For the 7^th straight year and 17^th consecutive semester the LTC Baseball team carried a team GPA over a 3.0.  This semester the Statesmen finished with a 3.10 cumulative gpa.  Eight members posted gpa’s over a 3.5 including Cory Baker, David Bishop, Derek Grabner, Travis Issak and Adam Richart who finished with perfect 4.0’s for the spring semester.  Way to go Gentlemen. 

After mulling over several offers, RHP Justin Smith has decided on Delta State in Cleveland, MS.  Delta is a D-II national power that has made 10 trips to the College World Series and 26 trips to the NCAA Tournament .

Sophomore catcher Adam Richart has decided on Indiana State to continue his college career.  Richart was a 2 year started for the Statesmen, joins a resurging Indiana State team that finished with it's best record in 14 years,  and finished 2nd in the Missouri Valley.   

Shortstop Kevin Gillespie, an ALL GRAC and ALL REGION XXIV selection  has signed with National D-1 power UNC-Charlotte.  The  49'ers have made NCAA region tournament apperances in 2007 and 2008.

Pitcher Coty Bates has signed with Cleveland State.  The Ohio native chose to stay close to home and play for CSU.  The Vikings were recenlty elimitated from the Horizon League tournament in the semi-finals.

Closer Taylor Schmidt has signed a letter of intent to continue his career at IPFW.  IPFW is a D-1 school located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and recently joined the Summit Conference.

Pitcher Adam Klatka has signed with th University of Southern Indiana.  USI has made two straight trips to the NCAA D-II tournament including a World Series apperance in 2008.

Sophomore outfielder Steve Mirizzi has signed with Ouchita Baptist University.  OBU, located in Arkadelphia, AR, had spent the majority of the 2009 season ranked in the Top 20 and was a 2008 D-II World Series participant. 

LHP Derek Grabner committed to Ball State joining former LTC standout Morgan Coombs.   Derek averaged over a strikeout an inning last season as the 1st option out of the pen for the Statesmen last year.  Grabner, an accomplished actor, was recently acepted into the prestegious School of Teatre and Fine Arts at Ball State for the 2009-2010 school year.

RHP Brent McNeil has signed a letter of intent to Eastern Illinois University.  McNeil worked his way into the starting rotation after spring trip and compiled a 4-2 record with a 1.75 era.  EIU is the current home of former Statesmen Jake Samuels and Chris Ulrey.

Wabash Valley 4-LTC 3

Adam Clark surrendered a couple early runs but settled in and pitched 4 2/3 strong innings. Adam Klatka came in and worked out of a 2nd and 3rd jam in 4th and pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings giving way to Taylor Schmidt who blanked the Valley the rest of the way. 

SWIC 9-LTC 5

Ross Overstreet was solid going 5 1/3 innings of work exiting with a 5-2 LTC lead.  Several errors and some walks outta the pen caused the lead to elapse and ending the season for the Statesmen.

NJCAA Region XXIV Results

LTC 1-OCC 0

Brent McNeil was outstanding going all 9 innings for the complete game shutout win.  McNeil allowed only 2 hits while walking 3 and striking out 6.  The Statesmen bats were held in check managing only 1 hit off the bat of Travis Isaak, but woke up in the 9th.  Steve Mirizzi lead off the inning with a double, setting the stage for Jimmy Brenneman, who ripped the game winning single to plate Mirrizi.  The Statesmen take on Wabash Valley in secong round action on 5/5/09 at 7pm. 

To find game times and locations for our Florida trip.  Click on link

Lincoln Trail College Baseball

2009 Spring Schedule

****Home Games Are in BOLD type****

The game at Danville on September 16th has been moved to September 17th begining at 1pm.  The game at Vincennes  has been changed to Friday, September 26th at 2pm est.

The LTC Baseball family would like to give a special salute to one of our own.  Former Statesmen,  Troy Jeffers, graduated from the Air Force Academy this May and has been commissioned to the Pentagon.  This is a great achiement and proves the value of a an LTC education. 

Way to go Troy.

