Danville Dans - www.danvilledans.com

For those that love the game!

2011-07-17T09:02:00.001-05:00

I just picked up a copy of the Dickson Baseball Dictionary - sound kinda' dull? All 957 pages of it. Think again - it is a great read for those who love the game.

Do you know what a "raisin game" is, or a "mush bag," or a "looney joe?" Ever heard of a "do-fer pitch?" It was a term used by Terre Haute, IN MLB pitcher, Tommy John, for a pitch that will work ("do-fer-awhile") until the pitcher gets something else going.

John is also known, of course, as the first player to come back and play in the majors after innovative ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction. The procedure was dubbed "Tommy John Surgery."

Back to words. If your interest has not yet been peaked, how about: a "needle nose," the "Rouge Hose," a "sliding dolly," or the guy who is "under the willow." I've thrown out some of the historic or unusual terms, but the book includes thousands of words from today's game as well.

There are over 18,000 individual entries and over 250 photos, providing a comprehensive history and fascinating incite into the world of baseball.

AND NOW WE KNOW!

2011-07-08T07:51:00.002-05:00

Special thanks to Dave Murphy and his family for providing Danville Stadium memories and showing us a part of it's history not recorded or seen by anyone I know of for the last 65 years.

I just finished scanning 12 very special pictures that look to be postcards and are most certainly original pictures of the building of Danville Stadium. We now know that the "boss" of the project was Ernie Hayworth, that his crew included Joe Rodgers and Freemont Rodgers. We even know what they look like. We know that the picture we have, which we thought was the building of the stadium, is really a renovation to replace wooden beams with steel.

What a gift to the community and it's baseball fans and historians! Everyone come out tomorrow night and help us celebrate!

Blast from the Past

2011-07-03T07:00:00.004-05:00

Wow - 65 years of stories and memories of teams and times at Danville Stadium. From those days long ago, we have photographs of the construction of the Stadium, the first team to play there - the Danville Dodgers, Sachel Paige standing on the field, and many, many other pictures that tell the story of it's history.

Today, we are lucky enough to live in a digital age where we can relive the action. In 1996, eight Danville Dans helped lead the LSU Tigers as they won the College World Series. Leading the group was Warren Morris, who won an ESPY award by hitting a walk-off home run called "The Shot Heard Round the Bayou." Check out -

<"http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=williams/110615_warren_morris_college_world_series&sportCat=ncaa">

The other Dans on the team were: Tom Bernhardt, Patrick Coogan, Brian Dougherty, Chris Demouy, Tim Lanier, Keith Polozola, and Trey McClure.

Come help celebrate the 65th at the Danville Dans game on July 9th!

TWO MORE DANS GET MLB CALL

2011-06-08T15:20:00.002-05:00

In this afternoons MLB Draft two more Dans were chosen. Austin Nola went to Toronto in the 31st round and Jason Nappi went to the Angels in the 42nd round! Congratulations Dans! More story to come.

DANS LAMM GOES IN 6TH

2011-06-07T23:38:00.003-05:00

2009 Danville Dan, Mark Lamm (Vanderbilt)was drafted today by the Atlanta Braves in the 6th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft. Congratulations Mark!

MAHTOOK GOES IN ROUND 1

2011-06-06T21:31:00.006-05:00

2009 Danville Dan, Mikie Mahtook, has been selected in the first round (31 overall) of the major league draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. Mahtook is the 5th Danville Dan to go in round one.

Congratulations Mikie from the Dans Family!

BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT

2011-05-31T10:20:00.003-05:00

Cheer on Danville Dans (past or present) who made the NCAA Div. I NCAA Tournament. San Francisco, University of Central Florida, Austin Peay, Mississippi St., and Vanderbilt. Good luck Dans! The tournament begins with Regionals on Friday June 3rd.

Dans News Note

2011-05-04T06:19:00.005-05:00

Minnesota Twin, Matt Tolbert (Dans 2001) caught the last out on a hard liner from Adam Dunn, to seal yesterday's no-hitter for Francisco Liriano against the Chicago White Sox. Matt had an assist or put out in all three outs in the 9th.

KING KATZ!

2011-05-03T12:35:00.003-05:00

LSU sophomore first baseman/outfielder Mason Katz (Dans 2010) enjoyed a remarkable weekend series versus Kentucky, batting .727 (8-for-11) in three games with five doubles, one homer, six RBI and six runs scored.

Mason’s pinch-hit, two-RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 1 on Thursday highlighted an eight-run LSU rally as the Tigers rebounded from a 5-1 deficit and posted a 9-5 victory ... he started a first base in Game 2, going 4-for-5 at the plate with a school record-tying three doubles, two RBI and three runs scored ... in Game 3, he was 3-for-5 with two doubles, one homer, two RBI and two runs.

In four consecutive at-bats from the seventh inning of Game 2 through the third inning of Game 3, Katz collected three doubles and a home run ... LSU junior centerfielder Mikie Mahtook (Dans 2009) hit .429 (6-for-14) last week with two doubles, one homer, five RBI, five runs and four stolen bases.

Coghlan Takes two To Yard

2011-04-26T06:51:00.005-05:00

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=14154613&topic_id&c_id=mlb&tcid=fb_video_14154613

Cut and past this link to see highlights of former Dan, Chris Coghlan, hit two home runs against the LA Dodgers. Score at that point in last night's game - LA zero, Coghlan 2.

COLEMAN BANGS STRIKES IN DEBUT

2011-04-22T07:25:00.001-05:00

The following is a story on Coleman's debut posted at MLB.com:

KANSAS CITY -- Royals manager Ned Yost wasted no time getting rookie Louis Coleman his first exposure to the big leagues. Just hours after his arrival, Coleman was brought in to pitch against Cleveland, relieving Sean O'Sullivan after a leadoff single in the Indians' seventh.

That was Yost's plan -- get through at least six innings with O'Sullivan, then go to Coleman, Aaron Crow and, if necessary, Joakim Soria. As it turned out, Soria was not needed because Coleman notched two shutout innings and Crow worked a scoreless ninth to get credit for the 3-2 victory.

Watch video and read more on MLB.com

"Both those kids came in banging strikes," Yost said. "That's key. If you're coming in late in key games, you've got to bang strikes."

Coleman, right in character with his Minor League strikeout credentials (16 in seven innings), struck out the first batter he faced, Adam Everett. He retired three batters in the seventh. In the eighth, he gave up two hits but got help when center fielder Melky Cabrera threw out a runner at the plate.

The ecstatic Coleman was oblivious to the weather conditions -- rain and temperatures around 50 degrees -- in his Major League debut.

"You always think of a sunny day, the wind blowing in, just perfect conditions," Coleman said. "But today it was raining, you had to make do. Still, it didn't feel like it was raining or that it was cold. It was a blast and everything I thought it would be. Like everybody says, it was a dream come true."

A walk-off victory made it even sweeter.

Yost was impressed by his latest rookie reliever.

"We got a real good view of him in Spring Training of how good he is, and he showed it again tonight in his Major League debut," Yost said. "No butterflies, just came in on the attack."

Dan Called up to Majors

2011-04-21T17:41:00.003-05:00

Louis Coleman (LSU-Dans 2006) has been called up to the Kansas City Royals from AAA Omaha, bringing the number of Dans Alumni to play major league baseball to 19. GOOD LUCK LOUIS!

Note: In his first major league appearance, Louis pitched two shutout innings of relief tonight against the Cleveland Indians.

DANS ALUM NAMED SEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

2011-04-04T16:13:00.003-05:00

BATON ROUGE, La. - LSU junior outfielder, and 2009 Danville Dan, Mikie Mahtook has been named SEC Player of the Week.

Mahtook led the Tigers to three wins in four games last week, batting .643 (9-for-14) with two homers, two triples, six RBI and six runs scored. He batted .636 (7-for-11) in LSU's series win over Ole Miss with two homers, one triple, five RBI, four runs scored and one stolen base.

Mikie launched two homers in the Game 1 victory, marking the fourth two-dinger game of his career. He also made a brilliant running catch in right-centerfield for the final out in Sunday's series-clinching win.

Mahtook, who is riding a 14-game hitting streak, is batting .515 (17-for-33) in SEC games.

DANVILLE SAYS GOODBYE TO THE DUKE

2011-02-27T15:45:00.003-06:00

Area fans saw Dodger great, Duke Snider, hit a home run over the right field wall at Danville Stadium on June 20, 1947, when the Brooklyn Dodgers came to town to play their farm club, the Danville Dodgers. The Hall of Fame center fielder for the "Boys of Summer" died early today at the age of 84.

"The Duke of Flatbush" hit .295 with 407 career home runs, played in the World Series six times, and helped bring the Brooklyn Dodgers their only World Series Championship. Snider still holds the Dodgers all time home run record at 389, hitting at least 40 home runs in five different seasons. The eight-time All-Star was one of “Dem Bums," deeply loved by the fans of the Borough of Brooklyn.

In Dodger blue, Snider wore No. 4 and was regarded as one of baseball’s best center fielders in a time considered by many, the golden age of baseball.

Danville Stadium and the Danville Dans join the baseball nation in sending condolences to “The Duke’s” wife Beverly, and their family and friends.

DANS HELP SPUR LSU TO 3-0 START

2011-02-21T12:34:00.003-06:00

BATON ROUGE - A pair of three-run homers by junior Mike Mahtook (Dans 2009)and sophomore Mason Katz (Dans 2010) fueled the No. 15 LSU baseball team past Wake Forest, 9-1, to complete the series sweep on Sunday in Alex Box Stadium.

With the win, the Tigers (3-0) have now swept all three home-opening series at the new Alex Box Stadium. LSU swept Villanova to open the season in 2009, and won three-straight against Centenary to start the season in 2010. Mahtook notched home runs in each of the 3 games.

DANS ALUM NAMED PRESEASON SBC PITCHER OF THE YEAR:

2011-02-19T12:01:00.002-06:00

Arkansas State junior starting pitcher and 2009 Dans alumni, Jacob Lee, has been named Sun Belt Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

Lee also earned a Preseason All-Conference nod. He is the top returning pitcher for the Red Wolves from last season, whose pitching staff ranked third in the Sun Belt Conference.

Jacob is coached by Tommy Raffo.

COLLEGE BASEBALL SEASON KICKS OFF WITH A BANG!

2011-02-05T15:31:00.004-06:00

Dans alumni began the college season yesterday when St. Leo (FL) defeated Valdosta State with a 19 run barrage.

2010 and 2011 pitcher Aaron Brandt pitched 5 innings, earning with win, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 8. 2010 Alumni, Anthony Santa, blasted a home run over the left field wall, and 2008 Danville Dan Frank Rawdow (a Mississippi State transfer) went 4 for 6. 2009 and 2010 Dan catcher Jason Hamm went 2 for 5 in the win.

Great start Dans! The college baseball season kicks off in full force on Feb. 18th

DAN ALUM NAMED ALL-AMERICAN

2011-02-05T15:22:00.002-06:00

2009 Danville Dan, Mikie Mahtook, was named Friday to the 2011 Baseball America magazine first-team preseason all-American squad. The designation is the 2nd preseason honor for Mikie, who was named to Collegiate Baseball 2nd team in December.

A native of Lafayette, LA, Mahtook hit .335 for the LSU Tigers last season with 19 doubles, four triples, 14 homes, 50 RBI, 68 runs and 22 steals. Last summer, he helped lead the U.S. Collegiate National Team to the silver medal at the World University Championships in Tokyo.

DANS ALUM NAMED TO PRESEASON LIST

2011-02-04T14:41:00.003-06:00

Brett Huber (Dans 2009) has been named to the preseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association (NCBWA).

Huber was named an All-SEC selection and freshman team selection a year ago before claiming Freshman All-American Honors. The Ole' Miss right-hander posted 12 saves and a 2-0 record for the Rebels last year, along with 54 strikeouts, walking only 19 batters.

Established seven years ago, the Stopper of the Year award is presented annually to the top relief pitcher in the nation. Nominations for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award were made by baseball sports information/media relations contacts. The final awards will be released Wednesday, June 1, prior to the start of NCAA regional tournament competition.

Baseball loses old friend!

2011-01-19T16:40:00.002-06:00

Notes from Jeanie - everyone I know has lots and lots of memories of Bob Kay. He was just one of those guys whose stories were so rich and rare, his sense of humor so keen, and his interest in others so great, you just knew he would be with us forever. And in a way that's true. My favorite time spent with Bob, no doubt, was a trip to Indianapolis, before the Stadium's 50th Anniversary, to meet with Earl Conklin, one of the original Danville Dodgers. By the time we got there, my cheeks ached from laughter! It was a memorable day, listening to those two reminisce about the early days at the Stadium. Baseball is timeless and Bob is timeless as well.

