Redbird baseball, softball teams ready for 2012

Kenny Long (left), Coach Mark Kingston (center) and Kevin Tokarski address the media Monday. (Photo By Paul Morello/WJBC)

NORMAL – The Redbird baseball team hopes to overcome key injuries this year, while the Illinois State softball squad looks to defend its Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title in 2012.

The Illinois State men were picked to finish fifth in the Valley Preseason Baseball Coaches’ Poll. The Redbirds return five starters from last year’s team that finished third in the conference.

ISU will put together a weekend starting rotation that will include junior Brad Sorkin, Heartland Community College product Chris Razo and freshman Dylan Craig. Injuries have plagued ISU’s starters, with J.D. Learnard out with a shoulder injury and Dan Savas having Tommy John surgery, but Coach Mark Kingston expects his squad to overcome those obstacles.

“The good thing with us is we have a tremendous amount of pitching depth. We have much more so than maybe we had a couple years ago. So I think we’ll be able to absorb the injuries a little better than we have in the past,” he said.

The Redbirds’ depth starts in the bullpen, which is helmed by senior closer Kenny Long, who was named to the Preseason All-MVC Team. He finished last year with a 0.92 ERA.

Setup man Justin Hauer returns as well. He led the pitching staff in appearances with 28 last year. He had the second-lowest ERA at 1.41.

“Statistics show teams that have the best bullpens usually do the best overall,” Kingston said. “If you look in the major leagues, the teams that are in the postseason usually have a rock-solid bullpen.”

The Redbird offense will be led by senior catcher/designated hitter Mike Hollenbeck, who joined Long on the Preseason All-MVC Team.

Illinois State opens the season on the road Friday against Austin Peay.

Listen to Kenny Long’s assessment of this year’s squad.

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Softball goes 3-1 to open season

The Redbird softball team opened the 2012 slate last weekend in the USF Tournament in Tampa, Florida. Illinois State downed Maine, Long Island and Florida Gulf Coast, with the sole loss coming to No. 2/4 Florida.

The Redbirds were tabbed first in the Valley preseason poll. A sizable part of the Redbirds offense returns this year, including Lizzie Andrews, Jhavon Hamilton and Elizabeth Kay.

The Redbirds return a devastating starting pitching tandem in seniors Jordan Birch and Megan Warner. Birch earned three wins last weekend without allowing a run in two complete games.

Coach Melinda Fischer expects that high level of play all year.

“I think Jordan came back with the attitude of, ‘This is my last season, and I’m going to give everything I have and it’s going to be the best season I’ve ever had.’ I see a different focus in her and a different perspective this year,” she said.

Birch was named the Valley Pitcher of the Week for her performance in Tampa.

The Redbirds travel to Tempe, Arizona for the annual Littlewood Classic next weekend.

Paul Morello can be reached at paul@wjbc.com.