The following players have signed to continue ther playing career's:

Andy Betts-Treveca Nazarine, TN (NAIA)

Trent Bierman-Neuman University, KS (NCAA II)

Travis Capps-University of Indianapolis, IN (NCAA II)

Greg Harrington-Union University, TN (NAIA)

Jeff Reinke-Union University, TN (NAIA)

They join Morgan Coombs(Ball State), Zach Gerler(Ausitin Peay), Ricky Marshall(Austin Peay), Chris Ulrey (Eastern Illinois), Bryan Earley (Illinois St) and Jake Samuels (Eastern Illinois).

All these young men have performed on the field as well as in the classroom.  They were twice named to the NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year, finishing 4th in 2007 and 14th in 2008, helping carry a team GPA of over 3.2 both years.  They were also members of the 2007 GRAC and Region XXIV Championship team.  The Staff and Administration of LTC are very pround of these young men and excited about thier futures. 

THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK!!!

First Basemen Jake Samuels capped off an outstanding season, which saw him hit .457 for the year with 15 doubles, 4 triples and 5 home runs, by being named to the NJCAA All American team for 2008.  Jake is the 2nd Statesmen to receive this honor in the last 2 years, joining David Arnold who received the same recognition in 2006.

Pitcher Bryan Earley has signed to continue his baseball career at Illinois State University.

First baseman Jake Samuels commited to Eastern Illinois University.  Jake joins Statesmen centerfielder Chris Ulrey for the Pathers in 2008-09.  EIU captuted the 2008 OVC tournament title and will be playing in the NCAA Regionals.

Congrats Men.

Pitcher Morgan Coombs and 1st basemen Jake Samuels were names 1st team All-GRAC for thier efforts this season.

Way to Go!!!

Linconl Trail dropped two games in the NJCAA Region XXIV to take third place.  After winning the 1st two games of the tourney the Statesmen lost 4-3 in 10 innings to Logan and was eliminated in the game to go back to the championship 10-8 to Rend Lake.

Game 1

LTC 5-Kaskaskia 4

Morgan Coombs(7 1/3 IP, 4 R, 1 ER, 7 K, 2 BB) picked up the win, with Brent McNeil(1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 K's) picking up the save in the opening round game.  Jake Samuels(3-5, RS, 2B), Brent McNeil(2-4, RS, RBI), Trent Bierman(1-3, RS, 2B, 2 RBI) and Shawn Ferguson(1-4, RS, HR, 2 RBI) were the leading hitters.

Game 2

LTC 7-Rend Lake 6

Ricky Marshall(6 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 7 K's) picked up the win for LTC, with Scott Schnepp(3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 K) picking up the save to help the Statesmen advance to the championship round of the NJCAA Region 24 tournament.  Jeff Reinke(3-4, RS) , Zach  Gerler(2-4, RS, HR, 2 RBI), and Trent Bierman(2-4, RS) paced the offense.  Jake Samuels and Justin Smith chipped in with solo homers.

The Statesmen will take on John Logan this Monday at Rent-One ballpark in Marion, IL.  First pitch is 7pm.

LTC 12-SWIC 9

The Statesmen were down 9-4 in the top of the 4th, but answered back with 4 runs in the bottom of the inning cutting the SWIC lead to 9-8.  Jake Anderson (5ip, 3 H, 0 R, 3 K) came into the game in the top of the 5th and held SWIC scoreless the rest of the way, allowing LTC to plate 4 more runs in route to the 12-9 win.  Andy Betts (2 2/3 IP, 5 R, 3 ER) and Taylor Schmidt(1 1/3 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 K's) also saw time on the mound.  Jake Samuels (4-5, 3 RS, 3B, HR), Brent McNeil(2-5, RS, 2 RBI), Zach Gerler (2-5, RS, 2-3B, 2 RBI) and Tyler Reboulet (2-4, 2 RS, RBI) were the leading hitters for LTC.

The Statesmen travel to Belleville, IL for a DH versus SWIC on Saturday, and travel to Olney Central on Sunday for the final GRAC DH of the year.

LTC 11-SEIC 1 (5 Innings)

The Statesmen bats exploded for 11 runs on 14 hits to take game one.  Morgan Coombs (5ip, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 9 K, 0 BB) picked up his 5 win of the year.  Travis Capps (2-4, 2 RS, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Adam Richart (2-4, 2 RS, HR, RBI), Shawn Ferguson (4-4, 2 2B, RS, RBI) and Justin Smith(2-2, RS, 2B, 2 RBI) were the leading hitters.

