Berdelle, a right-hander from Clarendon Hills, Ill. (Hinsdale Central HS), led the Midwest Conference in strikeouts with 46, was second in innings pitched with 56.1 and ranked fifth in earned run average at 3.51.

He had a 4-1 record in 14 appearances this season while guiding the Pioneers to a four-way tie for first place in the South Division regular-season standings They lost in the first round of a four-team playoff to finish the 2008 campaign with at 16-17 overall record.

Other Grinnell players earning spots on the South Division elite team were third baseman Daniel Clark '08, catcher Jim Malewitz '09, shortstop Ben Mendoza '09, designated hitter Paden Roder '10 and outfielder Chad Takabuki '10.

Clark, who is from Farmington, N.M. (Farmington HS), hit .324 this season with 22 RBIs, five doubles and two homers. He had a .429 slugging and an identical on-base percentage.

Malewitz, from Jackson, Mich. (Jackson HS), was the Pioneers' second-leading hitter with a .375 batting average. He had a slugging percentage of .625 and on-base percentage of .500 while coming up with six doubles, two homers and eight RBIs.

Mendoza, of Albuquerque, N.M. (Eldorado HS), hit .315 with 19 RBIs, five doubles and a homer. He had a .379 slugging percentage and .343 on-base percentage.

Roder, who is from Sutherland, Iowa (South O'Brien HS), hit .364 on the season with team-highs of 28 RBIs and five homers. He also had five doubles, a .623 slugging percentage and .463 on-base average.

Takabuki, of Honolulu, Hawaii (Mid Pacific HS), led the Pioneers in hitting with a .378 batting average and tied for the team lead with five homers. He also had three doubles, a triple, a slugging percentage of .559 and on-base average of .485. He ranked among the league leaders in stolen bases (19) and walks (21).

Grinnell had one second-team selection, second baseman Robbie Unsell '08. Unsell, of East Alton, Ill. (Civic Memorial HS), hit .273 with an on-base percentage of .434. He led the league in walks with 30 and ranked among the MWC leaders in stolen bases with 20.

The South Division Positional Player of the Year was Knox College senior Paul Bennett. Knox's Jami Isaacson was tabbed Coach of the Year.

St. Norbert College swept the North Division awards with Adam Frost (Positional Player of the Year), Trevin Hillesheim (Pitcher of the Year) and Tom Winske (Coach of the Year).
All-MWC Baseball Release

With the win, Monmouth earned a spot in the MWC Tournament. Knox College beat Illinois College for the other South Division spot, and Knox then topped Monmouth to earn the hosting honors for the tourney.

Five Pioneers had two hits on the day - Chad Takabuki ‘10, Robbie Unsell ‘08, Brett Maloney ‘09, Ben Mendoza ‘09 and Jim Malewitz ‘09.

Grinnell grabbed a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Mendoza hit an RBI single to score Takabuki, who had singled, while Paden Roder ‘10 knocked in two runs with a single that scored Daniel Clark ‘08 and Unsell. But Monmouth tied the game with three runs in the second and tacked on two more in the third for a 5-3 lead.

Grinnell tied it at 5-all with two runs in the fourth as Unsell and Maloney both hit RBI singles that scored Greg Suryn ‘11, who reached on a fielder’s choice, and JP Prouty ‘10, who had singled.

But Monmouth went ahead to stay with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Grinnell scored once in the fifth to cut the gap to 7-6 when Roder delivered a sacrifice fly to score Mendoza, who had singled. But the hosts broke things open with four runs in the bottom of the seventh for an 11-6 lead. The Pioneers got their final run in the eighth as Clark hit a sacrifice fly to score Unsell, who had walked.
Box Score

Grinnell College split home games with Monmouth College, winning the opener 13-2 in eight innings and then falling 16-4 in the nightcap. At the same time, Knox College and Illinois College split games, meaning all four South Division teams finish league play with 6-6 records.

That means a four-team playoff is scheduled for Sunday, with Grinnell playing at Monmouth at 11 a.m. and Illinois College playing at Knox at the same time. The winners both earn spots in the MWC postseason tournament and meet at 3 p.m. The winner of the 3 p.m. game will be declared the South Division champion and earning host rights for the MWC event.

Saturday's first game was a cakewalk for the 16-16 Pioneers, whose 16-hit attack was paced by Chad Takabuki '10 (left). Takabuki went 4-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, two RBIs and three runs scored. Daniel Clark '08 had three hits, while Brett Maloney '09, Ben Mendoza '09, Paden Roder '10 and Michael Rosenbaum '08 all had two hits. Roder and Jim Malewitz '09 both had homers to complete the Pioneers' four-homer effort.

Rick Berdelle '09 (right) was masterful on the mound for Grinnell, scattering five hits and striking out 10 in seven innings to improve to 4-1 on the season. Chad Christoff '10 finished off the game.

Monmouth scored its runs in the top of the first on a two-run homer by Ryan Priola. But the Pioneers struck right back, scoring three times in the bottom of the first. Takabuki singled to left and Robbie Unsell '08 was hit by a pitch before Maloney delivered an RBI single to center. Clark later hit an RBI double to left and Roder delivered a sacrifice fly to center.

Grinnell got another three runs in the third. Clark walked and Roder reached on an error before Malewitz belted a three-run homer over the left-field fence. The Pioneers kept it going in the fourth with three more runs. Takabuki led off with a solo homer to left. Maloney later doubled to left, stole third and scored on Clark's RBI single to center. Clark went to second on Mendoza's infield single and scored when Roder singled to right, making it 9-2.

The Pioneers scored yet another run in the fifth on another homer to left by Takabuki. Grinnell ended it in the eighth with three runs. Clark and Mendoza singled to left before Roder blasted a homer to left for the 13-2 win.

