On Friday, September 19th, through Sunday, September 21st, the third annual Dinger JUCO Showcase will take place in Marion, IL. This is one of the premier junior college events in the Midwest, hosting 38 teams over the course of three days at various different locations in Southern Illinois. 

ScoutConnect is excited to partner with the Dinger JUCO Showcase to elevate the event and provide in-game coverage of the players and teams participating throughout. 

For more information about ScoutConnect, our platform, and what we do, please click HERE. You can tap into our coverage of the Dinger JUCO Showcase on our Twitter, which you can find HERE. 

Leading up to the event, the ScoutConnect staff will be rolling out preview stories to highlight the teams in attendance. We’ll start with the Friday slate of games today, with the teams playing on Saturday and Sunday having their own stories later this week. 

Continue reading below to learn more about the teams we’ll see in action on Friday in Southern Illinois. 

Bryant & Stratton (WI)

NJCAA Division: II
Conference: Region 4
Head Coach: Alex Tomter
2024 Record: 19-33
Twitter Handle: @BSCBaseballWI

Top Sophomores:
+ Soph OF Bradyn Nelson: 119 AB, .361/.421/.765, 7 2B, 4 3B, 11 HR, 36 RBI, 11 SB
+ Soph MIF/OF Jacob Garth: 54 AB, .370/.485/.519, 8 2B, 6 HR, 28 RBI
+ R-Soph Elijah Niemiec: 25 IP, 30 K
+ Soph RHP Giles Groothousen: 23 IP, 34 K
+ Soph CIF Joshua Diorio

Top Newcomers:
+ Soph RHP Parker Bleck (Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
+ Soph RHP Nick Heisl (Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
+ Soph RHP Parker Meifert (St. Charles CC)

East Central (MO)

NJCAA Division: I
Conference: MCCAC
Head Coach: Luke Miller
2024 Record: 25-24
Twitter Handle: @ECCBSBL

Top Sophomores: 
+ R-Soph OF/RHP Kannon Hibbs: 138 AB, .391/.488/.688, 9 2B, 10 HR, 44 RBI, 19 BB, 19 K, First Team All-Region
+ Soph RHP/1B Jiter Montilla: low-90s FB that plays with hard horizontal, throws four secondaries for strikes, also swings a strong, impactful right-handed barrel
+ Soph RHP Zach Taylor: 58 ⅔ IP, 43 K, 24 BB
+ Soph RHP Ben Peth: injury cut short his freshman year. Wiry, athletic arm, FB plays in the upper-80s, throws three secondaries (CB/SL/CH) for strikes

Top Newcomers: 
+ R-FR RHP Eli Tritinger (Lindenwood): upside frame with wide shoulders, high waist. Hard horizontal action on FB from a low slot, spins SL at 2800+ RPM. 
+ Soph C John Nisbet (Quincy)
+ Soph C/OF Brek Sloan (Missouri Southern)
+ Soph RHP Wyatt Mammen

Elgin CC

NJCAA Division: II
Conference: ISCCC
Head Coach: Bill Angelo
2024 Record: 41-14
Twitter Handle: @ElgCCBaseball1

Top Sophomores:
+ Soph RHP Josh Caccia: 64 IP, 57 K, 15 BB, 1.27 ERA
+ Soph RHP Leth Pearson: 51 ⅓ IP, 33 K, 6 BB, 2.81 ERA
+ Soph RHP Brendan Campbell: 28 IP, 27 K, 13 BB
+ Soph INF Matthew Brunscheen: 82 AB, .280/.450/.317, 2B, HR, 20 RBI, 16 BB, 16 K, 13 SB

Top Newcomers:
+ R-FR RHP Alex Schifer (St. Xavier)
+ Soph RHP Brady Rickert (Heartland CC)
+ R-FR OF Nate Gerritsen (Illinois-Springfield) 
+ Soph RHP Sam Hayes (Triton CC)

Frontier CC

NJCAA Division: I
Conference: GRAC
Head Coach: Matthew McCue
2024 Record: 19-30
Twitter Handle: @BaseballBcats