LTC 15-SEIC 0 (5 innings)

The LTC bats picked up where they left off pounded out 12 hits leading to the 15 runs.  Brent McNeil (5 ip, 3 H, 0 R, 8 K's) provided another solid pitching performance to pick up his 4th win of the year.  Jake Samuels (1-2, RS, 2B, 2 BB, RBI), Brent McNeil(1-3, 2 RS, 2 RBI), Shawn Ferguson(3-4, 2 RS, 2B, 3B, RBI), Zach Gerler (2-3, 3B, 3 RBI) and Tyler Reboulet (2-3, 2 RS, RBI) lead the offensive attack.

OCC 4-LTC 1

Scott Schnepp (5 IP, 2 r, 2 er, 4 k, 0 bb) pitched well in his first start of the year, but took the loss. Jake Anderson (2 ip, 2 r, 0 er, 2 k) and Andy Betts (2 ip, 0 R) pitched well in relief.  The LTC bats were paced by Jake Samuels (2-4) with Trent Bierman (1-4, RS) and Shawn Ferguson (1-4, RBI) chipping in.

Game 1

Kaskaskia 8-LTC 3

Morgan Coombs(7 ip, 8 r, 7 er) took the loss for LTC, and Taylor Schmidt( 1ip, 0 H, 0 R) pitched well in relief.  The bats were limited to 6 hits and 3 runs.  Travis Capps(1-3) , Zach Gerler(1-4, rs) Shawn Ferguson(1-4, rs, rbi) and Justin Smith(1-4, rs, rbiz) led the offense.

Kaskaskia 6-LTC 0

Ricky Marshall (6 1/3, 6 r, 4 er, 9k's) took the loss for LTC, with Andy Betts(1/3, 0 R) also seeing time on the mound.  Jake Samues(1-2) and Brent McNeil(1-3) picked up the only 2 hits the Statesmen managed in the game

LTC 8-Kaskaskia 2

Brent McNeil (7 ip, 4 H, 2 r, 1 er, 6 k, 0 bb) continued his solid pitching picking up his 3rd win of the year.  Jake Samuels(2-3, 2 rs, HR, RBI), Travis Capps (1-3, RS, RBI), Shawn Ferguson (2-3, RS, 2B), Justin Smith (1-3, 2 RS, RBI) and Tyler Reboulet (2-3, RBI) were the leading hitters.

SEIC 8-LRC 4

Morgan Coombs(5 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 8 K's) and Brent McNeil(4 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 7 K's) saw time on the mound for LTC.  Jake Samuels(3-4, RS, 3-2B's), Travis Capps(1-3, 2B, RBI) and Trent Bierman(1-2, RS, 3 BB's) were the leading hitters.

LTC 11-YHC 3

Morgan Coombs(9 IP, 9 H, 3R, 2ER, 15K's) was outstanding picking up the complete game victory.  Deaun Williams(1-4, 2 RS, 2 SB), Travis Capps(3-5, 2 RS, HR, 4 RBI), Chris Ulrey(2-4, RS, 3B, 2 RBI) and Zach Gerler(1-2, RS, 3 BB, RBI) were the leading hitters.

YHC 10-LTC 5

Brian Earley(5 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 3 ER, 3K's) took the loss for LTC with Derek Grabner(1IP, 2H, 2 R, 2 ER) pitching in relief.  Jake Samuels(2-4, RS, RBI), Travis Capps(2-4, 3B, RBI) and Jeff Reinke(1-3, RS, 2 RBI) lead the offense.

YHC 7-LTC 4

Ricky Marshall(4 2/3 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 6 K's) and Justin Smith(1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) were the pitchers of record for LTC.  Jake Samuels(2-3, 2-2B, 2 RBI), Jeff Reinke(2-2, RS, 2B) and Adam Richart(1-3, RS, 2B, 2 RBI) were the leading hitters.

LTC 6-VU 3

Bryan Earley(3IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 K's), Jake Anderson(2/3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER) and Derek Grabner(3 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 K's) contributed on the mound.  Brent McNeil(2-4, RS), Travis Capps(2-2, 2 RS, 2B) and Trent Bieman(3-3, rs, 2B, 3 RBI) were the leading hitters.

