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Robert Morris University and Springfield to Host 2012 & 2014 USCAA Baseball Small College World Series!

"The United States Collegiate Athletic Association is extremely proud and excited to bring the 2012 and 2014 USCAA Baseball Small College World Series to Springfield, Illinois. The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau in partnership with the Capital Area Sports Commission have taken a great deal of care and attention in providing the USCAA with an outstanding bid. With great partners like the Bureau, as well as our host institution Robert Morris University in Springfield, we are confident our student athletes will receive a first class experience," stated Associate Director & Chief Operating Officer of the USCAA Matthew Simms.               

The United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) is a national organization that exists to provide quality athletic competition on a regional and national level. The USCAA focuses specifically on smaller institutions of higher learning and their student-athletes. The association believes that all athletes and programs deserve the same national opportunities as larger institutions.               

"As Co-Director for the 2012 Baseball Small College World Series, we are extremely happy and excited of the announcement from the USCAA that RMU has been awarded the 2012 and 2014 Baseball Small College World Series," commented RMU Associate Director of Athletics Chris Ryan. "We look forward to hosting and providing a positive experience for all of our student athletes participating and spectators alike. With Tom Roth leading the campaign, I feel very confident that we will provide a first-class experience."               

In 2012, teams will arrive on Saturday for practice times on the field during the weekend along with the All- American Banquet and Home Run Derby. Series games will take place Monday through Thursday, with Friday available as a rain date. Co-Director Tom Roth stated, "I want to personally thank the USCAA for awarding this tournament to Robert Morris University and the city of Springfield. This bid process would not have been possible without the hard work, leadership, and guidance of RMU Associate Director of Athletics Chris Ryan, Gina Gemberling of The Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mark Frech of the Capital Area Sports Commission and countless other contributors."

For more information visit, http://www.theuscaa.com/ or contact Chris Ryan, Robert Morris University Associate Director of Athletics.

"Partnering with local organizations, companies and schools, such as Robert Morris University, to attract events and conventions to Springfield, such as the USCAA Baseball Small College World Series, is very important to the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) and provides vital economic impact to Springfield," said Gina Gemberling, Director of Sales for the SCVB.

The Celebrity Citizen program awards community members who help attract events to Springfield. "The goal is to acknowledge those community members who help bring their school's division tournaments to Springfield, or their Association's national convention, or their military reunion or car club event. When a local resident or business expresses is interest in hosting, frequently the organization is much more likely to select Springfield."

For more information on the Celebrity Citizen program, visit http://www.celebritycitizen.com/.

RMU eliminates Selma in five!

OLD ORCHARD BEACHE, ME - Chris Sekardi (freshman; Chatham, IL) went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI and Corban Govaia (junior; Litchfield, IL) went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs as Robert Morris-Springfield eliminated Selma University 12-1 on Monday afternoon at the 2011 USCAA National Championships - Small College World Series.

The Eagles scored a pair of runs in the first inning on a two-run home run from Pete Dayton (sophomore; Paris, IL).  After giving up a run in the second, Robert Morris put up a five-spot in the fourth and fifth innings to end the game via the 10-run rule.

Joshua Ramirez (freshman; Palmdale, CA) earned the win for Robert Morris-Springfield with a three-hit, three strikeout performance.  The Eagles will face Penn State-Greater Allegheny no later than 1:30 pm on Tuesday.  The game may move up on Tuesday depending on the weather forecast.

Eagles split in USCAA Small College World Series!

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, ME - #7 Robert Morris University scored seven runs in the sixth inning and blanked #10 Central Maine Community College 10-0 Saturday in the Eagles' first game at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association national tournament.

In the second game, #2 Briarcliffe (N.Y.) pushed across a run in the ninth to edge the Eagles 2-1.

In the opener, Niko Boeker (sophomore; Springfield, IL) picked up the win, throwing a six-inning complete game and allowing three hits. Boeker struck out three and walked one.

Tyler Novy (sophomore; Springfield, IL) had two doubles and scored twice, and Corban Govaia (junior; Litchfield, IL) went 2 for 3 and scored twice.

In the second game, Briarcliffe's Christopher Ahearn hit a one-out double in the ninth, went to third on an infield single and scored when Christopher McCabe singled to right field.

