Blackhawks prepare for 2009, look back on '08

8/25/08

       The entire Southeast Iowa region is buzzing about the Southeastern Community College baseball team after Sunday evening's "Welcome Back Student-Athletes Dinner." The dinner, which introduced all of SCC's athletic teams and allowed each a brief scrimmage, was capped off by a 9-inning baseball intersquad game that showcased the new-look Blackhawks

       A new baseball logo, new lights at Dick Wagner Athletic Complex, new hats and many new faces were on display as the baseball team showed off its fresh look to fans and the other SCC student-athletes. And after only having two real days of practice, the 'Hawks staff was very encouraged by what they saw.

       "We're excited," Head Coach Justin Schulte said. "We saw some things pitching-wise that were surprising. I think we can put a staff together based on what I saw. I thought we played good defense. The hitting was behind, but at this point of the season, that's the least of our worries."

       As a two-year school, returning sophomores are the cornerstone of SCC's 2009 squad. Among the returning players are pitchers Luis Castrodad, who in 2008 lead the nation with 13 saves and lead SCC with 50 RBI; and Marcus Ledbetter, who finished with a record of 7-1 primarily as the team's set-up man. Offensively, SCC returns catcher Angel Rosa, who led the '08 club with 13 homeruns; 1B/OF Chris Vergne, who hit .413 with a .990 fielding percentage; Luis Rodriguez, the versatile infielder who hit .353 with 47 runs scored in 49 starts; OF Daniel Rodriguez, who hit .274 with 11 doubles despite missing significant time with a wrist injury; and speedy OF Joey Bergles, who had a .556 on-base percentage in '08.

       Two sophomore transfers -- RHP Andres Castro and C Gio Todaro -- and freshmen fill out the rest of the roster. But for such a young club, there is no shortage of talent and diversity. The freshmen class hail from 10 states, five countries, one U.S. territory (Puerto Rico), and three continents. Among the group are multi-year state high school champions, First Team All-State players, Major League Baseball Academy prospects and national representatives for various international tournaments.

       Schulte highly values incoming players with winning backgrounds. After all, winning and advancing players to the next level are the two main goals of Schulte and his staff. That is evident in Schulte's three-year SCC and 10-year overall track record.

       In 2008, Schulte's Blackhawks won 35 games - second most in school history. In his three seasons at SCC, Schulte has won 103 games, the most in any three-year span in SCC history. He has now won 379 games in 10 seasons as a head coach at the collegiate level. And that's just the beginning.

       The 2008 class alone saw  former SCC outfielder Robert Ortiz sign a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks and 12 other players move on to play at four-year colleges, highlighted by RHP Rob Sorensen signing the University of Northern Iowa, an NCAA D-I program in the Missouri Valley Conference. The signing of Ortiz by the Diamondbacks marks the fourth consecutive season in which a Blackhawk has signed with an MLB organization, making SCC the only JUCO in Iowa to accomplish that feat.

       Including the 12 signees from the 2008 class, 30 of Schulte's players have moved on to play at either the Major League level or at four-year colleges in his three seasons at the Blackhawks' skipper -- an average of 10 players per year. Before Schulte's tenure, SCC averaged less than six players moving on each season. For a complete list of SCC baseball alumni and more information, click here.

       SCC opens its fall schedule on Labor Day . For the complete fall schedule, click here.

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