DANS MORELAND (2005) TURNS TIDE FOR RANGERS

2010-10-31T08:03:00.001-05:00

Column by EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News
egrant@dallasnews.com

ARLINGTON – In 1996, the last time a team came back from being down two games to none in the World Series, a single at-bat defined the New York Yankees' march to the title.

The Rangers now have an at-bat to match Jim Leyritz's series-changing home run from 1996.

It came from the most unlikely of places: No. 9 hitter Mitch Moreland.

Moreland's second-inning, two-out, three-run homer put the Rangers on top Saturday in what turned out to be a 4-2 win in Game 3 of the World Series. To say it gave the Rangers a lead would be an understatement. To say it gave the Rangers life might be an understatement, too.

"It was the one shot we'd needed," said Jeff Francoeur. "When we've won, we've scored a couple of runs early and given our pitchers room to operate and dominate. All of a sudden, we had that."

Francoeur knows just how important the at-bat was. He had made the second out of the inning just moments earlier, failing to get a ball in the air so that Nelson Cruz, who was at third after leading off the inning with a double, could score.

When Moreland came to the plate, the Rangers were in danger of wasting another opportunity. Their Game 1 loss was filled with wasted opportunities. In Game 2, the Rangers went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in a 9-0 loss.

Wasting another opportunity early in Game 3 might have sucked the air out of the largest crowd ever to watch a game in Arlington (52,469) and sapped the fabled resiliency right from this Rangers team.

Moreland made sure it didn't happen.

After San Francisco lefty Jonathan Sanchez pitched around Bengie Molina to get to the left-handed hitting Moreland, the rookie calmly took the first two pitches to get to 2-and-0. But he fouled off a fastball, seemingly missing a great chance to capitalize, then took a second called strike.

Only then did the at-bat really begin. Moreland, whom the Rangers drafted as much for his pitching ability as his bat, dug in, determined to get something up in the strike zone with which to do something. Sanchez was determined not to give him another fastball.

And so the war waged. Moreland fouled off a pair of sliders. Then Sanchez threw successive changeups. Moreland fouled both of those off. It left Sanchez virtually no option but to come back with a fastball. He left it in the hitting zone, and Moreland drove it out of the park, changing the game.

"I knew he was going to pitch me tough," said Moreland, whose repertoire as a left-handed pitcher pretty much mimicked the low 90s fastball, slider, changeup combo that Sanchez threw at him. "I feel like I've had a couple of tough situations, long, drawn-out at-bats, and that helped my confidence."

It would not be a stretch to say Moreland's at-bat may have been the biggest of the 213,498 the Rangers have taken since they moved to Texas in 1972.

It would also not be a stretch to say that when the season began, he would be one of the more unlikely candidates to take such an at-bat.

He was still buried on the organization's depth chart behind golden prospects Justin Smoak and Chris Davis . Even after Smoak was traded and Davis was demoted, Moreland was called up only to be a platoon first baseman to face right-handers while Jorge Cantu faced lefties. The Rangers went into the playoffs with that arrangement.

But Moreland has grinded out at-bats all October while Cantu went hitless. He played better defense than the Rangers expected. And so, after Cantu started the first games against lefties in the AL Division Series and AL Championship Series, manager Ron Washington turned to Moreland for the club's first game against a lefty in the World Series.

The reason is simple.

"We've watched him grow up before our eyes," hitting instructor Clint Hurdle said. "He's a tough kid who has showed up at big times. Tonight, he really battled in a big situation. There he is, your No. 9 hitter, a rookie, playing up in a big moment."

He got the Rangers back into the World Series. It doesn't come much bigger than that.

• • •

MORELAND UPDATE

2010-10-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

In last night's Rangers 8-0 win over the Yankees, Mitch (Dans 2005) went 1 for 4 with 2 RBI's. He is batting .500 for the playoff series. GO MITCH!

MORELAND HAS BANNER GAME!

2010-10-17T12:16:00.004-05:00

Dans alumni, Mitch Moreland (2005), went 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI yesterday as the Texas Rangers defeated the New York Yankees 7-2 in the American League playoffs! Go Mitch!

DANS MORELAND IN PLAYOFFS!

2010-10-12T14:33:00.002-05:00

Watch for 1st baseman, Mitch Moreland (Danville Dans 2005), in tonight's American League Division game between his Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays. The game can be seen locally at TBS at 7:00 PM Central Time. GO MITCH!!!!!!

DANS ALUM NAMED TOP RELIEF PITCHER

2010-09-03T13:57:00.002-05:00

2007 Danville Dan, A.J.Griffin (San Diego), has been named the Northwest League's top Right-Handed Relief Pitcher of the Year, amassing a league leading 14 saves in 15 attempts, one shy of the Vancouver Canadians (Oakland A's) single-season record of 15 (Jose Guzman). He was also named to the 2010 Northwest League All-Star team as selected by the 8 managers across the NWL.

CONGRATULATIONS A.J.!

2010-08-11T14:23:00.002-05:00

THE DANS ARE IN A RAIN DELAY BEFORE THE START OF THIS AFTERNOON'S TOURNAMENT GAME IN CHILLICOTHE. FOR CURRENT INFORMATION, GO TO vermilioncountyfirst.com then to WDAN sports. GO DANS!

Mitch Moreland goes 2-for-4 in big league debut

2010-07-30T17:37:00.003-05:00

12:17 AM CDT on Friday, July 30, 2010
By DREW DAVISON / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
ARLINGTON

It caught Mitch Moreland by surprise. After all, he wasn't expecting a life-changing phone call at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday. Triple-A Oklahoma City manager Bobby Jones delivered the news to Moreland, informing him that the Rangers were calling him up.

The Rangers decided to go with Moreland with Ian Kinsler headed to the disabled list. "It's the best feeling in the world," said Moreland, who grew up in Amory, Miss. "I've dreamed of this since growing up and, ever since I could walk, this is what I wanted to do."

Moreland started at first base instead of Chris Davis on Thursday and singled in his first career at-bat. He went 2-for-4.

Moreland was able to fly in his parents and sister to be on hand for his big league debut.

Moreland, who played primarily in the outfield in the minors, will play only first base with the Rangers. His last 12 starts at Triple-A were at first base, and the team feels he is capable of playing it at the major league level.

"I know he is a player, and he's swung the bat well," manager Ron Washington said. "When we knew we weren't going to have Kinsler, we went down and got the best player down there. And that was Moreland."

Moreland comes to the Rangers after hitting .289 with 12 home runs, 29 doubles and 65 RBIs in 95 games with the RedHawks. Over his last 45 games, Moreland has hit .345 with nine home runs, 13 doubles and 40 RBI's.

Moreland off and running!

2010-07-29T21:20:00.005-05:00

Mitch Moreland (Mississippi State - Dans 2005) began his major league career tonight with a base hit, starting at 1st base for the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are leading Oakland in the top of the 7th, 5 to 3. Moreland is currently 1 for 3. Good Luck Mitch!

DANS CAMP CANCELLED

2010-07-25T17:25:00.003-05:00

The last Danville Dan camp, scheduled for this week, has been cancelled. Apologies for any inconvenience. Please email danvilledans@comcast.net for further information.

WHERE DID THE SEASON GO!

2010-07-25T17:15:00.002-05:00

With 11 games to go, I'm getting lots of questions about post-season play. So - here it goes! I'm going to give the explanation a shot.

The 1st half/2nd half winners, in each of the three divisions, will play one another in a one game play-off game scheduled for August 9 at the team with the best overall record. We know the Dans will be in that playoff game. At this time, we do know know where it will be played.

Those division winners will travel to Chillicothe, OH for a one day Championship Series on August 11th. Game one that day will feature the teams with the 2nd and 3rd best overall records playing one another. The winner of that game will play the team with the best overall record in the Championship Game that evening. Games times tba.

Go Dans!

A CELEBRATION IS IN ORDER!

2010-07-17T16:01:00.006-05:00

While the Danville Dans are on the field battling the Dubois Bombers next Saturday night, July 24, their A #1 trainer, Danielle Whitezel, will be celebrating her marriage to her best friend, Chris Jena.

The Dans and their fans wish them the very best! Expect to see Mrs. Jena (and Mr. Jena) back with the Dans the 1st of August.

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES FROM US ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Danville wins Central title

2010-07-05T08:10:00.002-05:00

The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

July 5, 2010

BY CHAD DARE
CNHI

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a winner-take-all contest at Hawkins Field in Nashville, the Danville Dans claimed the Prospect League’s Central Division first-half title with a 6-5 win over the Nashville Outlaws.

Danville right-hander Aaron Lambrix threw four shutout innings of relief to secure the win for the Dans and the title.

“Nashville had really solid approaches all weekend against our pitching and they were a very good fastball hitting team,’’ Danville manager Steve Bieser said. “Aaron came in and did a really good job of changing speeds and hitting his spots. He did a good job of keeping them off-balanced.’’

Lambrix, who is in his second season with the Dans, definitely earned his first save of this season as he got the Outlaws Ryan McCaulley to ground out to end the game with the tying run on third and winning run on first.

Bieser said he stuck with the right-hander from Abilene Christian for two reasons.

“We wanted to stretch him out to get him into the rotation and he was doing as well as any pitcher we put out there against them,’’ he said. “His changeup and breaking ball were the difference in the game.’’

Danville (15-12) rallied from a 4-1 deficit with three runs in the fifth to tie the game 4-4, and then the Dans scored two more in the sixth to take a 6-5 lead as they snapped their four-game losing streak.

“Our guys have done a good job all year of responding in situations like that,’’ Bieser said. “This group doesn’t get too high or too low. Even when we fell behind 4-1, I knew it was still early and these guys were going to battle back.’’

Cole Bieser delivered the game-winning hit for the Dans with a RBI single in the sixth, scoring Jake Huxtable.

While winning the first-half title assures Danville a spot in the postseason tournament, Bieser said there is still more to accomplish.

“We still want to win the second-half title and we’re still playing for home-field advantage,’’ he said. “The worst thing we could do is rest on our laurels.

“Our goal, as it has been all summer, is that we want to keep getting better all summer.’’

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DANS FLAG STATION!

2010-06-17T07:13:00.002-05:00

WDAN, who broadcasts Dans games on live radio and internet, has been named Illinois Radio Station of the Year by the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Part of the Neuhoff Media Corporation, the company took four top awards.

The Neuhoff staff in Danville won a First Place Community Service Award and VermilionCountyFirst.com took first place in Illinois as the best website. Geoff Neuhoff, the owner of WDAN, WDNL and WRHK Radio in Danville, was honorad as Illinois Broadcaster of the Year.

Congratulations to Mike Hulvey (General Manager of WDAN, WDNL, and WRHK) and the Neuhoff team! For more information go to www.vermilioncountyfirst.com.

MAKE THAT TEN!!!!!!

2010-06-13T08:12:00.004-05:00

Dans alumni Jet Butler (Mississippi State) was taken in the 26th round by the New York Mets. A shortstop from Pensacola, Fl, Butler played for the Dans in 2007. Congratulations Jet!

HUBER NAMED ALL-AMERICAN

2010-06-11T09:06:00.003-05:00

Ole' Miss right-hander Brett Huber (Dans 2009) was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America selection by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, the publication announced on Wednesday.

The right-handed reliever also picked up All-SEC honors from the league's coaches when he was named a second team All-SEC selection and was named to the All-Freshman team.

Huber turned in a stellar first season, posting 12 saves and a 2-0 record on the year to help Ole Miss advance to an eighth consecutive NCAA Regional and make an appearance in at least the semifinals of the SEC Tournament for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Eleven of the freshman's 12 saves this season came against Southeastern Conference competition He snagged saves at home against No. 2 Florida, No. 5 LSU and No. 9 Arkansas.

For the year, Huber posted a 3.54 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 19 walks while holding batters to a .216 batting average against in 48.1 innings of work. He also made a team-high 30 appearances, the most relief appearances in a single season by a Rebel pitcher.

Congratulations Brett!

NINE DANS DRAFTED BY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

2010-06-10T10:53:00.000-05:00

Nine Danville Dans players were selected this week in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft.

From the 2008 team (14-9), Matt Bywater (Pepperdine) taken in the 7th round by Baltimore, Austin Ross (LSU) in the 8th by Milwaukee, Zach Walter (San Diego) in the 9th by Arizona, Tyler Hess (Pepperdine) by Atlanta in the 19th, and Johnny Dishon (LSU) in the 42nd by Milwaukee.

2007 Dans chosen include, A.J. Griffin (San Diego) in the 13th by Oakland, James Meador (San Diego) in the 21st by Detroit, Tyler Whitney (Mississippi State) in the 34th by Seattle, and Kevin Cahill (Purdue) in the 41st by Washington.

These players join nearly 200 minor leaguers and 17 major leaguers who are Dans alumni! Congratulations guys!

GAMES ON!

2010-06-08T13:15:00.005-05:00

COME OUT FOR BUFFALO WILD WINGS WEDNESDAY (June 9) AND CHEER THE DANS ON AS THEY PLAY THE DEKALB LINERS!