Robert Morris scored in the second when Jason Del Toro (junior; Rosamond, CA) singled home Govaia. Briarcliffe tied the game in the fourth when it scored on a bases-loaded passed ball.

The Eagles play again Monday against #6 Selma University.

Dayton of RMU Springfield Wins 2011 Small College World Series HR Derby!

May 13, 2011

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, ME - The United States Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball National Championships (Small College World Series) is officially underway.  Following Friday's festivities which included the Championship banquet and parade of teams, the 2011 Home Run Derby took place at "The Ballpark" on Friday evening.

Pete Dayton (sophomore; Paris, IL) is this year's 2011 USCAA Small College World Series Home Run Derby Champion.  Following the first round of 10, featuring one power slugger from each team in the tournament, the field was narrowed.  Advancing to the final three was Pete Dayton of Robert Morris Springfield, Andrew Snider of Southern Virginia University, and Tashland Robinson of Selma University.  The BBCOR bats and depth of The Ballpark proved tough for competitors.  Leading off in the finals, Dayton blasted two shots which went unmatched by the other competitors, leading to the Derby Championship.

USCAA Small College World Series Field Set!

NEWPORT NEWS, VA - The 2011 USCAA Baseball National Championship (Small College World Series) field has officially been set. Defending national champion, Briarcliffe College, comes in as the number two seed. The top seed in this years' tournament belongs to the Southern Virginia Knights, which has held the top seed since the second week of the season. Southern Virginia and Briarcliffe will be joined by The Apprentice School, Spalding University, PSU - Greater Allegheny, Selma University, RMU - Springfield, Rochester College, and host institutions Southern Maine Community College and Central Maine Community College. 

This years' tournament (the first annual Small College World Series) returns to The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. The tournament will open on Friday, May 13th, with the All-American banquet, parade of teams, home run derby, and fireworks. The first round of action will take place the following day and run through the Championship round on Wednesday, May 18th. Continue to check out www.theuscaa.com website for updated results and highlights from the week of baseball action.

The tournament seeds are listed below:

1.   Southern Virginia University

2.   Briarcliffe College

3.   The Apprentice School

4.   Spalding University

5.   PSU - Greater Allegheny

6.   Selma University

7.   RMU - Springfield

8.   Rochester College

9.   Southern Maine CC

10. Central Maine CC

RMU tops Millikin in suspended baseball game!

DECATUR, IL - Robert Morris University, finishing a game that was suspended last month, defeated Millikin University 13-1 Tuesday at Sunnyside Park.

The game was the nightcap of a doubleheader, and was stopped in the third inning on March 8. RMU scored five times in the second and third innings to lead 10-1 after three innings.

RMU's Chris Sekardi (freshman; Chatham, IL: pictured at right) drove in four runs and Dustin Morris (junior; Litchfield, IL) had three hits and three RBIs.

Leadoff hitter Eddie Roberts (freshman; Bakersfield, CA) went 4-for-5, scored twice and drove in a run.

Winning pitcher Josh Ramirez (freshman; Palmdale, CA) went the distance and allowed six hits and one earned run. He struck out one and yielded no walks in improving to 3-4.

RMU's game scheduled for today at Knox College already has been postponed.

Eagles sweep Lincoln Christian!

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Coach Mark Rabideau and his Robert Morris Eagles continued their hot streak with identical 10-0 victories over visiting Lincoln Christian University on Wednesday, March 30 at Southeast Ball Diamond.  The double-header sweep improved their winning streak to nine straight (13-6).

RMU will host cross-town opponent NCAA DII University of Illinois-Springfield on Thursday, March 31 at Chamberlain Park.  This will be a 9-inning contest with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 PM.

USCAA PLAYER'S OF THE WEEK!

USCAA WEEKLY UPDATE
NEWPORT NEWS, VA
Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Baseball

Co-Player's of the Week
Matt Hendrixson is the Baseball Co-Player of the Week. Matt is a Freshman First baseman from Penn State Brandywine. Matt was 9 for 16 (.563 batting average), with 3 doubles, 7 RBI's, and 5 runs scored. The highlight of the week was his walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 13th inning to pick up the win over Valley Forge.

Pete Dayton is the Baseball Co-Player of the Week. Pete is a Sophomore Designated Hitter out of Robert Morris University-Springfield. In a 7-0 week for the Eagles, Pete was 13-20 at the plate (.650 batting average), with 9 RBI's, 7 doubles, and 4 runs scored.

