VIDEO PREVIEW WITH COACH DANNY JACKSON

(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 13)—Strength in numbers. That appears to be the underlying theme for the McKendree University baseball pitching staff heading into the 2019 season.
 
Head coach Danny Jackson welcomes back several hurlers who saw significant action on the mound for the Bearcats in 2018. He and the McKendree coaching staff also recruited a healthy mix of junior college and freshman talent to the squad. Jackson is banking on the combination adding up to a deep and versatile unit as the Bearcats enter the new season.
 
Among the leading contenders for a spot in the McKendree starting rotation are three veterans who saw regular work for the team a year ago. Headlining the list is senior Levi Brening (Coon Rapids, MN/DuQuoin) (pictured at left). He made just three starts last year before missing the final half of the campaign, but registered a 1-1 record with a sterling 1.59 earned-run average. Brening's signature start came in a 5-1 victory at Bellarmine University on March 26 when he allowed just four hits over six innings.
 
Sophomore  Andrew Yancik (Glen Carbon, IL/Edwardsville) (pictured at right) saw action as both a starter and reliever for the Bearcats in 2018. He made 14 appearances with four starts, posting a 2-1 record with one save. Yancik was second on the squad with 23 strikeouts in just 26 1/3 innings of work. The other key returnee of the trio is sophomore Connor Gilles (High Ridge, MO/Rockwood Summit). He led the McKendree staff with 15 appearances in his rookie season, earning one victory.
 
Jackson is looking at a pair of newcomers to begin the season in the McKendree rotation. Junior Jared Timmerman (New Baden, IL/Wesclin)n went 7-2 with 50 strikeouts in 59 innings as a sophomore a year ago at Kaskaskia College. Timmermann was an All-Area selection during his days at Wesclin High School, where he posted 12 victories on the mound over his final three seasons with the Warriors. Also expected to lend a hand for McKendree is freshman Ryan Vogt (Ava, IL/Trico), who was a perfect 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA and 60 strikeouts as a senior at Trico High School.
 
In long relief, Jackson will rely on a mostly veteran look with a handful of newcomers sprinkled into the mix. Top returnees include junior Brian Christianson (Mokena, IL/Lincoln-Way East), who earned one victory in 11 relief appearances in 2018. Senior Kraig Gielow (Arnold, MO/DeSmet Jesuit) along with sophomores Luke Vallandingham and Jacob Reinkemeyer (Wildwood, MO/Eureka) will also help anchor the long relief corps. Vallandingham made four starts among his nine trips to the mound a year ago, while Gielow and Reinkemeyer combined to make 23 appearances out of the bullpen.
 
Among the newcomers expected to contribute in this role are sophomore Ricky Hernandez (Country Club, FL/Mater Lakes Academy) and freshmen Geoff Withers (Cottage Hills, IL/Civic Memorial) and Nick Beeler (Troy, IL/Triad). Hernandez joins the Bearcats' program from Mater Lakes Academy in Florida. Withers notched four wins and 70 strikeouts with a 2.85 earned-run average as a senior at Civic Memorial High School. Beeler – who could also see action at first base for McKendree this season – was 9-3 on the mound with a 1.99 ERA along with 88 strikeouts as a senior at Triad High School.
 
At the back end of the Bearcats' bullpen, Jackson could employ a variety of options in late-inning situations. The leading candidates to close games heading into the new year are senior Drake Hampton (Godfrey, IL/Alton) and junior Adam Bunnell (Salem, IL/Salem). Hampton impressed Jackson during a late-season opportunity on the mound and has continued that progress in the fall and pre-season workouts. Bunnell led the Kaskaskia College program in ERA during his sophomore season after starring at Salem High School.
 
Seniors Logan Zachry (Carlyle, IL/Carlyle) and Ryan Moore (Evansville, IN/Central) will figure into the mix as well. Zachry pitched well in the second half of the 2018 season and posted a win among his 12 relief appearances. Moore started seven games last season for the Bearcats but was also used in five late-inning chances.
 
Newcomers Bryce Emery (Harrisburg, IL/Harrisburg), Logan Boente (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) and Cal Kossina (Millstadt, IL/Belleville West) will also help the Bearcats match up on the mound in late-inning situations. Emery, a junior, comes to McKendree after a solid two seasons at the plate for Southeastern Illinois College. However, he registered four saves as a senior at Harrisburg High School. Boente comes to McKendree from nearby O'Fallon High School, where he went 4-0 with a 2.18 ERA as a senior for the Panthers. Kossina transfers into the Bearcats' program from Southwestern Illinois College, where he posted a 2.25 ERA as a sophomore.