21 DANS IN REGIONAL PLAY

2010-05-31T13:47:00.005-05:00

21 Danville Dans will be playing in the 2010 NCAA Div. I baseball tournament on 7 different teams, which include the University of San Diego, IL State, Vanderbilt, Louisville, LSU, Baylor, and Ole' Miss.

Dans James Meador(2007), A.J. Griffin (2007), Austin Green (2009-10), Bryan Haar (2010), Andrew Walter (2010), and Zach Walters (2008) will represent their University of San Diego Toreos and will play in the Tempe regional along with Az St., Milwaukee, and Hawaii.

Illinois State will play in the Louisville Regional with Louisville, St. Louis, and Vanderbilt. Their roster includes area standout and 2010 Dan, J.D. Learnard.

Dans Richie Goodenow (2008-09)and Mark Lamm (2009) will travel with their Vanderbilt teammates to the Louisville regional as well.

From Louisville, three Dans alumni include Assistant Coach, Xan Barksdale (2002), Drew Haynes (2008), and Justin Amlung (2009).

Brett Huber (2009) and Brooks Oursler (2010) represent Ole Miss who will journey to Virgina for their Regional play against Virginia, VCU and St. John's.

Dan Evatt (2008) will be playing with Baylor at TCU.

LSU, last year's National Champion, will travel to UCLA and play UC Irvine to kickoff the tournament. Kent St. will also play at UCLA. The 6 Dans on the Tiger squade include: Mason Katz (2010), Mikie Mahtook (2009), Austin Ross (2008), Alex Edward (2009), Johnny Dishon (2008, and Austin Nola (2009.

Good luck Dans!

Regional play will begin June 4 and conclude June 7. Winners will advance to the Super Regional to qualify to reach the College World Series in Omaha.

NOLA NAMED MVP OF SEC TOURNAMENT

2010-05-30T22:36:00.004-05:00

2009 Danville Dan, Austin Nola, has been named MVP of this year's SEC Tournament. The sophomore from Baton Rouge batted .457 (7-for-16) with a triple, three doubles, and four RBI. It was an honor 2009 Danville Dan, Mikie Mahtook, received in last year's SEC Tournament. Both Nola and Mahtook were named to the 2010 SEC All-Tournament Team.

LSU won the tournament, defeating Alabama 4-3 in 11 innings. Two other Dans (both 2010) also had an outstanding tournament. In the championship game, the Tigers got out to an early lead when Alex Edward came across the plate on a double by Gaudet. In the 7th inning, Mason Katz "made in incredible sliding catch and doubled-up a runner to end the Alabama threat."

DENNIS' SOUTHERN INDIANA SCREAMING EAGLES WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

2010-05-29T17:14:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to Taylor Dennis (Dan 2010) whose Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles won the NCAA Div. II National Championship in Cary, N.C.,today, defeating UC San Diego 6 to 4.

2010 DANS TAKES SOUTHERN INTO NATIONAL TITLE GAME

2010-05-28T13:06:00.008-05:00

Congratulations to 2010 Danville Dan and Covington resident, Taylor Dennis, who led his Southern Indiana team to a 3-2 victory over Georgia University in the NCAA Div. II Men's National Tournament. The game prevented the team from elimination and propelled them into the National Championship Game in Cary, N.C. against the University of California San Diego at 11:00 Central time tomorrow (May 29th).

DIAMOND NOTES

2010-05-28T06:46:00.003-05:00

2007 Danville Dan (Mississippi State, Ricky Bowen, has been promoted to the Dayton Dragons (Midwest League Class A) in the Reds organization.

From Baseball America - For the second straight day Thursday, the Tigers got encouraging signs that their pitching is on the mend—which seems to be helping the defending national champions rediscover their missing swagger. LSU continued its resurgence with a 7-5 win against Vanderbilt behind eight strong innings from starter Austin Ross,Danville Dan 2008.

Ross allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over eight-plus innings, and held Vandy hitless from the third through the eighth.
Head Coach Paul Mainieri: "The kid is a dominating pitcher except for that one inning when he seems to give up multiple runs, but you just never know when that inning's going to happen. Usually it happens in the fourth or the fifth, today it was the second. But I really didn't fault him all that much. They hit the ball. It wasn't like he was walking batters. I thought the kid showed a lot, he kept challenging hitters . . . He wasn't trying to nibble too much, and I think he really was very, very aggressive, and even his slider, he had good depth on his slider, he was keeping it down and he was throwing it for strikes too. I just think he was masterful tonight. I think he pitched as well as he possibly can tonight."

Mainieri: "Ross was really phenomenal. I mean, he was the story of the game. I was just saying how much fun it is to get good starting pitching. It allowed us to be very aggressive offensively—the hit-and-run, trying to take extra bases.

The SEC Tournament continues today.

DANS TAKE SEC BASEBALL HONORS

2010-05-27T18:17:00.003-05:00

Shortstop Austin Nola (LSU-Dans 2009) and Brett Huber (Ole Miss-Dans 2009) have been named All-SEC 2nd Team. Huber has also been named to the SEC All Freshman Team along with Chris Stratton (Mississippi State - Dans 2010). Congrats!

TAYLOR LEADS EAGLES IN POST-SEASON PLAY

2010-05-25T21:07:00.003-05:00

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The ninth-ranked University of Southern Indiana baseball team opened NCAA Division II Baseball Championship Series play with a late-night victory over 11th-ranked Minnesota State University, 8-6, Sunday evening in Cary, North Carolina. On the mound, junior right-hander Taylor Dennis (Dans 2010)gave the Eagles seven strong innings to win his 11th of the season. Dennis (11-1 overall, 4-0 postseason) tied the USI single-season record for wins by allowing one run on seven hits. He also struck out six MSU hitters. The Screaming Eagles advance to play sixth-ranked Kutztown University in the winner’s portion of bracket two at 6 p.m. (CDT) Tuesday

DANS DIAMOND NOTES

2010-05-21T06:46:00.003-05:00

LSU 3rd baseman, Alex Edward (Dans 2010), had an outstanding game last night in a 14-13 slugout with Mississippi State. The freshman finished 3 for 5 with a homer and an RBI.

Missisippi State 2nd baseman, and incoming Dan, Sam Frost, was 1 for 3 with an RBI.

A total of 6 Dans played in the game. The series contintues today.

DABO SWINGING HOT BAT

2010-05-17T14:35:00.006-05:00

Click Here 2008 and 2009 Dan, Dabo Worthington, swings a hot bat at Southern University in Baton Rouge.

COGHLIN SWING HOT BAT

2010-05-17T12:32:00.004-05:00

Collectively, the Marlins have had 1,310 at-bats in 38 games.

Perhaps none was bigger than Chris Coghlan's three-run homer off Fernando Nieve in the seventh inning on Sunday afternoon. (Note: Coghlan, 2009 National League Rookie of the Year is a 2004 Danville Dan alumni)
Over the course of the season, there may have been bigger results on a hit. But no single at-bat was constructed better, according to Marlins teammate Cody Ross.

Coghlan's pinch-hit home run capped a 12-pitch showdown with the hard-throwing New York reliever. At the time, New York trimmed a seven-run deficit to one. The Marlins went on to win, 10-8, completing their first-ever four-game sweep of the Mets in Miami.

"For me, it was the best at-bat of the year, from anybody," said Ross, who had a four-hit game, and was on first when the ball cleared the wall in center field. "It was amazing to come up there and foul off so many pitches, and to keep battling. And to stay within himself."

Coghlan remarkably fouled off seven straight pitches after the count was 1-2. The 11th pitch was a slider in the dirt for ball three.

With the count full, Coghlan unloaded on a 95 mph fastball.

"The fact that he was able to take 2-2 and be able to go to 3-2 is impressive," Ross said. "As a hitter, you tend to get caught up in swing mode, where you are fouling pitches off, fouling pitches off. It seems like everything they throwing, you're swinging at, because you're trying to protect.

"He threw a changeup and [Coghlan] took it. That was a big pitch right there."

Off the bat, it was unclear if the ball would have the distance. In fact, Ross said he was heading back to first base to tag up. But the ball was well hit, and it landed on the blue targ in straight away center.

Mets center fielder Angel Pagan's reaction indicated the ball was gone.

"Once I saw Pagan turn his back and start jogging, I was thinking, 'He really got that ball good.' I was actually going to go back and tag at first, and go to second," Ross said. "Once I realized he didn't have a chance, I was like, 'Wow!' "

Coghlan was pinch-hitting for Brett Carroll.

"I know it was a big at-bat for the team, after the Mets had come back and made it close," Coghlan said. "To come off the bench and put the game out of reach, that's pretty much what you try to do when you come off the bench."

-- Joe Frisaro

Update - Danny Worth Gets 1st RBI

2010-05-16T14:02:00.004-05:00

In his first career at bat, Danny Worth drove in Migiel Cabrera with a single to right.

WORTH CALLED UP TO MAJORS

2010-05-16T08:31:00.003-05:00

Danny Worth (Pepperdine) becomes the 17th Dan to play major league baseball as he joins the Detroit Tigers today, May 16th, 2010. Danny will wear #29.

Worth was a member of the 2005 Dans (34-12) and one of 11 players drafted from that team.

Worth was coached by Jamie Sailors and was hosted by Pat & Elaine O'Shaughnessy.

Dans Meador Honored

2010-05-09T06:57:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to 2007 Danville Dan, James Meador (San Diego) for his selection as an April Star of the Month by the San Diego Hall of Champions for his outstanding performance as last year's conference Player of the Year. James was 22-for-55 (.400) with 7 doubles, 2 home runs and 19 RBI's for a team that went 12-0 in West Coast Conference Play. He also earned WCC Player of the Week honors with a 4-for-5 game that included 4 RBI's and a homer against Gonzaga.

DAN GAINS GLVC FIRST TEAM HONORS

2010-05-08T06:54:00.002-05:00

The University of Indianapolis's Donovan Drake (Danville Dan 2009 and 2010) has been named to the Great Lakes Valley Conference first team baseball squad.

Donovan has a 6-4 record with a 3.23 ERA, 2.11 in conference play. He has 5 complete games including two shutouts. Opponents have been held to a .228 batting average. He has struck out 64 and walked only 19 in 64 innings.

2010 DANS DUO LEADS PEPPERDINE

2010-04-17T09:10:00.005-05:00

Nearly half-way through the college baseball season, two Danville Dans lead Pepperdine in hitting.

Leading the team is shortstop Mike Silverstein, hitting .315 in 89 at bats with 28 hits, 3 doubles, and 8 walks. Coming in with a batting average of .310, outfielder Floyd Given has 2 home runs, 22 hits, 3 doubles and 9 walks.

Silverstein is a redshirt sophomore from Bell Canyon, CA and is the son of Mark Silverstein and Jan Schmidt. Given is a junior from Rohnert Park, CA and is the son of Floyd and Deborah Given.

The 2010 Danville Dans open at home on June 3. For more information type in address: http://www.danvilledans.com

THIS DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY.....

2010-04-15T09:17:00.003-05:00

This day in baseball history, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, taking his first at bat with the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers. On June 20th of that same year, the Dodgers played an exhibition game at Danville Stadium, beating the farm team Danville Dodgers 14-7.

A standing room only crowd of 6,052 watched Robinson on the field with other luminaries like Pee Wee Reese, Duck Snider, Eddie Stanky and Gil Hodges. Stanky and Snider each cracked home runs.

2010 DAN EARNS HONOR

2010-04-14T09:44:00.001-05:00

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana (USI) junior right-handed pitcher Taylor Dennis (Dans 2010) has been named GLVC Pitcher of the Week.

Dennis gave USI a seven-inning complete game on Saturday to help the Eagles sweep the first half of a four-game series at Rockhurst University. The communications major scattered four hits to shutout the Hawks in his only start of the week. He also struck out six batters.

For the season, Dennis is 4-1 in nine starts. He also has struck out 27 batters in 48innings of work.

As a team, the Eagles moved up to 22nd in the Collegiate Baseball/Division II Top 30 poll and 15th in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Top 25. USI was 28th last week in the Collegiate Baseball poll and 22nd in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll.

For more 2010 Dans information, type in address bar: http://www.danvilledans.com.

DANS DIAMOND NOTES - IN THE PROS

2010-04-09T09:52:00.010-05:00

Wondering where your favorite Danville Dan is this season? Here's an update. Danny Worth (05) is in AAA with the Toledo Mudhens and was on the major league roster during spring training. Jason Anderson*, Danville's own, is in Lehigh Valley AAA.

Dan Kasczrowski (League MVP 08) is with the Advanced A Visalia Rawhides, Ricky Bowen (07) with the Rookie League Billings Mustangs, Dan Black (07) with Single A Kannapolis Intimidaters, and Kiel Roling (07) with the AA Tulsa Drillers.

And we're just getting started with what we know to date.