Co-Pitcher's of the Week
Jake Wardrip is the Baseball Co-Pitcher of the Week. Jake is a Senior from Spalding University. Jake threw a complete game shutout in an 8-0 victory over Principia. He only allowed three hits while striking out 8.

Dustin Morris is the Baseball Co-Pitcher of the Week. Dustin is a Junior out of Robert Morris University-Springfield. Dustin threw two complete games this past week with a 1.10 ERA. In 19 innings pitched he only allowed 5 runs (3 earned) on 9 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6.

Congratulations to both Pete and Dustin!

RMU scores late for win!

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Robert Morris University plated four runs in the eighth inning to rally past Crowley's Ridge 12-10 Saturday at Chamberlain Park.

In the eighth, Pete Dayton (sophomore; Paris, IL; pictured right) delivered a two-run double to tie the game, and the winning run scored on a hits batsman to give the Eagles their ninth win against six loses.

Dayton led RMU with three hits and three RBI's, and Tyler Novy (sophomore; Springfield, IL) added three hits and three runs.  Nathan Moran (freshman; Decatur, IL) pitched 6 1/3 innings of five-hit, one-run relief to pick up his first win.  Matt Sellers (freshman; Lebanon, IL) collected his second save in two days.

Crowley's Ridge scored nine runs in the first two innings.

In Friday night's double-header, RMU's Jonathan Medina (junior; Bakersfield, CA) threw a complete game and Garrett Moyer (senior; LeRoy, IL) provided the offense as the Eagles swept Crowley's Ridge.

RMU won the first game 6-4 and the second 5-3.

In the first game, Moyer was 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.  Eddie Roberts (freshman; Bakersfield, CA) added two hits for the Eagles.  Medina (2-1) gave up two earned runs on seven hits while striking out eight.

RMU blanks Highlanders!

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Cory Wilson (junior; Taylorville, IL; pictured right) and Niko Boeker (sophomore; Springfield, IL) combined on a three-hitter as Robert Morris University blanked MacMurray 10-0 Tuesday at Chamberlain Park.

Wilson went the first five innings and allowed one hit in recording his first win without a loss. He struck out three and walked three.

Tyler Novy (sophomore; Springfield, IL) and Pete Dayton (sophomore; Paris, IL) each drove in two runs.

Jonathan Laygo (junior; Fresno, CA) had three hits and scored twice as RMU improved to 5-6.

Robert Morris sweeps Blackburn in 2011 season opener!

JACKSONVILLE, IL - Dustin Morris (junior; Litchfield, IL) and Jonathan Medina (junior; Bakersfield, CA: pictured right) each picked up a win for Robert Morris University on Thursday as the Eagles swept a doubleheader from Blackburn College.

Morris pitched a four-hitter with eight strikeouts and no walks to lead RMU to a 4-1 victory in the first game.

Medina threw a complete game in the nightcap, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out eight in a 13-1 victory.

Morris (pictured below) went 3 for 6 while Tyler Novy (sophomore; Springfield, IL) drove in five runs.

Robert Morris baseball signs 10 players!

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Gillespie infielder/pitcher Jordan Allan, Lanphier catcher Gary Alexander, Williamsville outfielder/pitcher Nick Kamrath, Chatham Glenwood outfielder Chris Sekardi and Southeast outfielder Zach Stephens are among seven high school players who have signed a letter of intent to play baseball for the Robert Morris University Eagles.

Decatur St. Teresa pitcher Nathan Moran and Decatur Eisenhower infielder Tory Goodman will also play for the Eagles.

Utility player Jonathan Laygo, left-handed pitcher Jonathan Medina and outfielder Eddie Roberts have transferred to RMU from Porterville (Calif.) Community College.

2010 USCAA Post-Season Awards!

NEWPORT NEWS, VA - The USCAA announced their 2010 Baseball Post-Season awards at the Baseball National Championships the week of May 10-14.  Two Robert Morris University Eagles' were honored for their achievements.

2010 USCAA Academic All-American Team

Miles Morris (senior; LeRoy, IL) - 2010, 2009 & 2008 [pictured below]

Ryan Butcher (junior; Taylorville, IL) - 2010 & 2009

2010 USCAA 1st Team All-American

Ryan Butcher - outfielder [pictured below]

Congratulations to both Miles & Ryan!