Cyclones baseball leaves behind a bumpy 2013 with promise for next season

Things aren’t always as they seem. A bumpy first year for skipper Cole Farmer masks some big achievements for the 2013 Moraine Valley Community College baseball team and high prospects for next season.

Besides unfavorable weather, which canceled 10 games, the Cyclones had a string of losses contributing to an overall record of 13-26 and a 4-10 record in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference. The team ended the season in the NJCAA Region IV sectionals. “What it came down to was a lack of determination and commitment from some players. They were unenthusiastic and didn’t want to play. That makes it hard to win. You want players to really love the game,” Farmer said. He plans to remedy that with some strong prospective recruits.

This much the Cyclones can say for the season: they had a big win over Triton College and sweeps of Elgin Community College and 2012 NJCAA Division III national champion Joliet Junior College. Several players also had standout seasons including first team All-Conference catcher Mario Hernandez (Homewood-Flossmoor). The sophomore starter batted .415. “I’m proud Mario gutted it out. He loves baseball and showed it every time he was on the diamond. He put up good numbers and had a good year. We’ll be sad to see him go,” Farmer said. Freshman southpaw Mike Levigne (Sandburg) was the ace pitcher, throwing solid outings in many games. Freshman Brandon Martinez (Sandburg) received a nod to the All-Conference first team while freshman righty pitcher Kyle Belluomini (Stagg) and sophomore Scott Petrovich (Fort Lauderdale) earned All-Conference second team honors. Mike Habas (Homewood-Flossmoor), a designated hitter, earned All-NJCAA Region IV second team honors.

When Farmer was hired late last year he didn’t have time to recruit most of his squad. He already has some talented players signed to play next season and will recruit more into his system of fast-paced ball. “It was a frustrating year this first time around, but things are on the uptick,” he said.

For more information on Moraine Valley Athletics, visit www.morainevalley.edu/athletics/default.htm.