Top Sophomores:
+ R-Soph INF/OF Gael Salinas: 177 AB, .373/.482/.486, 11 2B, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 27 BB, 27 K
+ Soph C Sean McConachie: 129 AB, .310/.418/.372, 8 2B, 25 RBI, 22 BB, 21 K
+ Soph RHP Bailey Collins: packed with physicality, FB can bump into the low-90s
+ Soph RHP Chase Loesch: highly physical frame, upper-80s FB with cut 
+ Soph RHP Ian-Olivier Beaulieu: mid-to-upper-80s high carry FB
+ Soph RHP Miles Whitesell: starter’s frame and physicality, four pitch mix 
+ Soph INF Cam Napier: 6.6 runner with above-average up-the-middle actions
+ Soph INF Dillon James

Top Newcomers:
+ FR MIF Josh French: one of the top JUCO freshmen our staff has seen this fall
+ FR RHP Ryan Perry: power low-90s fastball with a tight, sharp low-80s slider off it
+ FR OF Jordan Carter

Heartland

NJCAA Division: II
Conference: MWAC
Head Coach: Chris Razo
2024 Record: 47-16
Twitter Handle: @HCC_Hawks

Top Sophomores:
+ Soph MIF Jimmy Anderson: 187 AB, .439/.520/.706, 18 2B, 3B, 10 HR, 63 RBI, 14 SB
+ Soph RHP Dylan Nagle: 68 IP, 61 K, 24 BB, 2.38 ERA
+ Soph C Jake Parpet: 135 AB, .363/.476/.615, 15 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 43 RBI
+ Soph INF Charlie Linderman: 83 AB, .337/.467/.446, 9 2B, 17 RBI
+ Soph RHP Trevor Rehnstrom: 57 IP, 46 K, 17 BB, 6.16 ERA
+ Soph OF Bennett Summers: 89 AB, .348/.436/.416, 6 2B, 23 RBI
+ Soph LHP Tyler Ledvina: 20 ⅓ IP, 18 K, 13 BB, 4.43 ERA
+ Soph RHP Ryan Anderson: 40 IP, 30 K, 9 BB, 4.50 ERA
+ Soph LHP Jacob Gimbel: 25 IP, 31 K, 9 BB, 5.04 ERA
+ Soph OF Cal Darling

Top Newcomers: 
+ Soph1B Jake Troyner (Illinois-Chicago)
+ Soph RHP Jack Olson (Northern Illinois)
+ R-FR Dom Kooistra

John A. Logan 

NJCAA Division: I
Conference: GRAC
Head Coach: Kyle Surprenant
2024 Record: 49-10
Twitter Handle: @LoganVolsBsbl

Top Sophomores:
+ Soph INF/OF Jonah Weathers: 171 AB, .345/.435/.532, 9 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 49 RBI, 21 SB
+ R-Soph OF/1B Bryce Nevils: 170 AB, .371/.425/.618, 9 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 53 RBI, 14 SB
+ R-Soph Nehemiah Goodman: 16 IP, 20 K, 2.25 ERA
+ Soph RHP Cole Noreuil: 33 IP, 40 K, 19 BB, 4.64 ERA
+ Soph RHP Carter McKinney: 40 ⅔ IP, 35 K, 16 BB, 5.09 ERA
+ Soph RHP Brady Davis: 22 IP, 40 K, 18 BB, 5.32 ERA
+ Soph LHP Eli Porter: 28 ⅓ IP, 35 K, 16 BB, 2.54 ERA
+ Soph INF Hayden Bates: 108 AB, .370/.524/.648, 3 2B, 7 HR, 27 RBI
+ Soph OF/1B Kameron Yearsley: physical left-handed hitter that’s shown easy juice this fall
+ Soph C/1B Jude Farley: 48 AB, .354 batting average
+ R-Soph RHP Dylan Mannino: has been up to 97 mph this fall with power SL/CT combo
+ Soph RHP Brayden Schnurbusch: 6-foot-7 frame, pitching in the low-90s this fall