Grinnell held leads of 1-0 and 4-3 in the second game before Monmouth charged back. The Pioneers opened the scoring in the first when Unsell walked, moved to second on a balk and scored on a single to center by Clark. Monmouth scored three times in the second before the Pioneers scored another run in the bottom of the frame as Rosenbaum walked, went to second on a single by Mark Wilcox '09, stole third and came across on Unsell's single.

The Pioneers took a 4-3 edge with two runs in the third. With one out, Clark belted a solo homer to left. Mendoza followed with a single to left, moved to second on a single to right by Roder, stole third and scored on an error.

But after that it was all Monmouth, as the visitors tallied a run in the fourth, four more in the fifth and two in the sixth for a 10-4 lead. Monmouth all but put the game away in the ninth with six more runs. The winners got a complete-game pitching effort from Matt Bourne, who fanned eight.
Game 1
Game 2

The twin bill, which begins at 1 p.m. at Grinnell's North Diamond, as well as Illinois College's doubleheader at Knox College, will help determine which two South Division teams advance to the Midwest Conference Tournament. All four squads enter their games with 5-5 records in division play.

Grinnell is 15-15 following Tuesday's 11-8 non-conference loss at Simpson College. Paden Roder '10 and Jim Malewitz '09 are both hitting .375 to lead Grinnell, while Chad Takabuki '10 is at .357 and Brett Maloney '09 at .352. Roder had four homers on the season, while Takabuki and Maloney have three each. Roder and Maloney have both knocked in 20 runs.

Ryan Harris '10 anchors the pitching staff with a 5-2 record and 3.12 ERA in 43.1 innings. Gary Kahn '09 is 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA in 41.1 frames pitched, while Rick Berdelle '09 is 3-1 with a 3.75 ERA in 48 innings.

Grinnell and Monmouth split games on March 29 on the latter's field, with the hosts winning the first game 9-6 and Grinnell coming back to win the nightcap 7-3.

Monmouth is 6-19 entering Wednesday's home action against Robert Morris-Springfield. Jake Bice is hitting .360 for the Fighting Scots and has 28 RBIs, while Ryan Priola is at .348 and Matt McIntire is at .321. Michael Reed is 2-2 on the mound with a 3.54 ERA in 40.2 innings pitched, while Drew Johnson is 2-4 with a 5.79 ERA in 28 innings.

Simpson scored three runs in the bottom of the third, but the Pioneers struck back with three in the fourth and three more in the sixth. In the fourth, Paden Roder '10 singled with one out, moved to second on an error before Ryan Fletcher '11 delivered a two-run double to center. Greg Suryn '11 later hit an RBI single up the middle.

In the fifth, Brian Sollo '10 tripled to left and scored on a single to left by Brett Maloney '09. Roder followed with a two-run homer to center for a 6-3 lead. But Simpson answered with four runs in the fifth, one on the sixth and three more in the eighth for an 11-6 lead.

Grinnell did answer with two runs in the ninth. JP Prouty '10 walked and Chad Takabuki '10 singled before both scored on Roder's double to right-center. Roder had a huge game with three hits and four RBIs, while Suryn also had three hits. Maloney, Ben Mendoza '09 and Jim Malewitz '08 all had two hits.

Grinnell entertains Monmouth College on Saturday at 1 p.m. in a twin bill.
Box Score

Grinnell wraps up MWC South play Saturday with a home doubleheader against Monmouth College, while Knox College entertains Illinois College the same day. In some of the tie scenarios, a playoff would be necessary to determine which team or teams advance. The top two teams in the South and top two in the North qualify for the MWC Tourney, which is May 9 and 10 at the South Division champion.
MWC South Division baseball scenarios

The Grinnell College baseball team split games at Knox College Sunday in Galesburg, Ill., meaning both teams as well as Monmouth College and Illinois College all have 5-5 records in Midwest Conference South Division play entering the final doubleheaders of the season next weekend. The top two teams of the four earn spots in the postseason tourney, and the division winner hosts the four-team event.

Grinnell won Sunday’s opener 10-4 thanks in part to a four-run seventh inning that helped the Pioneers pull away from a close 4-2 game.

Knox struck for two runs in the bottom of the first inning before Grinnell tied things with two runs in the top of the second. Jim Malewitz ‘09 had an RBI single to score Ben Mendoza ‘09, who reached on a fielder’s choice, while Michael Rosenbaum ‘08 added an RBI double to left-center. The Pioneers tallied solo runs in the fourth and fifth frames. In the fourth, Paden Roder ‘10 blasted a solo homer to left field and in the fifth Brett Maloney ‘09 singled to center, moved up on a hit batsman and wild pitch and scored on a bases-loaded hit batter.

The Pioneers tallied four runs in the seventh to all but put it away. Rosenbaum had a two-run homer to left that scored Mendoza, while Robbie Unsell ‘08 added an RBI double to left-center that scored Chad Takabuki ‘10.

Knox added a run in the bottom of the inning before the Pioneers tallied twice in the top of the eighth as Clark hit a solo homer to left and Rosenbaum added an RBI single to center that scored Malewitz, who had doubled. Knox scored once in the bottom of the inning to account for the final score.

Gary Kahn ‘09 earned the pitching win to improve to 3-2, while Marshall Chavez ‘10 got his first save.

The second game was close until Knox ended it in eight innings with four-run outbursts in both the seventh and eighth for a 12-2 win. The hosts scored twice in the third frame, only to see Grinnell score once in the fourth when Mark Wilcox ‘09 singled to left-center to score Roder, who had doubled. Knox answered with two runs in the fifth for a 4-1 lead before the Pioneers scratched out another run in the sixth when Mendoza doubled and moved up the next two bases on wild pitches. Knox followed with its two big innings to end the game.