Ryan Schimpf (07) is with the A Lansing Lugnuts, David Born (06) with the Rookie League Casper Ghosts, Ricardo Pecina (06) with the High H Potomac Nationals, Bryce Stowell (06) with the Kinston Indians High A club, and Billy Alvino (06) with the West Michigan Whitecaps A level.

Tanner Roark (06) is in AA with the Frisco Roughriders, Evan Button (06) with the short season Yakima Bears, and Aaron Weatherford (06) with the short season Tri City Dust Devils.

Louis Coleman (06)is in AA with the North West Arkansas Naturals. From the 2005 Dans, Justin Snyder(05)with the AA Trenton Thunder, Neil Schenk with the High A Charlotte Stone Crabs, Dan Sattler with High A Stockton Ports, Wes Roemer with the AA Mobile Bay Bears, Dusty Napoleon with the Stockton Ports High A, Mitch Moreland in AAA with the Oklahoma City Redhawks, and Jeff Flagg with the the A level Savanah Sand Gnats.

In AAA from the 2003 team, Van Pope with the Gwinett Braves and Kory Feiner with the Louisville Bats. From 2001 - Matt Tolbert* with the AAA Rochester Redhawks and Eric Stults* with the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes.

In the majors, Jon Papelbon (01)with the Boston Red Sox, Chris Coghlan (04)with the Mariners (2009 Rookie of the Year), Matt Daley (03)with the Colorado Rockies and Randy Ruiz (1999) with the Toronto Blue Jays.

More to come! (Note * indicates major league experience)

LEE NAMED TO NATIONAL HONOR ROLL

2010-04-08T13:34:00.003-05:00

Arkansas State sophomore Jacob Lee (Dans 2009) has been named to the CollegeBaseball360.com Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll for his performance on the mound in leading the Red Wolves to a 3-1 victory over No. 18 Western Kentucky April 4.

Lee, one of just 16 players from across the nation to be named to the list, struck out eight batters in 6.2 innings to get the win and help ASU earn the series victory in Sunday's decisive game three against the Hilltoppers.

Lee held the opponent, who came into the series averaging 9.5 runs per game, to a single run in the Sunday finale. The Jonesboro, Ark. native surrendered just five hits, all singles, along the way. After giving up three hits and walking in a run in the first three innings, Lee settled in and retired the next 12 batters he faced to put the Red Wolves in position to earn the win.

FORMER DAN HITS FOR CYCLE

2010-04-07T07:03:00.004-05:00

BATON ROUGE, La. - No one was happier for 2009 Danville Dan Austin Nola when he hit for the cycle last summer, than Dans and LSU teammate Mikie Mahtook. Last night, the tables turned. It was Mikie who hit for the cycle and Austin who cheered him on. The third-ranked Tigers pounded 20 hits as LSU defeated Alcorn State, 17-5, Tuesday night in Alex Box Stadium.

Nola was the first Dan to hit for the cycle and Mahtook became the first Tiger to do so since Aaron Hill accomplished the feat on April 5, 2003 against South Carolina. Mahtook went 4-for-4 with five runs scored as he doubled in the first inning, singled in the second, ripped a triple off the wall in the fifth and blasted a two-run dinger in the sixth.

Way to go Mikie!

Bywater Named WCC Co-Pitcher of the Week

2010-03-30T16:59:00.001-05:00

MALIBU, Calif. - Pepperdine junior Matt Bywater (Danville Dans 2008) Monday was named West Coast Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week for the 2nd time this season.

Bywater was recognized by the conference for recording a complete game shutout victory Saturday against Stony Brook. Bywater struck out eight Seawolves in the 3-0 win and got their cleanup hitter Robert Dyer to end the game on a groundout with two runners in scoring position.

The southpaw tossed 100 pitches, scattered six hits, but did not walk or hit a batter. He struck out the side in the first inning before facing the minimum 18 batters up through the seventh.

A 2010 WCC Preseason All-Conference Team selection, Bywater was named to the All-WCC first team in 2009 and to its all-freshman team in 2008. He owns a career record of 15-7 with 150 strikeouts and a 4.05 earned-run average.

DANVILLE STADIUM WELCOMES VARSITY ROOM

2010-03-09T17:45:00.006-06:00

Danville Stadium will welcome a new concessionaire for the 2010 season. "The Varsity Room at the Stadium" will be open for all games beginning early April, including those of Danville High School, Schlarman High School, Danville Area Community College, the Speakers (American Legion Post 210), and of course, the Danville Dans. Dans fans will still be able to enjoy Chicago Style Hotdogs and Sno Cones while enjoying a new look and expanded service.

Stop by the Varsity Room in downtown Danville and you'll get a "taste" of what's to come.

DANS NAME PITCHING COACH

2010-03-09T07:16:00.000-06:00

The Danville Dans have named Talley Haines Pitching Coach for the 2010 season.

After completing his college career at Southeast Missouri and Freed-Hardeman Universities, Haines was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998. During his 9 year tenure in pro ball, he pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies, spending a portion of 7 years in Triple-A.

In 2004 Talley was a Major League Rule 5 selection and was added to the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Roster. He owns a total of five championship rings, ranging from high school, to college, to pro ball where he was a member of two Durham Bulls (AAA) championship teams. Haines was a Double-A All-Star and a member of the 2005 USA National Team.

Making their home in Cape Girardeau, MO, Talley is married to the former Jackie Derwort. They have two daughters, Melaina 2, and Maria 4 months.

Head Coach, Steve Bieser, and Coach Haines bring a combined 22 years of professional ball to the Dans program. They also bring their experience in directing both The Pro Edge Baseball Camps (Bieser) and Balls and Strikes Indoor Baseball Facility (Haines). Watch for further information on Dans camps this summer, to be held June 14-17, July 13-15, and July 27-29.

FOURTEEN DANS TO MEET IN BATON ROUGE

2010-03-01T08:24:00.007-06:00

Thursday night, March 4, the LSU Tiger baseball team will host the Waves of Pepperdine. Fourteen Danville Dans alumni and/or incoming players will be represented in the contest.

Those include Pepperdine's Matt Bywater (08), Trent Diedrich (08), Floyd Given (10), Tyler Brubaker (10), Ryan VanAmburg (09), Nate Johnson (09), Cody Yount(09), and Matt Silversten (10. Dans represented on the LSU squad are Mikie Mahtook (09),Austin Ross (08), Johnny Dishon (08), Alex Edward (10), Austin Nola (09), and Mason Katz (10).

The game begins at 6:30 pm and can be accessed from the LSU website at http://www.lsusports.net.

DANS RELEASE 2010 PRE-SEASON ROSTER

2010-02-27T13:18:00.004-06:00

The Danville Dans have released their 2010 Pre-Season Roster representing 15 different colleges throughout the country. Among those colleges are four ranked in the top 25 in pre-season polls; LSU, Ole Miss, San Diego, and Pepperdine.

Austin Green*, RHP, So, San Diego
Jason Hamm*, C, Jr, St. Leo
Mason Katz, IF/C, Fr, Louisiana State
Alex Edward, IF/OF, Fr, Louisiana State
Jake Huxtable, IF, So, University of Central Florida
Miles Silverstein, SS, So, Pepperdine
Bryan Haar, IF, So, San Diego
Tyler Brubaker, OF, So, Pepperdine
Floyd Given, OF, SO, Pepperdine
Sam Frost, if/of, Fr, Mississippi State
Cole Bieser, cf/util, Fr, SE Missouri
Harry Clark, if/dh/c, Fr, UAB
Aaron Lambrix*, rhp, so, Abilene Christian
Ryan Livingston*, rhp, so, Chapman
JD Learnard, rhp, fr, Il State
Wil Browning, rhp, jr, Louisiana-Monroe
Chad Girodo, lhp, fr, Mississippi State
Donavan Drake*, rhp, so, University of Indianapolis
Taylor Dennis, rhp, jr, Southern IN
Brooks Oursler, rhp, fr, Mississippi
Keven Inman, rhp, jr, Pepperdine
Chris Stratton, rhp fr, Mississippi State
Aaron Brandt, rhp so, St. Leo

*indicates returner

Awaiting two letters of committment, the Dans will roster a total of 26 players. The Dans open at home on Thursday, June 3.

MEADOR NAMED WCC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

2010-02-26T12:36:00.002-06:00

Senior outfielder James Meador of the University of San Diego baseball team (Dans 2007) was been named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week.

Meador, a 6-1 senior from Ramona, Calif., helped lead USD to a 3-1 record last weekend to open up the 2010 season. Meador led the USD offense as he went 8-for-14 (.571) with two doubles, one home run and a team-leading six RBI. In Saturday's game two of the double-header against Indiana University, Meador went 4-for-5 with one double, one home run, two singles and fell just a triple short of hitting for the cycle. Meador is also boasting a .600 on base percentage, and slugging at a .929 clip.

DANS HONORS ROLL ON

2010-02-25T12:30:00.003-06:00

MONROE, La.-University of Louisiana Monroe junior right-hander Wil Browning (Dans 2010) added two more honors to his resume Wednesday when he was tabbed Louisiana Pitcher of the Week for his performance at No. 17 Ole Miss last Friday and named to the CollegeBaseball360.com Primetimer Performer Weekly Honor Roll. Browning was named Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday.

Bywater Earns Pitching Accolade From NCBWA

2010-02-23T17:29:00.000-06:00

MALIBU, Calif. - Pepperdine (Dans 2008) junior left-hander Matt Bywater (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Thousand Oaks HS) Tuesday was named Pro-Line Athletic National Pitcher of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) for the period ending February 21.

BYWATER NAMED WCC PITCHER OF THE WEEK

2010-02-22T21:41:00.002-06:00

MALIBU, Calif. - Junior Matt Bywater (Dans 2008) has been selected as the West Coast Conference's Pitcher of the Week. Bywater was recognized for his complete game shutout of No. 4 Cal State Fullerton last Saturday night at Goodwin Field.

Bywater (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Thousand Oaks HS) scattered four hits and struck out 10 Titans in the Waves' 6-0 victory, marking his fourth career double-digit strikeout game. Twice he left runners stranded at third base following the seventh-inning stretch, and earlier, he induced two double plays to escape jams in the second and fourth innings.

Matt's Player of the Week citation is the first of his career although the conference has previously honored him with three annual awards, including spots on the 2009 All-WCC first team and 2008 All-WCC freshman team.

Bywater currently owns a career win-loss record of 13-4 along with 107 strikeouts and an earned-run average of 4.67. He has also been the recipient of extraordinary run support over his last 11 starts, in which the Waves have posted a 10-1 record while averaging 9.5 runs per game.

2010 Home Schedule Announced

2010-02-21T14:47:00.004-06:00

June 3 vs Dubois
June 8 vs Hannibal
June 9 vs Dekalb
June 12 vs Quincy
June 15 vs Dubois
June 16 vs Dupage
June 17 vs Hannibal
June 18 vs Richmond
June 19 vs Quincy
June 23 vs Terre Haute
June 26 vs Richmond
June 29 vs Beckley
June 30 vs Beckley
July 1 vs Springfield
July 8 vs Dekalb
July 9 vs Terre Haute
July 10 vs Terre Haute
July 13 vs Nashville
July 14 vs Nashville
July 15 vs Terre Haute
July 16 vs Springfield
July 24 vs Dubois
July 28 vs Nashville
Aug 2 vs Springfield
Aug 3 vs Dupage
Aug 5 vs Dubois
Aug 6 vs Richmond

DANS DIAMOND NOTES

2010-02-21T13:25:00.005-06:00

February - 2010

Dans Alumni, Matt Bywater (2008-Pepperdine)pitched the first complete game shutout of his career in Pepperdine's 6-0 win over #4 Cal State Fullerton Saturday night. His effort was capitalized by 10 strikeouts. 2010 Danville Dan, Miles Silverstein finished the night 3-for-4.

2010 Danville Dan, Chris Stratton, won his collegiate pitching debut Saturday, throwing 6 innings of shutout baseball as the Mississippi State Bulldogs shutout Rhode Island 9-0.

In San Diego, the Torreos opened with a double-header against Indiana, winning both. In game one, USD's four and five hitters in the lineup were James Meador (2007) and Bryan Haar (2010) who combined to reach base nine times and produce 7 of the team's 12 runs. Haar was a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate with a double, a walk, and 2 runs scored. Meader, meanwhile, was 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI, 3 runs scored, and a walk.

In game 2, Meador continued his torrid pace going 4-for-5 with 2 extra-base hits while scoring 2 runs in the 9-4 contest.

Pitching just one hour from his hometown in his University of Louisiana Monroe debut, 2010 Danville Dan, Wil Browning, was perfect in 2.2 innings of relief as the Warhawks stunned #17 Ole Miss at Oxford-Univeristy Stadium, defeating the Rebels 6-5 Friday evening. Browning, a native of Kosciusko, MS, entered the game in the 7th with a runner on 1st and one out. He struck out both batter he faced in the 7th and the first batter he faced in the 8th. He finished the game with 4 strikeouts and earned the save.