Top Newcomers:
+ Soph RHP/INF Mason Beno (South Alabama)
+ R-Soph RHP Gabe Smith (Missouri State)
+ Soph RHP Logan Bingham (Middle Tennessee State)
+ Soph MIF Justin Lang 
+ R-FR OF Roman Sienza (Butler)
+ R-FR RHP Miller Green (Western Kentucky)
+ FR 1B Davis Collie
+ FR OF Hayden Bernreuter

Kaskaskia CC

NJCAA Division: I
Conference: GRAC
Head Coach: Mitch Koester
2024 Record: 22-27
Twitter Handle: @KC_BlueDevils

Top Sophomores: 
+ R-Soph CIF Wade Pauley: 109 AB, .358/.433/.606, 9 2B, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 9 SB
+ Soph CF Michael O’Brien: 156 AB, .333/.495/.385, 6 2B, 21 RBI, 40 SB
+ Soph LHP Brady Phillips: 38 ⅔ IP, 43 K, 4.42 ERA
+ Soph RHP Jack Hendrix: 28 ⅓ IP, 26 K, 17 BB, 4.13 ERA
+ Soph C Michael Oates: 112 AB, .295/.388/.429, 7 2B, 2 HR, 19 RBI
+ R-Soph INF Chase Lewis: 155 AB, .284/.369/.400, 12 2B, 2 HR, 33 RBI
+ Soph OF Gabe Schlimme: 108 AB, .287/.400/.370, 4 2B, HR, 19 RBI
+ Soph OF Zayn Giles: 59 AB, .288/.403/.356, 2 2B, 12 RBI
+ Soph RHP Dillan Elam: 17 IP, 16 K, 4.76 ERA

Top Newcomers:
+ R-Soph OF/RHP Daniel Shuta (Flo-Dar): power/speed combo, also low-90s on the mound
+ Soph RHP Brendan Ealy (Lindenwood)
+ R-Soph Mason Glennon (East Georgia CC): Hit .330 last spring at East Georgia CC
+ FR RHP Joey Stewart: pitching in the upper-80s, peaking low-90s, this fall
+ FR RHP Oakley Koontz: 6-foot-9 frame, upper-80s FB
+ FR MIF JT Augustyniak
+ FR MIF Jayden Bazile
+ FR INF/RHP Colton Webb
+ FR OF/1B Brady Hatton
+ FR OF/LHP Alexander Melo

Mineral Area 

NJCAA Division: I
Conference: MCCAC
Head Coach: Blake Jones
2024 Record: 42-8
Twitter Handle: @CardinalsMAC

Top Sophomores:
+ R-Soph RHP Aidan Dodson: 42 IP, 3.43 ERA, 48 K, 15 BB
+ Soph RHP Cole Murray: 25 ⅔ IP, 3.16 ERA, 23 K, 5 BB
+ MIF/CF Kelly Robertson Jr.: 156 AB, .417/.487/.673, 18 2B, 6 HR, 47 RBI, 17 SB
+ INF Brad Chaisson Jr.: 168 AB, .375/.476/.548, 13 2B, 4 HR, 50 RBI, 34 BB, 30K, 20 SB

Top Newcomers
+ R-Soph RHP Jett Sutton: 6-foot-4, 200-pounds, low-90s FB, low-80s SL, 3000+ RPM
+ Soph. RHP John Hood (Missouri Western): low-90s FB, low-80s SL
+ Soph. 1B/COF Christian Kiper (Bellarmine)
+ FR 3B Carson Shee: 6-foot, 210-pounds, chance to be a middle-of-the-order bat right away

Southwestern Illinois College

NJCAA Division: I
Conference: GRAC
Head Coach: Dave Garcia
2024 Record: 44-14
Twitter Handle: @BlueStormBSB