Grinnell is now 15-14 overall on the season, while Knox moved to 8-21. The Pioneers play a non-conference game at Simpson College Tuesday and host Monmouth at 1 p.m. Saturday in a twin bill. Knox entertains Illinois College on Saturday.
Game 1
Game 2

The Pioneers beat visiting Illinois College, the team leading the Midwest Conference South Division, by scores of 12-7 and 6-3 on Saturday to snap a five-game losing string and improve to 4-4 in the division and 14-13 overall. Illinois College fell to 5-5 and 14-10-1 as all four teams in the division now have .500 records.

Grinnell pounded out 18 hits in the first game, including three each by Chad Takabuki '10, Robbie Unsell '08 and Brett Maloney '09 (pictured), who had two homers on the day. Illinois College scored a run in the top of the first, but the Pioneers answered with three in the bottom of the frame thanks in part to Unsell's two-run homer to left and an RBI single by Paden Roder '10.

Illinois College added two runs in the second to tie it, but again Grinnell answered with two runs the fourth on a two-run homer by Michael Rosenbaum '08. The Blueboys grabbed a 7- 5 lead in the sixth, only to see Grinnell scratch out solo runs in the sixth and seventh to tie it. In the sixth, Jim Malewitz '09 belted a solo homer to left and in the seventh, Maloney homered to center. The big blast came with a five-run frame in the eighth for the Pioneers. Unsell knocked in two runs with a single and Maloney added a two-run double to lead the charge. Starter Rick Berdelle '09, who pitched the first seven innings, got the win while Chad Christoff '10 got the save.

In the second game, Grinnell shot out to a 6-0 lead before holding off the visitors. Grinnell scored once in the third inning, three more runs in the fifth, and one in the sixth and seventh. Takabuki and Maloney each had three hits for Grinnell and each also had a homer. Ryan Harris '10 was the winning pitcher.

Grinnell's run in the third came on an RBI double by Daniel Clark '08, which scored Maloney. In the fifth, Takabuki belted a solo homer to left and Maloney bashed a two-run shot to left which scored Unsell. In the sixth, Mark Wilcox '09 hit an RBI single to score Rosenbaum, who had doubled to lead off the inning. Maloney doubled to lead off the seventh, went to third on a sacrifice by Clark and scored on Roder's RBI double.

Grinnell plays a makeup doubleheader Sunday at Knox College.
Game 1
Game 2

Grinnell, 12-13 overall and 2-4 in the MWC South Division, is attempting to halt a five-game losing streak. Just last weekend, the Pioneers played at Illinois College and lost a pair of one-run heartbreakers. Paden Roder '10 is Grinnell's leading hitter with a .348 average, while Jim Malewitz '09 is hitting .345 and Chad Takabuki is at .329. Both Roder and Takabuki have two homers apiece, while Ben Mendoza '09 leads the team in RBIs with 18.

On the mound, Ryan Harris '10 and Rick Berdelle '09 each have appeared in 11 games. Harris is 4-2 with a 3.09 ERA and Berdelle is 2-1 with a 3.73 ERA.

Illinois College is leading the MWC South Division with a 5-3 mark and 15-8-1 overall record. Clint Wherley leads the offense with a .427 batting average, while Chris Fair is hitting .393 and Jared Thoele is at .392.David Cripe has anchored the pitching staff with a 3-2 mark and 4.24 ERA in 40-plus innings pitched, while Brad Collignon is 0-2 with a 5.32 ERA in 44 innings.

Grinnell travels to Galesburg, Ill., on Sunday for a makeup doubleheader against Knox College. Action starts at 1 p.m. After that, the Pioneers step out of league play to play at Simpson on Tuesday.

The Pioneers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Chad Takabuki '10 singled to left, stole second, advanced to third on a flyout and scored on Michael Rosenbaum's 08 sacrifice fly to left.

But Cornell answered with five runs in the bottom of the frame for a 5-1 lead. Grinnell answered with a run in the top of the second as Marshall Chavez '10 singled to the shortstop, moved to second on Takabuki's walk and scored when Robbie Unsell '08 delivered a double to left. However, Cornell scored a run in the bottom of the frame and five more in the fourth for a 11-2 lead.

Grinnell got its last run in the sixth as Rosenbaum reached on an error, went to second on JP Prouty's '10 walk, took third when Brian Sollo '10 walked and scored on Jim Malewitz's '09 single to third. Cornell added a run in the eighth inning to conclude the scoring.

Adam Butler earned the pitching win, while David Platt '10 was tagged with the loss. Cornell is now 10-10 on the year, while the Pioneers are now 12-13. Grinnell hosts Illinois College in a twin bill Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.

The Pioneers have a key home doubleheader Saturday when Illinois College visits for a Midwest Conference South Division matchup. Action starts at 10 a.m.
Box Score

With the wins, Illinois College regained the lead in the Midwest Conference South Division standings with a 5-3 mark. The Blueboys are 15-8 overall. Grinnell dipped to 2-4 in MWC South Division play and 12-12 in all games.

In the first game, the hosts shot out to a 5-0 lead before Grinnell jumped back into contention with four runs in the third inning. Jim Malewitz '09 led off with a double and moved to third when Brian Sollo '10 '08 singled. After a popout, an error allowed Malewitz to score. Robbie Unsell '08 delivered an RBI single and Brett Maloney '09 had a two-run single to bring the visitors within 5-4.

Illinois College bounced back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, only to see Grinnell counter with two runs in the top of the sixth. In the sixth, Ben Mendoza '09 led off with a double and moved to third when Paden Roder '10 singled. Roder stole second before Mendoza scored on Sollo's flyout. JP Prouty '10 followed with an RBI single.

The hosts came back with two runs in the bottom of the frame for a 9-6 lead. But Grinnell wasn't finished. In the seventh, Chad Takabuki '10 singled, stole second and scored when Daniel Clark '08 doubled. Mendoza followed with an RBI single. The Pioneers tied it at 9-all in the eighth as Sollo singled, stole second and scored on Takabuki's single. But the hosts came back with the decisive run in the bottom of the eighth to claim the win.