VU 6-LTC 2

First inning errors lead to 4 unearned runs for Cody Bates(2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 0 ER) with Justin Smith(3 IP, 0 H, 2 K's) and Scott Schnepp(1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, K) pitching in relief, and Statemen bats managed just 4 hit.  Travis Capp, Zach Gerler, Steve Mirizzi and Jake Samuels each tallied a hit

LTC 13-Sinclair 11

Ricky Marshall (5 1/3 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 7 K's) left with a 10-2 LTC lead only to see Sinclair score 9 runs in the sixth to take an 11-10 lead.  The Satesmen scored 3 in the bottom of the 6th to take a 13-11 lead.  Morgan Coombs (1 1/3 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 3 K's) pitched around 3 LTC errors to pick up the win.  Chris Ulrey (2-3, 2B, 2 RS, RBI), Shawn Ferguson (2-4, 3 RS, 3 RBI), Jake Samuels (2-3, 3B, RS, 4 RBI), Travis Capps (2-3, 2B, RS, RBI), Trent Bierman (1-3, 3B, RS, RBI) and Zach Geler (1-4, RS, 2 RBI) lead the offensive attack.

LTC 8-Sinclair 1

The LTC bats exploded for 6 runs in the bottom of the 1st, and Brent McNeil (7 IP, 4 H, 1 RS, 0 ER, 6 K's) kept the Sinclair bats in check to pick up the complete game victory.  Shawn Ferguson (2-4, 2 RS, RBI), Travis Capps (2-4, RS), Chris Ulrey (1-3, 3B, RS, 2 RBI, SB), Pat Kohan (1-2, RS, RBI, SB), Zach Gerler (1-2, RS, RBI, 2 SB) and Adam Richart (1-4, RS, HR, 3 RBI) were the leading hitters.

The Statesmen host Vincennes on 3/26/08 at Parker Field with 1st pitch slated for 1pm.  LTC will travel to Decatur, GA to take on Young Harris in a 3 game series this Friday.

Rend Lake 3-LTC 2

Jake Anderson(3 1/3 IP, 0 H, 1 r, 0 er, 3k's)  pitched well in relief of Greg Harrington(2 2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 r, 1 er, 3K's) who took the hard luck loss.  Zach Gerler(1-3), Shawn Ferguson(2-3) and Jordan Foster(1-2, rs) paced the offense.

Rend Lake 4-LTC 3

Bryan Earley(6 1/3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 8K's) pitched well and left with a 3-1 lead in the 7th, only to see Rend Lake plate 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th to pick up the win.  Brent McNeil(1-3, 2B, rbi), Shawn Ferguson(2-3) and Zach Gerler(1-2, rs, rbi) were the leading hitters.

LTC 6-Wabash Valley 3

Sophomore Brian Earley picked up his 1st win of the year going 5 1/3 innings, allowing 3 runs, 1 earned, scattering 8 hits, while striking out 5.  Derek Grabner was very good in relief allowing just 1 hit and no runs, striking out 5 in 3 innings of work.  Morgan Coombs picked up his 1st save of the year striking out both batters he faced in the 9th.  Trent Bierman (3-4, 2 rs, hr, RBI), Justin Smith (2-5, 2-2B, RBI) and Jeff Reinke (1-4, rs, hbp) paced the offense.  

WVC 5-LTC 3

Cody Bates (5ip, 7 h, 4 r, 3er, 2 k's) took the loss for LTC, with Taylor Schmidt (2 ip, 2 h, 1 r, 0 er, 2 k's) pitching well in relief.  Deaun Williams (1-3, rs, sb, 2B), Steve Mirizzi (2-2, RBI) Jordan Foster ( 1-2, rs, 2B) and Adam Richart (2-3) were the leading hitters.

LTC 4-WVC 3

Zack Gerler's 2 out double in the bottom of the 11th plated Jordan Foster for the game winning run.  Ricky Marshall (4 2/3 ip, 3 h, 3 r, 0 er, 2 k's) pitched well in his 2nd start of the year, with Morgan Coombs (6 2/3 ip, 2 h, 0 r, 4 k's)  working big innings out of the pen to pick up the win.  Chris Ulrey (3-4, rs, 2B), Adam Richart (1-4, 2 RBI's), Steve Mirizzi (0-2, 2 rs, 3 BB) and Tyler Schnebelt (1-3) were the leading hitters.