Top Sophomores:
+ Soph RHP Nate Phillips: 55 ⅔ IP, 2.91 ERA, 56 K, 15 BB, low-90s FB, consistently in the strike zone
+ Soph RHP Jackson Reeves: 35 IP, 40 K, 20 BB, 4.37 ERA, highly physical frame with low-90s FB and spin feel, should be one of the GRAC’s top arms
+ Soph LHP Lewis Slade: 28 IP, 36 K, upper-80s to low-90s arm with potential S/M splitter, deceptive look
+ Soph RHP Max Bryant: 50 ⅓ IP, 42 K, 18 BB, 3.58 ERA, wiry frame with arm speed, upper-80s FB, + feel to spin (2800+ RPM)
+ Soph LHP Tyler Weber: 13 ⅔ IP, 16 K, 8 BB, 3.29 ERA, 6-foot-5 frame with big sweeping low-80s slider, FB plays in upper-80s/low-90s
+ Soph SS Geo Escandon: 155 AB, .284/.409/.471, 18 2B, 3 HR, 36 RBI, premium defender
+ Soph INF Kolton Wright: 72 AB, .347/.455/.375, 13 K, 8 BB, 2 2B, 11 RBI
+ Soph 1B Colin Ryder: 113 AB, .336/.437/.522, 4 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 33 RBI
+ Soph 1B Jackson Stanek: 135 AB, .289/.444/.541, 8 HR, 43 RBI
+ Soph RHP Gage Luttrell: 12 ⅓ IP, 14 K, 6 BB, 3.65 ERA
+ Soph RHP Andrew Swanda: 22 ⅓ IP, 16 K, 6 BB, 3.63 ERA
+ Soph RHP Colin LeMarr: 15 ⅔ IP, 33 K, 15 BB, high carry low-90s FB with big breaking ball to match
+ Soph RHP Evan Day: taken a jump this fall, pitching in the upper-80s, spins a sharp slider
+ Soph INF Ryan Colucci
+ R-Soph OF Wyatt Bugger

Top Newcomers:
+ R-FR David Barker (Arkansas State): unique look, long lanky levers, ¾ slot. FB plays in the low-90s with heavy sweeping slider
+ R-FR Michael Barker (Arkansas State): long, lanky levers, has been up to 92 mph this fall, spins a tight, downhill breaking ball
+ Soph RHP Garrett Polson (Mineral Area): High carry FB can climb into the low-90s, has flashed power breaking ball at upwards of 3000 RPM. 
+ R-FR OF Quinn Boyer
+ FR RHP Brock Fearday
+ FR OF Filippo Baratta

State Fair CC

NJCAA Division: I
Conference: MCCAC
Head Coach: Jud Kindle
2024 Record: 32-17
Twitter Handle: @StateFairBSBL 

Top Sophomores: 
+ Soph OF Collin Ross: 148 AB, .351/.424/.500, 8 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 35 RBI
+ Soph INF Connor Rice: 112 AB, .304/.367/.429, 3 2B, 3 HR, 21 RBI
+ Soph OF Devin Wassmann: 137 AB, .292/.393/.635, 10 2B, 11 HR, 41 RBI
+ Soph RHP Hunter Jones: 46 ⅓ IP, 61 K, 31 BB, 3.88 ERA
+ Soph RHP Jacob Tellman: 58 IP, 75 K, 24 BB, 3.88 ERA
+ Soph RHP Josh Hagle: 34 ⅓ IP, 44 K, 18 BB, 1.83 ERA

Top Newcomers:
+ FR LHP Jake Riggin
+ FR RHP Jake Kruse
+ FR RHP Brayden Beckmann

St. Charles CC

NJCAA Division: I
Conference: MCCAC
Head Coach: Tony Datoli
2024 Record: 29-33
Twitter Handle: @CougarsSCC