Takabuki finished with three hits in the game, while Clark, Mendoza and Sollo had two each. Jared Thoele and Chris Fair each had three hits for Illinois College. Bret Williams was the winning pitcher, while Chad Christoff '10 got tagged with the loss.

In the second game, Grinnell grabbed leads of 2-0, 4-2 and 6-5 before Illinois College answered the call each time. In the top of the first, Unsell singled to center with one out and went to third on Maloney's double to right-center before both scored on a single to left-center by Roder.

Illinois College tied it with two runs in the third, but Grinnell went ahead again with two runs in the seventh. Unsell singled to center, stole second, went to third on a groundout and scored on Mendoza's single to left. Roder later added an RBI double to left-center.

The hosts went ahead 5-4 with three runs in the bottom of the eighth, but again Grinnell answered with two in the top of the ninth as Roder's homer to right plated Clark, who had singled. Not to be outdone, Illinois College scored a run in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. In the 10th, Unsell doubled and got to third before being stranded. Fair singled through the right side to knock in the winning run in the bottom of the inning.

Unsell and Roder each had three hits for Grinnell, while Mendoza added two. Mark Allemang had four hits for Illinois College. Clint Wherley picked up the pitching win and Takabuki was tagged with the loss.

Grinnell steps out of league play Monday with a single game at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, starting at 5 p.m.
Game 1
Game 2

Because of the change, the Pioneers' home non-conference doubleheader with Cornell on Sunday will now be a single nine-inning game Monday in Mount Vernon. The contest will start at 5 p.m.

Grinnell brings a 12-10 record into the game after last Tuesday's 7-5 non-conference setback to Simpson College. The Pioneers are 2-2 in the division, with splits against both Monmouth College and Knox College. Illinois College, voted by coaches in the preseason as the favorite to win the division, is 12-8 overall and 3-3 in the MWC South Division. The Blueboys have gone 1-3 against Monmouth and swept Knox.

Brett Maloney '09 is Grinnell's leader at the plate, as he has a .347 batting average. JP Prouty '10 is hitting .342 and Jim Malewitz '09 is hitting .333. Rick Berdelle '09 has pitched 36 innings and has a 2-1 record and 2.50 ERA. Ryan Harris '10 is 4-2 with a 3.14 ERA in 28 2/3 innings.

Clint Wherley leads Illinois College's offense with a .439 average and two homers, while Jared Thoele is hitting .400 and Chris Fair is at .391. The Blueboys' top pitchers have been David Cripe (3-2, 4.46 ERA in 34 1/3 innings) and Brad Collignon (0-2, 5.11 ERA in 37 innings), last year's MWC South Division Pitcher of the Year.

Action begins at 1 p.m.

The visitors scored twice in the second inning, four more times in the fifth and again in the sixth to take a 7-0 lead. The Pioneers answered back with a run in the bottom of the sixth when Chad Takabuki '10 walked, moved up two bases on a double by Brett Maloney '09 and scored on a groundout by Daniel Clark '08.

Grinnell made things interesting by adding four more runs in the eighth. Takabuki led off with a single, stole second, moved to third on a single by Ben Mendoza '09 and crossed the plate on a single by Brian Sollo '10. Mark Wilcox '09 pushed across another run with a single, Michael Rosenbaum '08 scored another on a groundout and Robbie Unsell '08 added an RBI single.

But that was as close as the Pioneers could get as they fell to 12-10 on the season. Simpson improved to 16-12.

Grinnell returns to Midwest Conference play on Saturday with a doubleheader at Illinois College, starting at 10 a.m. in Jacksonville, Ill. The Pioneers are at home the next day when they host Cornell College in a doubleheader. The first of the two seven-inning games starts at 1 p.m.
Box Score

The setback dropped Grinnell to 12-9 on the season, while the Dutch improved to 14-12.

Grinnell shot out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Chad Takabuki '10 doubled to right-center field with two out and scored when Brett Maloney '09 delivered a double to left. Central evened the score with a run in the second inning and tallied two more in the third to take the lead for good. The Dutch added a run in the sixth before scoring seven runs with the aid of nine hits and two errors in the seventh inning to end the game.

Michael Edwards had three hits for Central and Trevor Talbott was the winning pitcher, giving up five hits in six innings. Rick Berdelle '09 'was tagged with the loss for Grinnell despite giving up just one earned run in three innings.

Besides Takabuki and Maloney, Mark Wilcox '09 (pictured had two hits for the Pioneers, including a double, and Ben Mendoza '09 hit a single. Grinnell is back in action again Tuesday when another Iowa Conference school, Simpson College, visits the North Diamond for a 2:30 p.m. game.
Box Score

The Pioneers are 12-8 entering today's game at Central College, which was originally slated for last week but was rained out. Entering Monday's game, JP Prouty '10 was the Pioneers' top hitter with a .369 batting average and 15 RBIs. Jim Malewitz '09 is hitting .364 and Brett Maloney '09 is at .359. Rick Berdelle '09 is 2-0 on the mound with a 2.45 ERA and 19 strikeouts, while Michael Rosenbaum '08 owns a 2.45 ERA. Ryan Harris '10 is 4-2 with a 3.16 ERA.

Simpson enters Tuesday's contest with a 15-12 overall record following last Saturday's split with Loras College.

Jason McClaflin has a .381 batting average and 20 RBIs to lead the Storm's offense. Jesse Reis is batting .353 and Corey Rasmussen is at .350. Luke Goermaat has a spotless 0.00 ERA in five outings for the Storm, while Jake Ritchey is 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in eight games and Jared Sass is 5-0 with a 2.55 ERA in six contests. Joe Hajduch has pitched in 10 games and has a 2.77 ERA.