Danville Dans Austin Nola (2009), Mikie Mahtook (2009), and Austin Ross (2008), helped LSU defeat Centenary in a weekend double header, helping Coach Paul Mainieri earn his 1,000th career win. In game one, Austin Nola had a 2-RBI performance, including the game-winning sacrifice fly, to earn a 5-4 victory. LSU broke a a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the third with a 2 out RBI single by right fielder Mikie Mahtook (2009).

In game two, the winning pitcher was Austin Ross, who went 5.0 innings, allowing no runs on three hits while walking none and striking out five. "Austin Ross gave us a superb performance." commented Mainieri. In the 8th inning, Johnny Dishon (2008, capped off the game ripping a two-run homer to left.

Dans Diamond Notes......

2010-01-31T13:49:00.004-06:00

The West Coast Conference (WCC)has announced the results of their pre-season baseball coaches poll. USD and Pepperdine are picked one/two. The Preseason All-Conference Team is loaded with Dans alumni which include position players James Meador (USD) & Zach Walters (USD) along with pitchers AJ Griffin (USD) and Matt Bywater (Pepperdine).

The 2010 Danville Dans schedule is expected to be released the 2nd week in March.

The Dans 2010 roster will include returners Austin Green (USD), Adam Lambrix (Abiliene Christian), Ryan Livingston (Chapman University), and Donavan Drake (University of Indianapolis).

Outlaws Make Fifteen....

2010-01-31T13:25:00.004-06:00

The Nashville Outlaws, playing at Vanderbilt, become the 15th team for 2010, making the Prospect League (CICL) the fastest growing summer league in the country.

The League will be comprised of three divisions. The East Division will include the Beckley Miners (WV), the Slippery Rock Sliders (PA), the Butler Blue Sox (PA), the NorthCoast Knights (Loraine, OH), and the Chillicothe Paints (OH).

The Dans will be in the Central Divison with the Terre Haute Rex (IN), the Richmond River Rats (IN), the Dubois County Bombers (IN), and the Nashville Outlaws (TN).

The West Division will be comprised of the Dupage Dragons (IL), the Dekalb Liners (IL), the Springfield Rifles (IL), the Hannibal Cavemen (MO), and the Quincy Gems (IL).

DANS ATTENDANCE NEAR TOP

2009-12-29T10:42:00.003-06:00

In spite of a record 5 rainouts, Ballpark Business has placed the Danville Dans 6th in the nation in summer ball attendance for 2009. Joining Danville in the top 50 is Springfield, coming in at 14. Thanks to fans and sponsors for all the support and Happy New Year to All!

PROSPECT LEAGUE EXPANDS FOR 2010

2009-12-10T17:30:00.000-06:00

It was announced today that The Prospect League will expand from eleven to fourteen teams for the 2010 playing season. Joining the league as new members will be the Dekalb County Liners, the Terre Haute Rex and the West Virginia Miners.

The Dekalb County Liners will play at Founder’s Field, located in Sycamore Park in Sycamore, Illinois.

The Terre Haute Rex will play at Sycamore Field on the campus of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana.

The West Virginia Miners will play in the Linda K. Epling Stadium in Beckley, West Virginia.

FORMER MAJOR LEAGUER TO HEAD UP DANS

2009-11-20T07:44:00.002-06:00

DANVILLE, IL. The Danville Dans have named former major leaguer, Steve Bieser, Dans Head Coach for the 2010 Prospect League Season.

Drafted as a catcher by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1989, Bieser played thirteen years of professional baseball for six different Major League organizations, two years at the Major League level with the Mets and the Pirates, and eight at the AAA level. In 1997 he was named New York Mets Rookie of the Year.

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Coach Bieser is currently employed by St. John Vianney High School in Kirkwood, MO as an upper level math teacher and Head Baseball Coach. During his tenure, he has led Vianney to two State Championships and holds
a career record of 120-34.

He is the founder and president of the Saint Genevieve Baseball Club and the Head Coach of American Legion Summer Teams with records that include two State Championships (2007, 2008) and a National Championship (2008).

Coach Bieser has coached five players selected in the first year major league player draft (1st, 5th, 22st, 22nd, & 42nd rounds). Over 80% of his high school players have gone on to play college ball with 12 playing at the Division 1 level, 4 attaining freshmen All-American status, and one named a two-time All-American.

Bieser will bring his experience, directing The Pro Edge Baseball Camps, to Danville Dans campers and individual players, sharing his expertise in the areas of hitting, fielding and pitching. He has had an excellent reputation of producing top notch catching prospects as well.

Coach Bieser is married to the former Diahann Lynn Dunlap. The couple has four children, Cole (18), Whitley (15), Briley (11), and Carley (3).

DANS COGHLAN NAMED MLB ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

2009-11-17T08:47:00.002-06:00

Danville Dans alumni Chris Coghlan has been named National League Baseball Rookie of the Year. The following article appears on MLB.com this morning.

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

It's been more than eight years since that fateful summer of 2001, when Chris Coghlan's father was killed just days before the Marlins infielder-turned-outfielder's 16th birthday.

On Monday afternoon, when he was named the winner of the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award for the National League, Coghlan couldn't help but think of his dad, Tim Coghlan, and how he must be beaming with pride about his son right now.

"I know my dad is watching from heaven with a smile on his face," Coghlan said. "It makes me smile outside and inside, because he was the one who instilled the work ethic in me and taught me the game."

A lot of tears were shed when Coghlan suddenly lost his father in a fatal car accident. But there were plenty of smiles to go around on this day.

This was the day Coghlan's astonishing adjustments to a new fielding position and spot in the lineup received its due diligence, the day everything he's been taught about baseball throughout his entire young life -- lessons from coaches, teammates and, of course, his dad -- came to fruition.

With Monday's announcement by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, Coghlan -- the Marlins' prized prospect from Tarpon Springs, Fla. -- joined American League winner Andrew Bailey of the Athletics, other Marlins honorees in Dontrelle Willis (2003) and Hanley Ramirez ('06), and former ROY winners like Ryan Howard, Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols and Ichiro Suzuki.

Time will tell whether this award vaults him onto a career path as successful as those of Howard, Jeter, Pujols and Suzuki. But Coghlan isn't one to get ahead of himself.

He didn't do it when trying to adjust to left field after a lifetime of playing second and third base, or when he moved to the leadoff spot for the first time in his professional career this season, or even when on the phone with reporters in a conference call on Monday.

"For right now, I can tell you what it means, and that's an honor," Coghlan said.

"To be in that same sentence for the same award, it's an honor, and I feel very blessed to be in this position and the platform I've been put on."

Coghlan's platform is pretty high right now.

The 24-year-old, called up from Triple-A New Orleans on May 8, beat out a talented slate of promising first-year players that seemingly didn't have a favorite going in.

But in the end, Coghlan and the second-place J.A. Happ finished well above the pack.

Coghlan received 17 first-place votes along with six for second and two for third to give him 105 points. The Phillies' left-hander, meanwhile, scored 94 points after receiving 10 first-place votes. Then, falling pretty far back were Braves right-hander Tommy Hanson, Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (two first-place votes each) and Brewers infielder Casey McGehee (one first-place vote).

"We're very proud of him, no doubt," Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said in a phone interview. "We thought he was the Rookie of the Year for quite some time, and it was cemented today."

Coghlan, a lefty contact hitter, posted back-to-back 47-hit months -- becoming the first NL player with 94 hits in a two-month span since Dave Parker in 1978 -- finished sixth in the NL in batting average (.321) and led Senior Circuit rookies in runs (84), hits (162), total bases (232), doubles (31) and on-base percentage (.390).

His batting average was the highest ever by a Marlins rookie -- easily topping the .292 clips of Ramirez and Jeff Conine -- and he is just the eighth Major League rookie in the past 50 years to hit .321 or better.

"He had a great year and deserved the award," Marlins infielder Gaby Sanchez said via text message. "The numbers are just half of what he did. He played great outfield, especially for never playing the position."

In the second half of the season, Coghlan helped keep the low-payroll Marlins in contention with a Major League-leading 113 hits -- 11 more than Jeter -- and added a .372 batting average -- 14 points higher than eventual American League batting champion Joe Mauer.

His hits total in the second half matched Juan Pierre in '04 for the franchise record and was the most in the Majors since 1965.

And through it all, his focus was on one thing: winning.

"At no point when I was playing was my goal to win Rookie of the Year," said Coghlan, the first rookie since Kirby Puckett in 1984 to have 150-plus hits while playing in 130 games or fewer.

"It's an individual accomplishment, and what you're trying to accomplish during the course of the year is winning games. And, so, that wasn't my focus at the time. At the end of the year, I knew that I put myself in a good position to win."

The Marlins were set at the leadoff spot when they had Ramirez hit there the previous three years. But this season, Florida wanted to put its shortstop in a premium run-producing spot in the lineup, and the No. 1 position initially suffered.

That is, until Coghlan took over at that spot on a full-time basis on May 30 and finished leading the NL in batting average (.336) and on-base percentage (.397) as a table-setter.

"You never expect rookies to have those types of years," Marlins vice president of player development and scouting Jim Fleming said in a phone interview. "There's a learning process. We expected him to be a really good hitter, and it just happened a little faster than, I think, you would anticipate."

Coghlan was stopped from playing his natural position of second base because of two-time All-Star Dan Uggla. But that can change next year. The Marlins are reportedly interested in dealing the high-priced Uggla this offseason, and that can open up a return to the infield for Coghlan.

"Hopefully we can retain Danny, but you never know," Coghlan said.

"If there is a change, I think that's something I would like to be looked at or in consideration to move back [to second base]."

Dans Coghlan Honored by USAToday

2009-11-12T07:57:00.002-06:00

USAToday Tabs Dans Alum Chris Coghlan National League's Top Rookie

Former Ole Miss third baseman and current outfielder with the Florida Marlins, Chris Coghlan was named the National League's top rookie by USAToday, the publication announced in its Sports Weekly publication.

The selections were made by a panel of 12 writers from USAToday Sports Weekly and the votes were compiled before the playoffs began.

Coghlan had an outstanding season for the Marlins after moving up to the big leagues on May 8, promptly shifting from the infield to the outfield for the Florida franchise. The converted outfielder moved into the top of the batting lineup and adjusted to his new role quickly.

Coghlan hit .321 for the season to lead all rookies in batting average and also posted a .390 on base percentage. He converted that on base percentage into a solid scoring output as he scored 84 runs on the year.

The Baseball Writer's Association will name its postseason awards beginning November 16, with the announcement of their Rookie of the Year winners from both the National and American leagues.

Coghlan played for the Dans in 2004.

DAN ALUM IN RUNNING FOR MLB ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

2009-11-11T09:52:00.003-06:00

This article is from ESPN sports. Those fans wishing to vote for Chris for Rookie of the year can vote at: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/mlb/awards/y2009/tyib/index.jsp

Chris played for the Dans in 2004. Bill and Pat Westphal were his host family, and he was coached by Bill Ferrari.
.......................................

NL: Chris Coghlan, Marlins

Chris Coghlan
#8 LF
Florida Marlins

It isn't every year that two rookie starters as sensational as J.A. Happ and Tommy Hanson swoop in and go 12-4 and 11-4, respectively, with sub-3.00 ERAs for teams that needed every pitch they threw. But who is the last rookie hit machine remotely like Chris Coghlan? Ichiro? Derek Jeter? Nomar Garciaparra? Well, if those are the names we're comparing this guy to, that pretty much ends the debate about this trophy, wouldn't you say? Coghlan has cranked out more hits (157) than all but three men in the entire National League since his May 8 debut, has more hits (108) than anyone in the sport since the All-Star break and has the highest average (.332), on-base percentage (.394) and OPS (.861) of any NL leadoff hitter for the season. His 48 hits in September were the most by any rookie in 81 years (Chuck Klein, 1928). His 95 hits in August and September combined are the third-most in back-to-back months by any NL player in the expansion era, behind only Pete Rose and Dave Parker -- and the most by any rookie in 62 years (Dale Long, 1947). Five months ago, a lot of people thought the Marlins were crazy to drop this guy into their leadoff hole and a position (left field) he'd played for one day in his pro career. Needless to say, they don't look so nuts anymore. Do they?

OF ALL PLACES!

2009-11-10T11:10:00.004-06:00

This month's Reader's Digest has a letter in their "React" section noting the Danville Dans, in reaction to a letter on the high cost of attending a major league game. It goes, "Soon after moving to Illinois in 1990, I wanted to take my family to Wrigley Field to watch the Chicago Cubs. After checking prices for parking, admission, and meals, however, we realized the closest we'd ever get to the Cubs was the TV in our living room. Nowadays, we drive two and a half miles to watch the Danville Dans, a great bunch of guys who pay for the love of the game, not a seven-figure paycheck. Rooting for the Dans is just as exciting as watching a pro game-and a lot less expensive. No, Sean, it's not just you." Jack Nallett. Thanks Jack, and thanks Deb Wolgomot for drawing this to our attention. We are grateful to the fans and to our sponsors, who enable us to provide affordable entertainment to our community.

