Drew is a member of the National Honor Society and on the High Honor Roll.
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Squibb Picks His School
Arneal Squibb joins Malcolm White and Nick Hall as the third outfielder from the Charger's 2009 18U team to decide on where he will continue his baseball career. Squibb has picked Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio. The DIII powerhouse Heidelberg, which is preseason ranked #10 in the country, is getting a player who can come in and contribute right away. "Arneal will be able to go and compete for playing time right away" states 18U Manager Ben Bailey. "He is an above average outfielder at all three positions and has showed that he can hit against college level pitching."
Squibb, a four year starter for Mishawaka's John Huemmer, had a successful 2009 spring season with the Cavemen hitting over .400 at the top of the order while grabbing 2nd team all-conference honors in the very tough NIC.
Arneal carries a 3.8 GPA at Mishawaka High School and landing himself on the High Honor Roll.
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Nick Hall Commits to Oakland University
Nick Hall, the 2009 18U Chargers regular center fielder, has given his verbal commitment to continue his baseball career at DI Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. The OU Golden Grizzlies play in a tough Summit League Conference whose members are as far reaching as North and South Dakota.
Hall first caught the eye of Grizzlies Head Coach John Musachio while playing CF for the Chargers last summer at The University of Michigan Tournament. "Coach Musachio said he was very impressed on how hard Nick played the game" states Chargers 18U Field Manager Ben Bailey. "The day he saw Nick was not the type of day most people would consider to be a day that would catch the eye of upper level programs. However by giving maximum effort on each and every play, it gave Oakland's coaching staff the opportunity to see all of Nick's tools and what he has to offer as a player."
Playing hard ended up being the reason Hall landed at Oakland. "This is what we preach to all of our players" adds 17U Field Manager Joel Mishler. "All it takes is for the right coach to see you at the right time. However if Nick had decided to take a play or two off that day, he most likely would not have ended up with the Grizzlies."
Nick is a 3 sport standout for Bellmont High School in Decatur, Indiana and carries a GPA of 3.35.
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Another member of the Indiana Chargers organization has made his college decision. Evan Jurjevic, the very versatile utility man for the 2009 17U club, has signed with Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
"The Carson-Newman Eagles play in a very competitive conference" states 18U Skipper Ben Bailey. "Evan's ability to play 3 or 4 positions very well will allow him to compete for playing time early on in his college career."
Jurjevic played a solid second base, first base, left and right field for the 17U Chargers in 2009. However, that is not all that will help him compete at the next level. "Evan is not only a very talented ball player, he is a great teammate" adds 17U Manager Joel Mishler. "Players who can make everyone else around them better become even more valuable to college programs. Evan is that type of player."
Jurjevic, a senior at La Porte High School, carries a 3.7 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.
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White Finds Perfect Fit at DI IPFW
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Indiana Chargers are no Chickens in Showing Community Support
By Christine Parkhurst
The Elite Travel Baseball team known as the Indiana Chargers has more on their agenda than achieving good baseball scores. In fact their goals include excellence in academics, good character and community support Each year the team must raise dollars through fund raising activities to help pay for their team expenses. This year the Indiana Chargers, which consists of teams ranging from 14 to 18 year old players, with help from their families, the Chargers went the extra mile while they were selling Nelson’s chicken to buy an extra 160 chickens that they decided to donate to the Hope Mission of South Bend.
“We are not just about the baseball game and the game scores,” says Mark Andresen, the parent of Max, a player on the 17U team, but we are mainly about making sure our players are successful players in society and in college when they move on to that.” That means being big team players in the community, say the parents and the coaches, and the team members. “It doesn’t surprise me that our players and their families decided to donate their Nelson’s Port a Pit chicken to the Hope Rescue Mission.” Said Ben Bailey, Head Field Manager. “When we look for players, we first look for young men of character before we look at their abilities on the field. As a coaching staff, this is exactly the type of community service you hope for out of the people in your organization.”
On Saturday, October 24, 2009, the Indiana Chargers met with staff members of Hope Mission in South Bend to present the organization with a donation of 160 Nelson’s Golden Glow chicken halves. There is no doubt that recipients at hope Mission enjoyed the gift! Who wouldn’t?