Grinnell returns to Midwest Conference play on Saturday with a doubleheader at Illinois College, starting at 10 a.m. in Jacksonville, Ill. The Pioneers are at home the next day when they host Cornell College in a doubleheader. The first of the two seven-inning games starts at 1 p.m.

The Pioneers, who improved to 12-8, broke away from a 3-all tie with one run in the bottom of the sixth inning and three more in the seventh to account for the final score. With the setback, Coe fell to 15-9.

Coe struck for two runs in the top of the first with the aid of three hits before the Pioneers finally got on the board in the bottom of the third. With two out, Robbie Unsell '08 walked and scored on JP Prouty's '10 double to left. Grinnell went ahead in the fourth with two runs. With one out, Brett Maloney '09 doubled to right and moved to third on a wild pitch. Ben Mendoza '09 followed with a walk before Paden Roder '10 hit an RBI single to left. Each runner moved up a base when Greg Suryn '11 delivered a sacrifice fly to right.

Coe tied it with a run in the fifth, but the Pioneers got that back in the sixth when Mendoza doubled to left with two out and scored on Roder's single to right for a 4-3 lead. In the seventh, Brian Sollo '10 singled to left with one out, but was forced out at second. Prouty walked before Daniel Clark '08 hit an RBI double. Maloney then reached on an error to force another run across to account for the final score.

David Platt '10 was the winning pitcher in relief. He tossed hitless ball for an inning. Chad Takabuki '10 worked two innings after that and didn't give up a hit while fanning four, and Michael Rosenbaum '08 finished off the final inning.

Roder and Sollo both finished with two hits, while Roder also had two RBIs. Tyler McAllister had two hits for Coe.

Grinnell remains out of league play this week with a game Wednesday at Cornell College in Mount Vernon. Game time is 5 p.m.
Box Score
Game photos at: http://community.webshots.com/album/563033419IPteCg

Knox came back to win the second game by an identical 3-2 score. Grinnell is now 2-2 in the Midwest Conference and 11-8 in all games, while the Prairie Fire moved to 1-3 in the league and 4-16 overall.

Grinnell's Rick Berdelle '09 improved to 2-0 on the season with his pitching win in the first game, scattering 10 hits and striking out four over eight innings. Chad Christoff '10 tossed a perfect ninth inning for his first save. He fanned one batter.

Grinnell struck for solo runs in the first and third innings for a 2-0 lead. In the first, Robbie Unsell '08 (pictured) singled to center, stole second and third and scored on a single by Daniel Clark '08. In the third, Unsell again singled, stole second and third and came across the plate on a groundout by Brett Maloney '09.

Knox rallied for single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to knot the game at 2-apiece. But Grinnell bounced back in the bottom of the frame when Jim Malewitz '09 singled, went to third on a double by JP Prouty '10 and scored when Maloney reached on a fielder's choice.

The Pioneers took a 1-0 lead early in the second game when Chad Takabuki '10 walked with one out, went to second on a passed ball and scored on Paden Roder's '10 RBI double. Knox responded with two runs in the third before Grinnell tied it in the seventh when Prouty doubled to center, went to third on Unsell's sacrifice fly and scored on a groundout by Takabuki. But Knox scored the decisive run in the top of the ninth for the win.

Gary Kahn '09 had a solid pitching outing for Grinnell, going seven innings while giving up four hits and striking out four. Ryan Harris pitched the final two innings and was tagged with the loss. Paul Bennett sparked Knox's offense with two hits, including a two-run homer.

Grinnell steps out of conference play Sunday when Coe College visits the North Diamond. Junior varsity action is slated to begin at 1 p.m. with the varsity following at 3, but the order could be reversed if there is a threat of rain. The Pioneers hit the road for another non-conference game Wednesday when they travel to Mount Vernon to play Cornell College at 5 p.m.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

Grinnell is 10-7 overall and 1-1 in the division after splitting games at Monmouth College last Saturday. Brett Maloney '09 is fifth in the conference in batting average at .415 and tops in hits with 22. Ben Mendoza '09 leads the conference in RBIs with 16, while Robbie Unsell '08 leads the MWC in runs scored with 18 and walks with 18. Other top hitters for the Pioneers are JP Prouty '10 (.364), Daniel Clark '08 (.362) and Chad Takabuki '10 (.333). Rick Berdelle '09 is 1-0 on the mound in eight appearances with a 2.52 ERA and 15 strikeouts. Ryan Harris '10 is 4-1 with a 3.04 ERA and 16 strikeouts, while Gary Kahn '09 is 2-1 with a 3.70 ERA and 14 Ks.

Knox has been sparked by Greg Leibach, who is hitting .353. Kevin Malone (.328), Paul Bennett (.314) and Adam Estergard (.308) are other top hitters. Estergard is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA on the mound. Jordan Bail is 0-3 with a 5.09 ERA in four starts, while Sammy Almohandis is 0-3 with a 5.21 ERA in three starts.

Grinnell steps out of league play on Sunday when Coe College visits for a 3 p.m. game at the North Diamond.

The contest will be made up at 3 p.m. on April 14 in Pella.

In the first game, Monmouth broke out to a 2-0 lead through three innings before Grinnell got on the board in the fourth via an RBI single by Daniel Clark '08 that scored Paden Roder '10. But the hosts answered with five runs in the bottom of the frame for a 7-1 lead.

Grinnell did claw its way back, though, scoring four runs in the seventh inning to draw within 7-5. Ben Mendoza '09 singled and Michael Rosenbaum '08 doubled before Mendoza scored on a groundout by Greg Suryn '11. JP Prouty '10 followed with an RBI single before Robbie Unsell '08 had an RBI single and Brett Maloney '09 an RBI double. The Pioneers made it even closer with a run in the eighth on a solo homer by Mendoza, but the hosts countered with two runs in the bottom of the frame to hang on for the win.