Moreland named minor league Player of the Year

2009-11-09T13:55:00.003-06:00

From Scout.com, in a year where Chad Tracy knocked in a Frisco-record 107 runs and Mike Bianucci led the organization with 30 home runs, Danville Dan 2005 alumni Moreland got the nod for minor league Player of the Year because of his remarkable consistency.

Moreland didn’t post a batting average below .296 in any of the minor league regular season's five months. In fact, his next lowest monthly average was .325, which he accomplished in his first full month at Double-A Frisco.

In all, Moreland combined to bat .331 with 38 doubles, 16 home runs and 85 RBIs between High-A Bakersfield and Double-A Frisco.

The 24-year-old had little problem sustaining his success after he was promoted to Frisco. Moreland played in 73 games with the RoughRiders, hitting .326 with 19 doubles, three triples, and eight home runs.

Moreland has a line-drive stroke, but he also has above-average home run power. Even with the power, the Mississippi State product is patient and he doesn’t often swing at pitches out of the zone. In 471 official at-bats this season, Moreland struck out just 68 times–seemingly a rarity in today’s game.

For the second consecutive year, the left-handed hitter was more than effective against his fellow southpaws. Between the two levels, Moreland posted a .350/.430/.561 slash line against lefties. More specifically, he had 16 walks and 16 strikeouts in 123 official at-bats.

Moreland’s outstanding 2009 season turned him into one of the top position prospects in the Rangers’ system, and he could get a shot at the Major Leagues at some point next season.

For the time being, Moreland will try to raise his stock even more in next month’s Arizona Fall League. As Moreland told Lone Star Dugout in his interview yesterday, he expects to play about 75 percent of his games with the Surprise Rafters as an outfielder.

Year Team AVG AB 2B HR RBI R SB BB SO OBP SLG
2009 BAK (A+)/FRI (AA) .331 471 38 16 85 85 2/3 44 68 .391 .527

11-1-09, Mitch is currently hitting .397 playing for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League.

Wherever he’s needed, Dans Kaczrowski shines in field

2009-11-08T09:32:00.004-06:00

YAKIMA, Wash. — Before Dan Kaczrowski embarked on his first professional baseball journey, his college coach made a suggestion.

“He told me it might be a good idea to bring an outfielder’s glove,” Kaczrowski said. “Even though I’d played the infield my entire college career, he said, ‘You never know.’”

It turned out that Jason Verdugo, head coach of the Hamline University Pipers of St. Paul, Minn., was on the right track. He might also have recommended a first baseman’s mitt.

“I didn’t bring one of those, either,” Kaczrowski, a Bears utilityman, said during a recent interview.

Yakima's Dan Kaczrowski warms up to bat as his team plays the Tri-City Dust Devils on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. (Sara Gettys/Yakima Herald-Republic)
And who knows? By the time the Northwest League season ends on Sept. 6, Kaczrowski might need to borrow someone’s catcher’s gear. Or maybe he’ll be summoned to the pitcher’s mound.

Kaczrowski has, after all, played all seven positions other than pitcher or catcher this summer, impressing Yakima manager Bob Didier and others among the Arizona Diamondbacks system.

“He’s also been a DH,” Didier said. “So I guess you’d have to count that, too.”

Have glove, will travel.

That the 5-foot-9, 170-pound Kaczrowski has played so many different positions is one thing. That he’s played each of them well — appearing as well-rehearsed in left field as he has at shortstop or second base — is quite another.

“He’s a baseball player,” Didier said. “I guess that’s the best way to describe him.”

Especially if you trace Kaczrowski’s baseball roots.

The Yakima Bears's Dan Kaczrowski runs for second base as his team plays the Tri-City Dust Devils on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. (Sara Gettys/Yakima Herald-Republic)
“I played everywhere except first and the outfield,” he said of his days at St. Anthony Village High School, located between Minneapolis and St. Paul. “I caught through JVs, and then I was our closer in high school.”

At Hamline (pronounced HAM-lynn), the player known as Kaz to friends and teammates played second base his first two years, then moved to shortstop as a junior and senior.

Early this season Didier, who has a knack for tapping previously unrealized potential, gave Kaczrowski a start in left field. In one of his first games there Kaz made two head-first, diving catches.

“The thing about diving for a ball,” he said, “is you have to know when to do it and when not to. If there are runners on base and you’re in a close game, you don’t want to let the ball to get by you so one or maybe all of them can score. With two out and no one on base — that’s when maybe you dive for one.”

Subsequent moves to center and right revealed similar success. He seems a natural at tracking fly balls, has the speed to reach drives to the gaps and the hands to hang on once he gets there.

Third base, meanwhile, is not called the hot corner for nothing.

“The ball gets on you quick,” Kaczrowski said. “It’s pretty much just reacting.”

His favorite position? “Probably second,” he said.

“The thing with me is, though, that I don’t really care as long as I’m in the lineup. As long as I’m playing — somewhere, anywhere.”

Said Didier, “The good thing about him is has enough arm to play short or third or in the outfield. You can pinch-run him (he began Wednesday night’s game with 10 stolen bases in 12 tries). He has some work to do on his hitting — still tries to pull the ball a little too much (though he had hiked his batting average to .273 prior to Wednesday’s game).

“He’s probably been overlooked some because of his size. But with his versatility, which makes him more valuable to any organization, he has a very bright future.”

And now, a wider selection of gloves.

From sports yakima.com

Dan played for the Dans in 2008, hitting .389 and winning Player of the League honors.

DANS OWE BIG THANKS!

2009-09-02T11:06:00.007-05:00

Thanks to all the host families, the fans, the City of Danville, Rep. Black (love the parking lot!), our invaluable sponsors, and all those that participated in and enjoyed the Dans this summer. Here are some pictures of the last home game to enjoy! Special thanks to Deb Edwards who is one of the outstanding photographers for the Commercial News.

DANS TOP LEAGUE IN ALL STAR SELECTION

2009-08-20T11:42:00.003-05:00

4 Danville Dans have been named Post-Season All-Stars topping all other teams. Congratulations to 1st baseman Dabo Worthington (Southern), 3rd baseman Jason Nappi (Mississippi State), right fielder Austin Green (San Diego), who also caught for the Dans, and catcher Nate Johnson (Pepperdine). Adding to the accolades, center fielder Mickie Mahtook (LSU) was named Prospect League Pro Prospect of the Year.

A complete list can be seen at www.prospectleague.com

Dans score late in big win over Dubois

2009-08-07T22:54:00.002-05:00

Austin Green had a big night at the plate and the Danville Dans scored six times in their final two at-bats to earn a 9-3 victory over the visiting Dubois County Bombers on Friday evening at Danville Stadium.

The game stayed scoreless into the bottom of the third, when Austin Nola got a Danville rally started with a double. After an out, Dabo Worthington knocked a broken-bat single to left to put runners on the corners. Nola was then thrown out attempting to score on a Jason Nappi grounder to third, but Austin Green came through with a two-out, three-run home run to left-center field to give the Dans a 3-0 lead.

The Bombers quickly cut into the lead, as Justin Miller hit a homer to left field on the first pitch of the top of the fourth to cut the lead to 3-1.

Danville squandered chances to extend its lead in the middle innings. In the fourth, the Dans had two runners in scoring position with one out, but Nola grounded out to first and Cody Yount was cut down at the plate on the play on his delayed attempt to score. One frame later, Danville had the bases loaded with one gone, but Scott Schauer popped out to second and Yount struck out looking to end the frame.

The missed offensive opportunities came back to hurt the Dans when Dubois plated a pair of runs in the sixth inning. Justin Miller led off the inning with a single, albeit on a high pop-up that fell in front of home plate due to miscommunication between the Danville fielders. Kyle Richardson walked, and Jared Broughton followed with a two-run double down the left-field line to tie the game at three.

The Dans again loaded the bases in the bottom half of the sixth, courtesy of the Bombers’ Eric Jarrett walking the first three Danville batters of the inning. But again the Dans could not come through, as Jarrett got out of the jam by striking out Nate Johnson and Worthington and retiring Nappi on a pop-up to second.

Danville finally came through again in the seventh, when Green led off with a triple a scored on Scott Schauer’s RBI single. After Byron Williams reached on a third-strike wild pitch and Lewellyn walked, Nola lined a sharp single to left to plate two more and give the Dans a 6-3 lead.

The Dans added another three-spot in the eighth inning. After Green walked and Schauer singled, Yount rolled a slow grounder to third, and Broughton promptly threw the ball wide of first and into right field. It was ruled a single and two-base error, resulting in runs from Green and Schauer. Yount later scored on a wild pitch to give the contest its final 9-3 margin.

Lambrix got a no-decision for Danville, throwing 5 1/3 innings and giving up three runs on six hits while striking out six. Kyle Donawerth got the win 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Greg Houston pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.

Dubois starter Joe Ochs took a no-decision as well, giving up three runs in five innings. Jarrett took the loss, allowing two runs in an inning-plus of work.

Green was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs for the Dans. Schauer was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs. Miller led the Dubois offense, as he went 3-for-4 with two runs.

Danville improves to 31-21 with the victory and remains in the division race, sitting 1 1/2 games behind the Quincy Gems.

Nola hits for cycle to lead Dans past Dupage

2009-08-05T21:42:00.002-05:00

Austin Nola hit for the cycle to lead the Danville Dans to an 11-6 victory over the visiting Dupage Dragons on Wednesday night at Danville Stadium.

The turning point was the bottom of the fifth. Trailing 6-4 entering the frame, the Dans got it rolling in the fifth frame with a one-out walk to Chris Lewellyn. An RBI double from Nola cut the deficit to 6-5, and after Nate Johnson reached on an error and Dabo Worthington walked, Jason Nappi chopped a single into left field to plate the tying and go-ahead runs. Austin Green later singled to right to drive home Worthington and complete the Dans’ four-run onslaught.

Danville trailed early, as Dupage got to Danville starter Justin Amlung quickly, scoring once in the first inning on Dave Reynolds’ RBI groundout. There were two outs with no one on in the third frame when the Dragons started another rally. Catcher Adam Davis walked on a full-count pitch that just missed the strike zone, and Reynolds followed with a sharp single to right. Grant Fillipitch then ripped a double down the left-field line to plate a pair and extend the lead to 3-0.

But Nola erased that deficit with one swing of the bat in the bottom half of the third. After Cody Yount got the Dans’ first hit with a single to left and Lewellyn walked, the shortstop from LSU drove the first pitch he saw just over the left-field fence to tie up the contest.

Dupage came right back with a big inning, this time a three-run fourth. Bryan Roberts led off and was hit by a pitch, and Andrew Brauer reached with one out when his grounder slipped past Worthington, the first baseman, for an error. A passed ball and hits from Sean Flanagan and Brian Martin put the Dragons up 6-3.

It could have been worse for Danville, as Martin initially scored on Adam Davis’ fly ball to center field to give Dupage a four-run lead. But the Dans appealed the tag-up, and Martin was called out for leaving the third base too early, keeping the score at 6-3.

Before its big fifth inning, Danville chipped away at the lead with a run in the fourth, when Worthington walked to lead off the frame and advanced to second on a Nappi single. From there, Worthington stole third and scored when the catcher Davis’ throw sailed into left field.

Nola’s RBI triple in the sixth inning left him only needing a single for the cycle and extended the Dans lead to 9-6. Danville later added a couple insurance runs in the seventh on a Richie Goodenow RBI single and a Ryan Van Amburg RBI groundout.

There was plenty of excitement left, though, with Nola leading off the eighth inning and needing just a single for the cycle. He achieved just that on a two-strike pitch, flicking a ball into shallow center field that fell between two Dupage fielders.

The unsung hero for Danville was its bullpen, as three relievers combined for five perfect innings. The Dragons chased Amlung after four innings, rocking the righty for six runs on six hits and a walk. But Kyle Donawerth picked up his third win of the season by throwing three perfect innings. Brett Huber and Greg Houston followed with perfect innings of their own, as the last 16 Dragons batters to come to the plate were set down in order.

Nola finished 4-for-5 with five RBIs and two runs. Nappi was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run.

Taylor Dennis took the loss for Dupage, allowing six runs in 4 1/3 innings. Martin led the Dragons offense with two hits and a run, and Fillipitch had two RBIs.

With the win, Danville improves to 29-21. The Dans have three scheduled games left and also will likely play a make-up game this Sunday at home.

