Lexington, Ill. – May 24, 2015 – When the Midwest Collegiate League season gets underway, the Lexington Snipes will have a new look to their roster.
Only six players return, while 16 players departed following last year. The Snipes finished the 2014 season with a 24-22 record, in fourth place in the Midwest Collegiate League standings and made a two-game exit from the postseason.
This year, manager Billy DuBois has assembled a young group of players ready to prove their worth in the MCL.
“I’m going to go young, really young and hungry,” DuBois said. “They’re not entitled. Some kids are going through the motions; these kids are trying to move onto the next level.”
After handing off managerial duties to Tyler Cook last season to allow the former Snipe to gain experience needed to further his career, DuBois is back in charge as the team’s manager.
Now in his 15th season running the Snipes, DuBois received good news this offseason when he learned of his upcoming induction into the National Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame. The induction will take place in Evansville, Indiana on Sunday, Oct. 11.
The Snipes have not won a championship since 2010, when they completed a string of three straight Eastern Illinois League titles. The recent drought has left Snipes nation all the hungrier for success this year.
“I worked really hard on recruiting; we’ve got what we need to win the league,” DuBois said. “We know what to expect, having been in the league for two years. Getting hot at the end is the main thing in the MCL.”
On a roster littered with newcomers, catcher Cale Robinson remains a fixture. He’s back for his fifth season with the Snipes ahead of his final year of eligibility at Lewis University. He holds a .301 average in his 124-game Snipes career.
The projected starting rotation is comprised of Brett Fanning (Upper Iowa University), Matt Jenkins (Parkland), Ross Learnard (Parkland), Kyle Jenkins (Illinois Valley Community College), Matthew Dwyer (Heartland) and Noah Lamboley (Parkland). Fanning returns after posting a 4.14 ERA in 50 innings in 2014. DuBois plans to decrease Fanning’s workload this season to ensure that his arm holds up. Learnard is the brother of former Snipe J.D. Learnard.
The bullpen features Heartland right hander Kolton Vermillion, a hard-thrower that could be in the mix for closing duties. Incoming Illinois State freshman Jack Rettig is a left-hander expected to pitch significant innings out of the bullpen. Jeff Lavin (Parkland), Ian Hall (Heartland), Brad Parchutz (Illinois State) and Kody Silverthorn (Parkland), Tim Smyk (Illinois Wesleyan) and Travis Auer (Hearland) will also pitch for the Snipes this season.
The outfield is expected to be another area of strength for Lexington. Ryan Frye returns for another season, while Division-I Western Illinois sophomore Roman Visintine joins the fold. Frye was recently named Rookie of the Year at Evangel University. Tyler Horchem (John A Logan CC), Alex Smith (Northern Illinois) and Cully Day (Parkland) will roam the outfield as well.
Highly recruited Owen Miller, an Illinois State commit, is set to play for the Snipes. He’ll be joined on the infield by returnee Reed Rogers (Heartland), Jared McCunn (Illinois Central College), incoming University of Chicago freshman Reid Birlingmair, Neal Tyrell (Lewis), Deion Thompson (Western Illinois), Tanner Russell (Parkland) and catcher Jason Priest (Illinois Central College). The infield will also include Butler’s Chris Maranto, who is back from last year’s team.
The Snipes open up the season with a doubleheader in Michigan City on May 30 and host their first home game of the year on Wednesday, June 3 against non league foe Westmont Red Sox at Lexington.
“I’m really excited about this year,” DuBois said. “I was on the fence about giving another young guy a chance to do some resume building as the manager, but I’m supposed to be in the dugout. The kids respond to me. That’s the best direction we can go, especially with this team.”