Top Sophomores:
+ Soph RHP Tanner Sullivan: 63 ⅓ IP, 3.86 ERA, 57 K, 25 BB
+ Soph INF Jaiden Glency: 149 AB, .262/.379/.483, 7 HR, 8 2B, 30 RBI
+ Soph LHP Jeter Rupp: 30 ⅔ IP, 2.05 ERA, 27 K, 15 BB
+ Soph RHP Keyton Cook
+ Soph LHP Dalton Hosack
+ Soph RHP Anthony Valenti
+ Soph RHP Cole Harris 
+ Soph RHP Connor Henke
+ Soph OF Holden Strain
+ Soph OF Joey Linneman
+ Soph MIF Nicholas Alagna

Top Newcomers: 
+ FR OF Carlos Carlo
+ FR LHP Alex Alsop
+ FR OF Mathew Mattier
+ FR 3B Ethan Chiodini
+ FR INF Davis Robinson

Vincennes

NJCAA Division: II
Conference: MWAC
Head Coach: Chris Barney
2024 Record: 28-34
Twitter Handle: @VU_BlazerBsbl

Top Sophomores: 
+ Soph RHP Eastin Whaley: 48 ⅔ IP, 4.81 ERA, 39 K, 29 BB
+ Soph OF Jevan Andrews: 182 AB, .302/.416/.412, 14 2B, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 29 SB
+ Soph 3B Carter Gricius: 155 AB, .323/.427/.561, 16 2B, 7 HR, 42 RBI
+ Soph RHP Jacob Allen: 47 ⅔ IP, 40 K, 18 BB, 4.53 ERA

Top Newcomers: 
+ FR INF Tanner Patterson
+ FR INF Lucas Frack
+ FR LHP Kaagen Kendall
+ FR RHP Talen Meyers
+ FR C Ethan Papalios
+ FR C Carson Reed

Volunteer State 

NJCAA Division: I
Conference: TCCAA
Head Coach: Jim McGuire
2024 Record: 32-20
Twitter Handle: @VSCCPioneersBSB

Top Sophomores
+ INF Easton Denning: 180 AB, .344/.420/.561, 22 2B, 5 HR, 61 RBI
+ RHP Drew Morehead: 36 ⅓ IP, 5.94 ERA, 36 K, 7 SV

Top Newcomers
+ Soph INF Tucker Smith (Belmont)
+ R-FR OF Noah Rice (Belmont)
+ R-FR INF Brayden Baker (Murray State)
+ Soph RHP Tyler Zeligman (Alabama-Huntsville)

Wabash Valley 

NJCAA Division: I
Conference: GRAC
Head Coach: Aaron Biddle
2024 Record: 35-23
Twitter Handle: @WVCBaseball

Top Sophomores:
+ Soph INF Enrico Veach (Louisville commit): 167 AB, .341/.446/.425, 12 2B, 35 RBI, 16 SB
+ Soph INF Connor Christenson: 51 AB, .314/.435/.471, 2 2B, 2 HR, 6 SB
+ Soph RHP Trevor Fishman: 44 ⅔ IP, 51 K, 19 BB, 3.43 ERA
+ Soph RHP Bennett Holdener: 48 IP, 47 K, 16 BB, 4.50 ERA
+ Soph LHP Dylan Thompson: 24 ⅔ IP, 19 K, 10 BB, 4.38 ERA
+ Soph RHP/INF Drake DeFreitas: 70 AB, .286/.451/.414, 3 2B, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 3.55 ERA, 12 ⅔ IP, 16 K
+ Soph 1B/OF Argenis Lopez: 79 AB, .278/.356/.405, 4 2B, 2 HR, 17 RBI
+ R-Soph 1B Owen Cornett: 75 AB, .253/.408/.493, 6 2B, 4 HR, 17 RBI
+ R-FR C Hector Roca
+ Soph INF Konner Brown

Top Newcomers:
+ Soph LHP Hayden Alexander (Three Rivers CC)
+ R-FR C JT Stiner (UNC-Wilmington)
+ R-FR INF Brooks Barber (Seward Co CC)
+ R-FR RHP Matt Helms (Northern Kentucky)
+ R-FR LHP Simon Skroch (Minnesota)
+ R-FR RHP Larsen Burch (Northern Essex CC)
+ FR 1B Brady Schallmoser