Mendoza finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate, while Jake Bice of Monmouth also had three hits. Brian Chandler picked up the pitching win and Gary Kahn '09 was tagged with the setback.

In the second game, Rick Berdelle '09 tossed three-hit ball over 5 1/3 innings to help the Pioneers to victory. He struck out four in that span while earning the win.

The game was scoreless until Grinnell tallied three runs in the fourth inning. Chad Takabuki '10 led off the inning with a homer. Unsell singled and Maloney followed with an RBI double. After Mendoza singled, Clark hit an RBI single.

Monmouth scored a run in the bottom of the sixth, but the Pioneers answered with two runs in the seventh thanks to an RBI single by Prouty and sacrifice fly by Unsell. Monmouth came back with two runs in the bottom of the frame before Grinnell scored two in the eighth on Roder's two-run homer that scored Mendoza.

Unsell and Jim Malewitz '09 both had two hits for the Pioneers, who are 10-7 overall and 1-1 in the league. Ryan Priola had two hits for the Fighting Scots, who are 2-11 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

Grinnell travels to Pella on Thursday for a non-conference test against Central College.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

Robbie Unsell '08, Brett Maloney '09 and Daniel Clark '08 all had two hits for the winners, who won for the fourth time in a row to improve to 9-6. Central fell to 7-7. Chad Christoff '10, the second of five Grinnell pitchers, picked up the win after tossing one-hit ball and striking out two in three innings of work. Rick Berdelle '09, Gary Kahn '09 and Michael Rosenbaum '08 finished up Christoff's performance by all throwing an inning of scoreless ball.

The Pioneers never trailed after scoring twice in the bottom of the first. Maloney accounted for both runs with a towering homer over the left-field fence, which scored Unsell. Central scored once in the top of the second, only to see the Pioneers tally two more runs in the bottom of the frame. Unsell had an RBI single during the inning.

It was more of the same in the third and fourth innings, as each team scored twice both times out. In the third, Ben Mendoza '09 and Michael Rosenbaum '08 were credited with RBIs, while Mendoza delivered a two-run double in the fourth to make it 8-5. The Pioneers got some breathing room in the eighth inning with three runs. Clark accounted for one with an RBI single and Mendoza another with a sacrifice fly, his fourth RBI of the game.

Anthony Bezant led Central with two hits and two RBIs, while Mike Luce took the pitching loss for the Dutch.

Grinnell opens Midwest Conference play on Saturday with a twin bill at Monmouth College, starting at 1 p.m. The Pioneers' next home contest is April 5, which is a twin bill against Knox College at North Field.
Box Score

The Pioneers, who are now 3-3 on the season, lost the opener 7-6 but came back to win the second game 13-9. In the second game, Ben Mendoza '09 went 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs while Robbie Unsell '08, Chad Takabuki '10 and JP Prouty '10 had two hits each. Unsell had a pair of doubles for the Pioneers, who broke the game open with a six-run second inning. Takabuki, the third of four Grinnell pitchers, earned the win.

In the first game, Takabuki led the offense with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. The game was tied 5-all before Western Connecticut State scored twice in the top of the seventh. Grinnell answered with a run in the bottom of the frame, but could get no closer.

Grinnell plays another doubleheader Monday, facing the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

The Pioneers, who are now 3-3 on the season, lost the opener 7-6 but came back to win the second game 13-9. In the second game, Ben Mendoza '09 went 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs while Robbie Unsell '08, Chad Takabuki '10 and JP Prouty '10 had two hits each. Unsell had a pair of doubles for the Pioneers, who broke the game open with a six-run second inning. Takabuki, the third of four Grinnell pitchers, earned the win.

In the first game, Takabuki led the offense with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. The game was tied 5-all before Western Connecticut State scored twice in the top of the seventh. Grinnell answered with a run in the bottom of the frame, but could get no closer.

Grinnell plays another doubleheader Monday, facing the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

Grinnell fell behind 4-0 in the opener before rallying for the win. The Pioneers scored three runs in the fourth inning to get back into contention. With two out, Michael Rosenbaum '08 singled to right-center field and JP Prouty '10 singled up the middle. Rosenbaum moved to third on an error and Robbie Unsell '08 walked to load the bases. Chad Takabuki '10 followed with a three-run triple to bring Grinnell within 4-3.

Westminster scored two runs in the bottom of the frame to go up 6-3. The Pioneers stayed with the pace, though, by scoring twice in the fifth. Paden Roder '10 led off with an infield single and went to second on a single by Daniel Clark '08. Brett Maloney '09 was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Mark Wilcox '09 was hit by a pitch to force in one run and another runner came across on a double play.

Westminster led 7-5 through six innings before the Pioneers erupted for four runs in the seventh. Maloney led off with an infield single and moved to second on a single to left by Wilcox. Garnet Smith '08 was inserted to pinch run for Wilcox, after which Rosenbaum delivered a sacrifice bunt to move the runners. Maloney scored on a wild pitch before Prouty walked and Unsell reached on a fielder's choice to score another run. Ben Mendoza '09 knocked in another run with a sacrifice fly and Roder singled down the left-field line to score another. Gary Kahn '09 pitched the final four innings to earn the victory. He gave up four hits and struck out one. Mendoza, Roder, Clark and Maloney all had two hits.

In the second game, Westminster grabbed 3-0 lead before Grinnell rallied. The Pioneers scored twice in the second inning. Brian Sollo '10 and Jim Malewitz '09 led off with walks before Prouty hit a run-scoring double to left. Takabuki grounded out to score another run. Grinnell tied the game in the fourth inning as Takabuki's walk forced in a run.