Gulf Coast 11-LTC 1

LTC pitchers allowed 11 runs, 7 earned on 8 hits in the season opener.  Bryan Earley (3 ip, 5 r, 3 er), Brent McNeil (2 ip, 2 r, 2 er) and Derek Grabner (1ip, 4 r, 2 er) were the pitchers of record.  Chris Ulrey (1-3, rs, bb), Steve Mirizzi (1-2, sb, bb) and Jordan Foster (1-3, 2B) were the leading hitters.

Gulf Coast 8-LTC 7

LTC took a 7-6 lead into the bottom of the 9th but were denied the victory when a 2-out, 2 rbi double allowed the winning run to cross the plate and secure the Gulf Coast win.  Scott Schnepp (3 1/13 IP, 1 h, 0 r) pitched well in relief of Ricky Marshall (3 1/3 ip, 4 h, 6 r, 5 er) and gave the Statesmen a chance to take a 7-6 lead into the bottom of the 9th.  Morgan Coombs (1 2/3 ip, 2 rs, 2 er) took the loss for LTC.  Jeff Reinke (2-4, rs, 2b, rbi), Chris Ulrey (2-4, rs, hr, 2 rbi), Justin Smith (3-4, rs, rbi) and Trent Bierman (3-5, rs) led the offense.

Iowa Central 6-LTC 0

The LTC bats managed just 4 hits and no runs in route to the loss.  Coty Bates(5ip, 5 r, 5 er, 5 k's) settled in after a shaky 1st inning where 4 IWC runs crossed the plate allowing 1 run and 1 hit in the next 4 innings.  Deaun Williams (1-3, 2b) Jeff Reinke (1-2, 2b) and Shawn Ferguson (1-2, sb) paced the offense.

LTC 14-Kankakee 3

Greg Harrington(5ip, 3rs, 1 er, 5k's) picked up the win on the mound for LTC, with Taylor Schmidt(1ip, 0 h, 0 r, 2 k's) pitching well in relief.  Jake Samuels (3-4, 3 rs, 3 rbi, hr), Shawn Ferguson (2-3, rs, rbi), Zach Gerler (2-4, 2 rs, 2 rbi, hr) and Travis Capps (1-4, 2b, 3 rbi) were the leading hitters

Kankakee 9-LTC 1

Derek Grabner (4 2/3 ip, 4 h, 2 r, 2 er, 4 k's) and Andy Betts (2ip, 1 h, 1 r, 0 er) pitched well in relief of Jake Anderson, who spotted Kankakee and 6-0 lead in the 1st inning.  Chris Ulrey (2-2, 3b), Andrew Mosbarger (1-1, rs), Travis Capps (2-3) and Adam Richart (1-3) led the offense

Danville 4-LTC 2

Brent McNeil (4 ip, 4 r, 2 er) took the loss for the Statesmen, with Morgan Coombs (3 ip, 2 h, 0 r, 4 k's) pitching well in relief.  Zach Gerler (2-2, 2 2B, rs), Jordan Foster (2-3) and Justin Smith (1-3, 2b) were the leading hitters.

LTC is 1-5 on the year and take on Wabash Valley and Vincennes this week. 

Spring Trip Hotel information

Feel free to contact the following hotels

Feb 28th-March 4-Inn at St Thomas Square, 8730 Thomas Drive
                                Panama City Beach, FL 32408   (800) 874-8600-ask for Charlene

Three Sophomores signed at Division I schools during the early signing period. 

Righty pitcher Ricky Marshall signed with Austin Peay University.  Marshall averaged a strikeout an inning last year with a 2-1 record.  Austin Peay advanced to the NCAA regionals last year and joins former Statesmen Brooks Hunton.

Morgan Coombs-RHP signed with Ball State.  Morgan was an All-Region XXIV Tournament performer and served as the closer for LTC last year finishing with a 5-2 records with 7 saves.

Chris Ulrey signed with Eastern Illinois University.  Ulrey lead the Statemen with 10 homeruns last year along with 15-2B and 6-3B, and committed just 2 errors in CF.

          2008 Lincoln Trail College Baseball Schedule