Dans outlast Quincy for sweep

2009-08-01T23:23:00.001-05:00

It took awhile, but the Danville Dans swept a doubleheader against the Quincy Gems on Saturday night at Danville Stadium. The Dans took the first of two scheduled seven-inning games 5-2 before outlasting the Gems 4-3 in 11 innings in the nightcap.

In the second game, Danville’s Mikie Mahtook came through with a clutch home run in the bottom of the seventh to tie the contest at three. The game stayed tied through the 10th inning, thanks to solid relief pitching from reliever on both squads. But the Dans finally ended it in the 11th, when Austin Green led off with a double and scored on Austin Nola’s single to deep right center.

The game had been scoreless through three innings, as Quincy starting pitcher Jimmy Foster and Danville hurler Jacob Lee each stayed out of trouble and induced double plays. Quincy broke the ice in the fourth, when Jacob White doubled to lead off the frame. He then advanced to third base on a groundout and scored on a Brian Farris sacrifice fly that put the Gems up 1-0.

The Dans came back quickly, though, with a run of their own in the bottom half. Nappi led off with a single, advanced to second on a balk and scored on a single to left by Austin Green. Danville had a great chance to add more, but runners were stranded on the corners when Austin Nola struck out and Lewellyn flied out to end the inning.

A big play by Green in right field kept the game tied in the top of the sixth. After a walk, a single and a sac bunt put Gems runners on second and third with one out, Farris lifted a fly ball to right field. Green circled the ball, made the catch and fired a rocket right on target to home plate, where Johnson tagged out Quincy’s White on a very close play.

In the bottom of the inning, Green came through on the offensive side, singling and later scoring from second base when Quincy third baseman John Lorenz let a routine grounder slip past him for an error and a 2-1 Danville advantage.

That lead was short lived, however, as the Gems came back with two runs in the top of the seventh. Jake Hibberd’s one-out RBI single tied the game at two, and he advanced to second on a groundout. The Gems’ Fayard then lined a ball off Danville reliever Greg Houston that deflected into short left field, enabling Hibberd to score from second for a 3-2 lead.

But with his team’s back against the wall, Mahtook came through for the Dans in a big way, leading off the bottom of the seventh with a towering solo home run over the left-field wall to tie the game and send the crowd into a frenzy.

Josh Tols took the loss in the nightcap, allowing the 11th-inning run. Matt Smith, typically a starter pitcher for the Dans, picked up the win with a scoreless inning of work. Green, Cody Yount and Nola each had two hits for the Danville in the game.

Game one wasn’t as eventful. Danville jumped out to a quick lead when Chris Lewellyn and Mahtook led off with back-to-back singles in the first inning to put runners on the corners. An errant pickoff attempt by Quincy starter Lee Valencheck sailed into foul territory in right field, scoring Lewellyn and sending Mahtook to third. Mahtook then scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.

The Dans widened their lead with a three-run third inning. A Nola single, a Lewellyn walk and a Mahtook single loaded the bases to open up the inning. Catcher Nate Johnson then hit a chopper through the right side of the infield for a two-run single, and two batters later Jason Nappi lined a single to right to plate another run and give Danville a 5-0 lead.

Danville starter Aaron Lambrix took over from there. The right-hander was on top of his game, going the distance to pick up his sixth win of the season. In seven innings of work, Lambrix allowed two runs on six hits while striking out six. The only trouble Lambrix ran into was in the seventh, when Quincy strung together four hits and scored runs on a Richie Derbak RBI single and a Hibberd sacrifice fly.

Valencheck took the loss for the Gems in game one. He threw a complete game and allowed five runs on eight hits while striking out three. Myers led the Quincy offense with two hits and a run. Mahtook and Nappi each had two hits for Danville.

Danville is now 27-21 on the season.

MC PACK THE PLACE RETURNS!

2009-07-31T15:24:00.002-05:00

Just a reminder that tomorrow night, Sat., Aug. 1 is McPack the Night. Tickets are still available at your local McDonalds. McDonalds tickets from the July 11 rainout will also be accepted that evening.

This game is an unusual 5:30 PM Double Header against Quincy.

CHIEF ILLINIWEK NIGHT AT THE STADIUM

2009-07-31T15:10:00.003-05:00

Logan Ponce, the reigning Chief Illiniwek will appear at Danville Stadium on August 7th. The Dans play Dubois at 6:30 PM in their last regular season home game of 2009.

Tickets for the game may be obtained from Bud's Car Cellular and Home Theatre and from Thrivent Financial of Champaign Urbana.

Watch this site for further details.

Dans defeat Dragons with late rally

2009-07-30T21:07:00.000-05:00

Three runs in the late innings propelled the Danville Dans to a 3-2 win over the visiting Dupage Dragons at Danville Stadium on Thursday evening.

Danville shortstop Austin Nola led off the eighth inning of the 2-2 game with what might be described as a rarely seen bloop triple. Nola was jammed on a ball that fell along the line in shallow right field and between three sprinting, diving Dupage fielders, who couldn’t retrieve it in time to prevent Nola from getting the key three-bagger. The next batter, Chris Lewellyn, lined an RBI single into center field to plate Nola with the deciding run.

It wasn’t looking good for Danville early, though. The Dragons opened the scoring with a run in the third. Brian Martin led off with a single and stole second on a confusing play, as he jogged slowly to second on an 0-2 pitch with the Danville infielders initially standing frozen. Dupage made Danville pay two batters later when Adam Davis knocked an RBI single into center for the early lead.

Dupage tallied another run an inning later. Danville seemed to be in good shape when the Dragons’ Sean Flanagan struck out with two outs, but he advanced to first when the ball got past Danville catcher Jason Hamm. Dupage's Andrew Brauer followed with an RBI triple down the right-field line that fell just out of the reach of a diving Austin Green.

Dragons starter Steve Sabatino cruised through the first six innings. After allowing a one-out Byron Williams single in the first and walking Jason Nappi, the lefty retired 16 of the next 17 Dans. Defying conventional pitching wisdom, Sabatino got nine of those 18 outs via fly balls. But his penchant for the flyout caught up to him in the seventh inning, when Dabo Worthington followed a Nappi leadoff single with a towering two-run home run far over the fence in left field to tie the game.

Despite his early brilliance, Sabatino took the loss, throwing seven innings and exiting after giving up hits to Nola and Lewellyn in the eighth. He allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four.

Danville reliever Kyle Donawerth grabbed the win with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Greg Houston picked up the save with a 1-2-3 ninth and was aided by a great play from first baseman Worthington, who reached into the Dupage dugout on a foul pop-up and secured the second out of the final frame. Starter Donavan Drake turned in a quality start for the Dans, allowing two runs in 6 2/3 innings while striking out five.

Williams led Danville with two hits, and Worthington was 1-for-3 with the home run, two RBIs and a walk. Martin and shortstop Barrett Serrato each went 2-for-4 for the Dragons.

Danville improves to 25-20 with the win. The Dans play at division-leading Quincy on Friday evening before returning home to again face Quincy in a doubleheader Saturday. First pitch for the opener Saturday is 5:30 p.m.

AT BAT FOR A CURE TONIGHT

2009-07-30T07:44:00.003-05:00

Reminder - tonight (Thursday, July 30) is At Bat for A Cure! A portion of the gate proceeds will go to support area breast cancer programs. See you there!

Pro Ball Update

2009-07-29T13:42:00.004-05:00

Looking for your favorite Dan? Here are a few currently playing in pro ball. Players below are listed by name, year with the Dans, current club, level & affiliate.

1 Kaczrowski, Dan 2008 Yakima Bears A-Short Season Dbacks
2 Flanagan, John 2008 Burlington Royals Rookie Kansas City
3 Bowen, Ricky 2007 Billings Mustangs Rookie Cincinnati Reds
4 Roling, Kiel 2007 Asheville Tourists A Rockies
5 Schimpf, Ryan 2007 Dunedin, FL Rookie Toronto Blue Jays
6 Powell, Jordan 2005-06-07 Lancaster JetHawks A-Advanced Houston Astros
7 McGuiness, Chris Lowell Spinners Rookie Boston Red Sox
8 Black, Dan 2007 Kannapolis Intimidators A White Sox
9 Coleman, Louis 2006 Burlington Bees A Kansas City
10 Weatherford, Aaron 2006 Tri-City Dust Devils A-Short Season Rockies
11 Button, Evan 2006 Yakima Bears A-Short Season Dbacks
12 Duron, Denny 2006 Spokane Indians A-Short Season Texas Rangers
13 Roark, Tanner 2006 Bakersfield Blaze A-Advanced Texas Rangers
14 Alvino, Billy 2006 Lakeland Flying Tigers A-Advanced Detroit Tigers
15 Stowell, Bryce 2006 Kinston Indians A-Advanced Cleveland Indians
16 Pecina, Ricardo 2006 Hagerstwon Suns A Baltimore O's
17 Born, David 2006 Casper Ghosts Rookie Nationals
18 Cryer, Justin 2005 Auburn Doubledays A-Short Season Toronto Blue Jays
19 Moreland, Mitch 2005 Frisco Rough Riders AA Texas Rangers
20 Napoleon, Dusty 2005 Kane County Cougers A Oakland A's
21 Roemer, Wes 2005 Mobile Bay Bears AA San Diego
22 Snyder, Justin 2005 Trenton Thunder AA NY Yankees
23 Worth, Danny 2005 Erie Sea Wolves AA Detroit Tigers
24 Flagg, Jeff 2005 Kingsport Mets Rookie NY Mets
25 Schenk, Neil 2005 Bowling Green Hot Rods A Tampa Bay Rays
26 Coghlan, Chris 2004 Florida Marlins MLB Florida Marlins
27 Hammond, Steve 2004 Fresno Grizzlies AAA Milwaukee Brewers
28 Abruzzo, Jordan 2004 Savannah Sand Gnats A NY Mets
29 Feiner, Korey 2003 Carolina Mudcats AAA Seattle Mariners
30 Pope, Van 2003 Gwinnett Braves AAA Atlanta Braves
31 Daley, Matt 2003 Colorado Rockies MLB Colorado Rockies
32 Holt, J.C. Gwinnett Braves AAA Atlanta Braves
33 Stults, Eric 2001 LA Dodgers MLB (currently AAA rehab assignment)
34 Papelbon, Jon 2001 Boston Red Sox MLB Boston Red Sox
35 Tolbert, Matt 2001 Minnesota Twins MLB Minnesota Twins
36 Ruiz, Randy 1999 Las Vegas 51s AAA Toronto Blue Jays
(MLB with Twins 2008)
37 Anderson, Jason Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs AAA Philadelphia Phillies
(MLB 1st with Yankees)

Rain Alters Dans Schedule

2009-07-29T13:35:00.004-05:00

Sadly, last nights 2 buck Tuesday game against the Quincy Gems was rained out right at game time.

Happily, it will become part of a McDonalds McPack the Place double header this coming Saturday, Aug. 1. Game time has been changed to 5:30 PM......an old fashioned twi-night double header for Dans fans!

BOWEN INKS WITH REDS

2009-07-28T14:17:00.003-05:00

Dans alumni Ricky Bowen (2007 - Miss State) has signed with the Cincinnati Reds organization and will report to their Billings Montana (Pioneer League) team. Bowen was selected by the Reds in the 43rd round of this year's player draft.

Two Buck Tuesday

2009-07-28T14:16:00.001-05:00

The Danville Dans are home tonight for a 6:30 game vs the Quincy Gems on Two Buck Tuesday.

Thursday night the Dans are home again for Provena Foundations At Bat for a Cure Night.

Friday night - McDonalds will "McPack the Place" as the Dans take on Quincy.

Dans Alumni Signs with Blue Jays

2009-07-26T17:08:00.002-05:00

Ryan Schimpf (Dans 2007), LSU outfielder/infielder has signed a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays and will join the club's Rookie League affiliate in Dunedin, FL.

Ryan helped lead the Tigers to the 2009 College World Series Championship hitting .336 on the year with 19 doubles, 1 triple, 22 home runs, 73 runs and 70 RBI's.

At Bat for a Cure

2009-07-25T15:43:00.003-05:00

Thursday, June 30th, is Provena Foundation and Danville Stadium "At Bat for a Cure" Breastcancer Night. One half of the night's gate will go to support local breast cancer programs.

The Dans will also be selling pink hellium balloons for $2 each. Names will be written on the balloons in memory of, or in recognition, of a breast cancer patient. The Dans will carry the balloons to the field for the National Anthem before they are released.

In addition, the Dans will use pink bats through their 1st at bat. Those bats will be signed by the Dans and become part of a silent auction. 2010 season tickets and souvenir baseballs will also be part of the auction.

GAME ON FOR CELLULAR ONE POSTER NIGHT

2009-07-25T15:40:00.003-05:00

TONIGHT'S GAME AGAINST THE RICHMOND RIVER CATS WILL SEE THE FIRST PITCH AT 6:30 PM. IT IS CELLULAR ONE POSTER NIGHT WITH THE 1ST 1000 PEOPLE RECEIVING A POSTER OF THE 2009 DANVILLE DANS.