Trailing 4-3, Grinnell sealed the victory with three runs in the seventh inning. Clark led off with a single to center and Greg Suryn '11 singled. Maloney loaded the bases with a single to left before Prouty hit a sacrifice fly. Two other runs scored via errors to account for the wining margin. Ryan Harris '10 earned the win, tossing no-hit ball over the final three innings and striking out three.
Grinnell is slated to play at William Penn University on Tuesday.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

A single game had originally been scheduled for Sunday. The twin bill that day will be games of either seven or nine innings, depending on the weather conditions.

St. Olaf rallied from a 1-0 deficit in the opener to post a 3-1 victory and followed that up with a 4-2 victory in which the Oles led 4-0 before holding off a Grinnell rally. With the wins, St. Olaf improved to 3-1 while the Pioneers are 0-2.

In the first game, Brett Maloney '09 had half of Grinnell's hits while going 2-for-3 at the plate. Gary Kahn '09 worked the first four innings of scoreless ball on the mound for Grinnell, scattering three hits and fanning two batters. David Platt '10, who suffered the loss, worked two-thirds of an inning and had three runs credited to him. Chad Christoff '10 tossed the final 2 1/3 innings and gave up three hits while striking out two.

Grinnell scored its run in the bottom of the first inning as Robbie Unsell '08 led off with a walk, stole second and scored when Maloney reached base on an error. Carson Jones had two hits to lead St. Olaf.

In the nightcap, St. Olaf scored four runs in the third inning and continued to lead comfortably until the Pioneers made some noise with a pair of runs in the fifth. Maloney led off the frame with a single to center and moved to second when Ryan Fletcher '11 walked. Both runners moved up on Brian Sollo's 10 sacrifice bunt before Jim Malewitz '09 walked to load the bases. J.P. Prouty '10 followed with a sacrifice fly to left to score a run and Fletcher scored on a single by Chad Takabuki '10.

Ben Mendoza '09 had two hits to spark the Pioneers' offense, while three pitchers combined to throw an eight-hitter for Grinnell. Pitcher of record Ryan Harris '10 worked the first 2 1/3 innings, giving up four hits and three runs, while Rick Berdelle '09 gave up four hits over the next 2 2/3 innings. Patrick Lyons '09 closed out the game by going the final inning. Josh Maus had two hits to lead St. Olaf.

The Pioneers are scheduled to travel to Fulton, Ill., this weekend for games against Westminster College. Saturday's contest is slated for 1 p.m. and Sunday's at noon.

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

Illinois College was selected to win the South, followed by Monmouth. Each received two first-place votes. Knox was picked to finish fourth in the South. St. Norbert received four of five first-place votes while being picked to win the North Division. Ripon, which had the other first-place vote, was selected second, followed by Beloit, Carroll and Lawrence.
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The Pioneers have most of their key components back with 17 letter winners returning, including seven starting positions players and nine pitchers with game experience. The club should be ripping at the seams with experience as the seven returning starters, including three seniors, combine for 16 years of collegiate baseball experience.

"The strength of this team lies in its returnees," said 14th year head coach Tim Hollibaugh, a two-time MWC South Coach of the Year selection. "This is a very good team on paper, but the question on any team is always chemistry and how well the club can play together. This year we have a chance to do very well if our experienced players have a great season and we play well together as a team."

The Pioneers finished one victory away from returning to the MWC playoffs last season, and it will not get any easier for the team in 2008. "The competition in the Midwest Conference will be as strong as it's been at any time" emphasized Hollibaugh, whose team was 13-19 overall last season.

Not only do the Pioneers play excellent competition within the MWC South, Grinnell has also scheduled an extremely difficult non-conference schedule for the 2008 campaign. "Our non-conference schedule is tough and it can work against us as far as our overall record goes, but it will give us great experience as we play our conference games" said Hollibaugh, who has tallied the most wins of any coach in Pioneer history.

A closer look at the team:

Key losses:
From the 2008 team, the top pitchers must be replaced. Bow Brannon (3-3) and Sam Eaton (3-4) were big guns for four years in Grinnell's lineup. The sole position player lost is four-year starter Andrew Colver (.354), who had his best season as a senior. James Bird and Art Valeri were also lost to graduation from last season.

Pitchers:
The strength of the club could be the depth at pitching, but it may also yield some questions marks. Without a dominating number one pitcher to turn to, the Pioneers may pitch by committee to start the season. Four pitchers with solid game experience and seeking starting roles are Rick Berdelle '09 (1-1, 5.65 ERA, 12 SO), Gary Kahn '09 (0-2, 5.28 ERA, 19 SO), Ryan Harris '10 (3-3, 8.79 ERA, 22 SO), and Chad Christoff '10 (0-2, 2.78 ERA, 8 SO). Long relievers for the team include Patrick Lyons '09 (1-2, 8.59 ERA, 5 SO) and David Platt '10 (1-0, 4.91 ERA, 5 SO).

The team has a wealth of short relievers in Robbie Unsell '08, Brian Sollo '10, Chad Takabuki '10, and the primary closer from the 2007 season in Michael Rosenbaum '08 (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 SO). Jacob Ehrenberg '10, who was injured last season, will also compete for some innings as he develops throughout the year. "We have roughly 60 percent of our innings coming back from last year," said Hollibaugh. "Now, whoever is going to be aggressive while utilizing our outstanding defense behind them will be seen as the season develops."

Infield:
Excellent depth and versatility is how the infield can be summarized going into the 2008 season. At first base, Brett Maloney '09 (.300, 18 R, 1 HR, 23 RBI) returns after a healthy second season with Lyons, Paden Roder '10 (.240, 8 R, 6 RBI, 1 SB) and Ryan Fletcher '11 looking to pick up time. At second base, third-team All-Region and first-team All-Midwest Conference South selection Unsell (.370, 22 R, 9 RBI & 7 SB) returns for his senior season. Unsell set the school record for stolen bases last year (26) and is seven away from the career record of 40.