When Hope Mission Outreach Coordinator Sarah Greenawalt received the offer of the donation she responded to the teams with a letter of thanks. The letter read:
“Thank you very much for this generous offer! We would be more than happy to receive the Nelson's chicken halves on the 24th. I have talked with our Food Service Manager and he will be looking forward to receiving those. They can be brought to our building at 532 S. Michigan St. in South Bend. The person at the front desk can then do a "house call" to ask some guys to carry them in for you. Again, thank you very much for thinking of us! This is a blessing.”
“It was a festive event when team members met with the mission members to drop off the donation of Nelson’s Chicken. Team members will remember how they brightened the day for many mission residents that day, and mission residents will in turn remember how a group of children and their families reached out to give them a special gift. It was a win-win situation, for the team players and the recipients of their gift.The Indiana Chargers is a college preparatory organization with the main focus of teaching their players what it takes to be successful at the next level on the playing field of life. For more information about this dynamic organization, please visit www.chargerbaseball.org.
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Valpo Lands 2nd Charger for 2010
Tracy Woodson and Valparaiso University have added their second Indiana Chargers player to their 2010 recruiting class. Jake McMahan will join teammate Kevin Upp (also teammates at LaPorte HS) in what is shaping up to be a stellar recruiting class for the Crusaders.
McMahan, a 6'2 power hitting 3rd basemen, has had an excellent fall season with the Chargers. "Jake has flat out crushed the ball this fall against some very good pitching" states Chargers Manager Ben Bailey. "He has proved that he can play at a high level, and we are excited for Jake and his family.".
Coach Scott Upp of LaPorte High School will look to Jake for more of the same for the Slicers in 2010. Jake hit .389 with 5 HRs in a solid junior season for LaPorte.
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Rassi Ranked #15 Pro Prospect in NYCBL
Steve Krah - Elkhart Truth
WEBSTER, N.Y. — Lincoln Rassi, a former Indiana Chargers player and University of Toledo sophomore in 2009-10, spent his summer pitching for the Webster Yankees of the New York Collegiate Baseball League.
Rassi, a 6-foot-1 right-hander, went 5-1 with a 3.98 earned run average. In nine games (seven as a starter) covering 43 innings, the former Chargers standout struck out a team-best 44 and walked 13. His WHIP (walks and hits per inning) was 1.13. For his efforsts, Rassi has been named the #15 pro prospect in the league for the 2009 summer season.
The NYCBL consists of 14 teams and over 350 college players from around the country. The league is operated by current college coaches who also evaluate players that are participating in the league. "This is a very good sign for Lincoln's chances of playing professional baseball after college" says Indiana Chargers Coach Ben Bailey. "It gives us an idea how college and professional scouts view his tools now and how they will develop in the future."
For more information on Rassi and the Toledo Rockets, CLICK HERE
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Kevin Upp Will Be Right At Home At DI Valparaiso
The Indiana Chargers 17U team’s dominate number one pitcher, Kevin Upp, has decided to continue his baseball career at DI Valparaiso University. And, with less than a 30 minute drive from his home in LaPorte, it made his parents very happy. “I guess I feel like I am being a little selfish, but I like his decision” states Scott Upp. (Kevin’s father and Head Coach at 4A powerhouse LaPorte High School) “Kevin genuinely likes the coaching staff at Valpo, and everything else just fell into place. It’s great for me because it will be very easy for me to see him pitch in college.”
Upp impressed Valpo’s Head Coach Tracy Woodson by putting up some impressive numbers in a very tough Duneland Conference. He went 8-3 over 60 innings of work while striking out 88 with a 2.74 ERA and earning first team All-Duneland Conference honors.
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Borlik and DeMuth Pick Schools
Two members of the Indiana Chargers 2010 class have picked their schools. Pat Borlik of South Bend Washington will be heading north to become the newest member of the Western Michigan Broncos, while Dustin DeMuth of LaPorte High School will travel south to Bloomington where he will join the Hoosiers of Indiana University.
Borlik, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound righty who is ranked No. 19 by Indiana Prep Baseball Report for the Class of 2010, gave his verbal commitment to Western Michigan University head coach Randy Ford early last week. Borlik is one of the best power arms in the class behind an 85-88 mph fastball that he featured this summer with the Chargers. “Pat has the opportunity to be very good pitcher at the college level” states 18U Head Field Manager Ben Bailey. “I see him as being able to get considerably stronger in the next 2 to 3 years while focusing 100% on baseball.”
Borlik led the Northern Indiana Conference in strikeouts and was a second team All-Conference selection this spring as a junior with his 6-2 record. He was also a first team All-Conference and honorable mention All-State quarterback.
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