IT IS ALSO 1ST ILLINOIS CREDIT NIGHT. THE DANS ALSO WELCOME EMPLOYEES OF AUTOZONE.

Dans fall 8-2 to Cavemen

2009-07-23T21:42:00.002-05:00

The Hannibal Cavemen used eight unanswered runs to top the Danville Dans 8-2 on Thursday evening at Danville Stadium.

Danville didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard. Byron Williams walked with one out in the bottom of the first, and Nate Johnson followed with a home run to right field for a 2-0 lead.

But it was all Cavemen from there, as they came back in third inning. Curtis Ford walked to open the inning, and Colin Hofmann reached safely when Danville starter Matt Smith’s underhand toss to first on Hofmann’s bunt sailed high. Ashley Graeter followed with a single that hit the third-base bag and popped into left field, scoring Ford. Hofmann later scored on a Grant Dozar sacrifice fly to tie the game at two.

The Cavemen broke the tie in the fourth with three runs with the help of some more shaky Dans defense. Tommy Diibon was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and Brett Frantini followed with a single. Garrison McLagen then rolled a grounder to second base that got over the glove of the Dans’ Frank Rawdow, scoring Diibon and sending Frantini to third. Ford singled home Frantini, and McLagen crossed the plate two batters later on a Graeter RBI double to make to 5-2.

The Danville offense was held in check by Graeter, who earned the win for Hannibal and allowed two runs in seven innings while striking out six. The Dans two on with one out in the sixth, but Graeter struck out Richie Goodenow and Austin Green to get out of the jam.

Hannibal added two runs in the seventh on four hits, the damage coming on a Frantini RBI single and a Ford RBI double. Danville again had a chance to rally in the bottom half, putting two runners in scoring position with one out. But Graeter thwarted the rally by retiring Rawdow and Williams on pop-ups in the infield to preserve the 7-2 lead.

The Cavemen scored once more in the ninth on Ford’s RBI double. The second baseman finished 3-for-3 on the night with two RBIs and a run scored, and he reached base in every at-bat, also drawing a walk and getting hit by a pitch. Graeter had three hits and a pair of RBIs, while Frantini was 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs.

Johnson led the Danville offense, going 2-for-4 with the homer and two RBIs. Smith took the loss for the Dans. The righty allowed five runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings.

With the loss, Danville falls to 21-19 and sits four games behind division leader Quincy.

Dans take two from Hannibal

2009-07-22T23:19:00.000-05:00

Danville swept Hannibal in a pair of seven-inning games in a doubleheader Wednesday evening at Danville Stadium. Danville won both games by the score of 3-2.

The Dans won the nightcap in dramatic fashion, scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Austin Nola got the rally started with a lead-off single and advanced to third with two outs. Dabo Worthington then lined a clutch single into left with to tie the contest, and two batters later pinch hitter Richie Goodenow singled to center for the win.

Game two was a pitcher’s duel in the early going. The game remained scoreless into the sixth inning, as Hannibal pitcher Jon Gulbransen and Danville hurler Codie Rollins were terrific. Gulbransen allowed just one hit in his first four innings of work and retired eight in a row at one point. The only Danville runner get into scoring position in the first four innings was Ryan Van Amburg, who singled to right with two outs in the second and advanced to third when Cavemen right fielder mishandled the ball. But Gulbransen retired Jason Hamm on a strikeout to keep zeroes on the board.

Rollins matched Gulbransen, throwing four scoreless innings and running into his only real trouble in the fourth inning, when he got in a bases-loaded, one-out jam. But Rollins got out of the inning unscathed when he caught Bryce Tafelski looking for strike three and retired Tommy Diibon on a groundout.

Gulbransen got out of a jam of his own in the fifth. With runners at first and second and one out, he induced a foul pop-up off the bat of Austin Nola. Danville’s Lewellyn then got on via an infield single up the middle, but Van Amburg, running from second on the play, was gunned down at the plate trying to steal a run.

Hannibal got in the board in the sixth inning. After two singles and a walk loaded the base with no outs, Bryce Tafelski grounded a ball to short, where Danville’s Nola muffed it for an error, allowing the first run to score. Tommy Diibon followed with a pop-up to right center that deflected off the glove of Mahtook, the Danville center fielder. He threw to second for a force-out, but another run scored to give Hannibal a 2-0 lead.

Danville got a run back in their half of the sixth on an Austin Green RBI single and had a chance to go ahead with the bases loaded and two outs later in the inning. But Johnson’s liner to right was grabbed by a sliding Burton in right field to end the inning and preserve the Hannibal lead for just an inning, until Danville won it with late heroics.

Gulbransen allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision. He struck out seven, allowed four hits and walked three. James Hudelson took the loss for Hannibal, allowing two runs in 1 1/3 innings. Ryan Cabral got the win for Danville, throwing 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

In game one, Hannibal opened the scoring with a run in the top of the second without a hit. Kyle Gaedele walked to lead off the inning and quickly stole second. After advancing to third on a groundout, he scored on Matt Burton’s RBI groundout to first to give the Cavemen a 1-0 lead.

That advantage didn’t last long, though, as the Dans scored a run of their own in the bottom half. Three walks sandwiched around a pair of outs loaded the bases, and Danville’s Byron Williams came through with a single to center to tie it at one apiece.

Danville tallied another run in the third inning, when Mikie Mahtook led off with a double to left-center field and scored on a Nate Johnson single to right. The Dans missed an excellent chance to extend the lead in the fourth, as they loaded with no outs. But Hannibal starter Karl Whitley dug deep to get out of the jam, retiring Williams on a foul pop-up, Frank Rawdow on a fielder’s choice and Mahtook on a pop-up to second base to get out of the inning unharmed.

The Cavemen tied it in the fifth inning. A walk, a hit by pitch and wild pitch put runners on the corners, and with one out Ashley Graeter singled in Brett Frantini. But Hannibal also squandered any further scoring chances on the play, as Frantini got caught in a rundown between first and second while trying to advance on the throw in. The Danville fielders soon abandoned that rundown to get Curtis Ford, who was running from first on the play. Ford reached third and tried for home before getting tagged out in a rundown for the rarely seen 9-6-3-4-5-2-1 putout.

Danville scored the deciding run in the last of the sixth. Chris Lewellyn led off and reached when his bunt was bobbled by Cavemen first baseman Grant Dozar for an error. Two out later, Lewellyn stole second, and he scored when Johnson, who finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, lined a single to left.

Danville starter Jacob Lee held Hannibal pitched effectively, giving up two runs in 4 2/3 innings on just one hit while walking three. Greg Houston threw 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to get the victory, and Brett Huber picked up the save with a scoreless seventh. Whitley allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings and got a no-decision. Hannibal reliever Justin Lucas took the loss, allowing a run in 1 1/3 innings.

With the sweep, Danville is now 21-18. The Dans and Cavemen play again Thursday in Danville.

Dans top Dragons with two late runs

2009-07-21T21:20:00.001-05:00

The Danville Dans rode strong pitching and two eighth-inning runs to a 3-1 victory over the Dupage Dragons on Tuesday evening at Danville Stadium.

Danville opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. Back-to-back one-out singles by Mikie Mahtook and Jason Nappi put runners and first and second. After Mahtook advanced to third on a flyout, Nate Johnson followed with a single to left that gave the Dans a 1-0 lead.

The score would stay that way into the fifth, as Danville starter Justin Amlung and Dupage starter Tom Zelasko were on top of their games. Zelasko allowed just one run in seven innings of work while striking out five. Amlung retired the first seven Dragon batters of the contest, and threw 5 2/3 innings while allowing one unearned run on three hits..

The only time the Dupage got to Amlung was in the top of the fifth. After Barrett Serrato walked to lead off the frame, Matthew Mirabal laid down a sac bunt in front of home plate. Amlung got to the ball in time to make a play, but his throw sailed up the line and Dans first baseman Dabo Worthington couldn’t make the grab with Mirabal arriving at the bag. The runners advanced to second and third on the play, and Serrato eventually scored when Johnson, the Danville catcher, made a throwing error trying to pick off Brian Martin from first.

A great “strike ‘em out, throw ’em out” double play prevented Dupage from scoring any more in the inning and taking the lead. With Martin still on first and Mirabal on third, the count ran full on batter Dan Scahill. With Martin running, Scahill went down swinging, and Johnson fired to second. But Danville second baseman Austin Nola cut the throw off and fired a bullet back to home plate to nail Mirabal, who tried to steal home on the throw, by just an eyelash.

The game remained tied until the Dans half of the eighth, when Worthington led off with a double to left center. He advanced to third on Johnson’s bloop single to left and then scored on Scott Schauer’s sacrifice fly to deep center. Walks to Nola and Byron Williams later in the inning loaded the bases, and the Dans got an insurance run when Ryan Van Amburg scored on a wild pitch to give the game its final margin.

Ryan Cabral picked up the win for Danville. He struck out four in two scoreless innings of work and got the final out when Worthington made a nice running, over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory to end the game with the tying run at the plate.

Taylor Dennis took the loss for Dupage, as he allowed the two runs in the eighth inning. The Dragons were led offensively by Martin, who went 2-for-3 with a walk.

Danville outhit Dupage 10-4 in the game. Johnson, Nappi, Mahtook and Frank Rawdow each had two hits for the Dans. Richie Goodenow was strong in a middle relief role, tossing 1 1/3 innings of scoreless ball and striking out three.

With the win, Danville improves to 19-18. The Dans host Hannibal in a doubleheader Wednesday.

Late rally propels Danville past Springfield

2009-07-18T22:05:00.001-05:00

The Danville Dans used a furious late-inning rally to come from behind and defeat the Springfield Sliders 8-7 on Saturday evening at Danville Stadium.

The Dans, who trailed 7-1 entering the bottom of the sixth, scored in each of the last four innings, capping their win with a lone run in the bottom of the ninth on Austin Green’s one-out single to right that scored Austin Nola, who led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.

Danville tied the game in a wild eighth inning that featured three runs, two errors, an ejection and a double play. The inning got started when Chris Lewellyn walked, and Richie Goodenow followed with a routine grounder that got past Sliders first baseman Dennis Vaughn. After a sac fly made the score 7-5, Nate Johnson singled and Dabo Worthington doubled, cutting the deficit to 7-6 and putting runners at second and third.

A walk to Ryan Van Amburg loaded the bases, and it appeared Danville tied it when a 3-1 pitch to Jason Hamm was high and initially not signaled a strike by the home plate umpire. But after the ump raised his hand belatedly to call a strike – prompting Danville manager Pete Paciorek to argue and get ejected – Hamm hit a slow roller to up the middle that was booted by Sliders shortstop Trevor Adams to tie the game at seven. Cody Yount then grounded into a double play to end the inning and set up the last-inning heroics.

Mark Lamm picked up the win for Danville by throwing a scoreless ninth inning. Swank took the loss, throwing 1 1/3 innings and allowing four runs, two of which were earned. Danville starter Matt Smith struggled, going just three innings and allowing five runs on six hits. Springfield controlled the game early behind starter Phil Schreiber, who allowed two runs in six innings.

The Sliders took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI single by Adams. The Dans responded quickly, tying the contest at one in the bottom half when Nola drew a bases-loaded walk after a lengthy at-bat.

But Springfield scored the next six runs with a trio of two-run innings. In the third, Sean Finucane led off with a single and scored on Josh Parr’s RBI double. Parr then came around on a Ryan Mooney single for to give the Sliders a 3-1 lead.

Adams ignited Springfield in the next two innings. In the fourth, he tripled into the right-field corner to plate Scott Thornburg, and two batters later another Finucane single made it 5-1. One frame later, Adams again hit an RBI triple and scored to give Springfield a 7-1 lead.

Danville slowly chipped away at the lead, though. After one-out singles by Van Amburg and Hamm in the sixth inning, a Yount RBI groundout cut the deficit to 7-2. Yount again came through in the seventh, when he drove a two-out, two-run single into left field to make it a 7-4 ballgame.

Until late, the Dans couldn’t fully capitalize on all their chances. In addition to leaving two runners stranded to end the seventh inning, Danville left the bases loaded in the second, fifth and sixth innings. A big reason was the play of TJ Blanton in center field for the Sliders. He ran down a rocket off the bat of Nate Johnson to end the bottom of the fifth, and an inning later he one-upped himself with a sliding catch on Richie Goodenow’s sinking liner.

Adams went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs for Springfield, and Parr was 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Nate Johnson led the Danville offense, going 3-for-5 with three runs and an RBI. Yount had three RBIs.

With the win, Danville improves to 17-17 on the year.

GAO GROTTO RESCHEDULES GAME NIGHT

2009-07-13T10:41:00.002-05:00

Gao Grotto Night at the Dans has been rescheduled to July 22nd. That night will be a double hearder against Hannibal beginning at 6:00 PM.