Returning at shortstop is Mendoza, a second-team All-Midwest Conference South Player (.309, 11 R, 16 RBI & 2 SB) whose slick fielding continues to impress. Clark (.294, 19 R, 19 RBI & 2 SB) returns for his third year at third base and is backed up by Rosenbaum (.337, 21 R & 10 RBI). Third, second and short can all be interchanged with each player being able to move around while providing outstanding defense for the Pioneers.

Sollo, Marshall Chavez '10 and Takabuki will see time at all three spots this year. This depth and talent at the infield positions provides plenty of flexibility for Grinnell to put out a solid defensive unit which will try to improve on its defensive record-setting seasons from 2006 and 2007. "This is as solid of a fielding group we have had in my time at Grinnell," said Hollibaugh. "They are exciting to watch and they will put us in position to win a lot of games this year."

Outfield:
The 2008 campaign will see four outfielders returning with good playing experience. The sole graduation is three-year starter Andrew Colver. The Pioneers will look at a stable of players to determine who will have the greatest impact on the team. Rosenbaum returns to play left field while Takabuki (.352, 32 R, 13 RBI & 18 SB) also returns to left field. JP. Prouty '10 (.286, 9 R, 6 RBI, 7 SB) saw ample time in center and right field last season while Roder and Sollo each received experience in 2007. Greg Suryn '11 will work out in right and left field, while Garnet Smith '08 will play both infield and center field for Grinnell. "We bring back an experienced group of outfielders that can run while playing solid defense," said Hollibaugh. "I am excited to see this group improve on the experience from last year."

Catching:
With a solid two years under his belt, Mark Wilcox '09 (.270, 9 R, 8 RBI & 3 SB) returns behind the dish. Jim Malewitz '09 (.259, 4 R, 2 RBI & 1 SB) has been a defensive specialist the last two seasons, and has stepped up his offensive production while competing for the starting role. Fletcher has proven to be a polished catcher and will also see time behind the plate. "This group of catchers can have a major impact on our team this year," said Hollibaugh. "Wilcox and Malewitz have done a great job on the defensive end while working well with our pitching staff."

Schedule:
The Pioneers must battle through tough competition early in the season before heading south to Florida. Grinnell kicks off its season in Minneapolis to play in the Metrodome against 19th-ranked St. Olaf. The Pioneers then head down to Fulton, Mo. to play a weekend series against Westminster before they return to NAIA powerhouse William Penn in early March. Grinnell heads south on its annual two-week spring break and has games with Western Connecticut State University, University of Wisconsin-Superior, SUNY New Paltz, Westminster College (PA), Crown College and Carleton College, where former Pioneer player and assistant coach Aaron Rushing heads the program.

The Pioneers return home to play Central College before they begin they begin their traditional Midwest Conference schedule. With Iowa Conference schools mixed into the already difficult Midwest Conference contests, this schedule could really challenge Grinnell.

The team improved to three games over .500 with an exciting 5-4 come-from-behind victory over William Penn University in its home opener on March 29. The Pioneers trailed 4-3 heading into the ninth inning and got a one-out double from Ben Mendoza '09 to tie the game at three before James Bird '07 came through with a bloop single down the right field line for the game-winner. After a stretch of battling Mother Nature forced the team to more than week-long layoff, it returned to action for its conference opener on April 9, versus Monmouth. The Fighting Scots took the division title a season ago, and the Pioneers were looking to change things this time around.

The Pioneers jumped out to an early 7-2 lead in game one and held a 9-5 advantage heading into the final inning. The Fighting Scots appeared to turn the Pioneers season complete around by scoring seven runs in the top of the ninth to hang onto for a 12-9 victory. Monmouth then went on to win game two, 12-0. From that point on, Grinnell posted a 4-11 mark, which included four losses by three runs or less, en route to a 13-19 overall record (3-9 MWC).

A solid offensive season kept the team in several ballgames, while also leading to a few solid comebacks. The Pioneers finished in the middle of the conference with a .293 batting average, led by Robbie Unsell's ('08) .370 mark. The First Team All-Midwest Conference selection added five doubles, and finished second on the team in both RBI (22) and runs scored (24). He also chipped in with six sacrifice hits as Grinnell finished tied for the league lead in that category with 25. Ben Mendoza '09 also represented the Pioneers with his Second Team All-MWC honors. He finished the year with a .309 average, including five doubles and 16 RBI. In 97 official at-bats he struck out just five times. Defensively, he recorded 98 assists to lead the Pioneers.

A trio of hurlers picked up three wins apiece on the mound this season as Grinnell finished fourth in the league with an ERA of 5.30. Bow Brannon '07 went 3-3 with a 3.83 ERA, while Sam Eaton '07 went 3-4 with a 4.96 ERA. In just his first season, Ryan Harris '10 went 3-3, while also picking up one of the team's two saves on the year.

The Pioneers have a young and experienced nucleus of athletes set to return in 2008. It loses six seniors, but returns nine position players which saw action in at least 20 games, to go along with four pitchers. The team will look to build on that foundation in the off-season with the hopes of making a strong run in postseason play next season.

A native of East Alton, Ill., Unsell was the leader for the Pioneers offensively, finishing his third season with a .370 average, including five doubles and a home run. He was second on the team in both RBI (22) and runs scored (24). He ended the season tied for the league-lead in on-base percentage at .500. He coupled that with his excellent speed and stole a league-best 26 bases in 27 attempts.

The junior turned in his best overall performance this season in the first series against Knox, going 5-for-10, including a double and a pair of stolen bases, with three RBI and three runs scored. Earlier this month, Unsell was named a First Team All-Conference performer.

Grinnell finished its 2007 campaign at 13-19 overall (3-9 MWC).