• Welcome to BradleyFans.com! Visitors are welcome, but we encourage you to sign up and register as a member. It's free and takes only a few seconds. Just click on the link to Register at the top right of the page, and follow instructions. If you have any problems or questions, click on the link at the bottom right of the page to Contact Us.

Bradley baseball

Bradley gave it’s baseball program a real slap in the face several years ago when it eliminated the fall baseball season. That was the time that coaches evaluated the new recruits and walk on players. Couple that with the horrible foresight to not build an indoor batting cage in the new facility on campus, that the men and women could have used, tells all we need to know.
 
I thought that I would add this to this thread. Right now the starting center fielder for the Chicago Cubs is a Bradley grad. Mike Tauchman graduated in 2013. He batted .425 his senior year. He went to high school in Palatine.
 
Had a good run in the 80's.
In 84 Mike Dunne # 7 over all to the Cardinals.. and in 83 Jim Lindemann was taken in the first round by the Cardinals with the 24th pick.
In 82 Kirby Puckett went number 3 overall. He only played one year for the Braves before transferring. The Braves gave him a shot when he did not receive any scholarship offers.
I'm sure there were others.
 
KillerB said:
Had a good run in the 80's.
In 84 Mike Dunne # 7 over all to the Cardinals.. and in 83 Jim Lindemann was taken in the first round by the Cardinals with the 24th pick.
In 82 Kirby Puckett went number 3 overall. He only played one year for the Braves before transferring. The Braves gave him a shot when he did not receive any scholarship offers.
I'm sure there were others.
Click to expand...
Dewey had really good years- 13 seasons w/ 30 or more wins, right up to the Glasser era with 32wins in 2007 & a nice run in the tourney, knocked out by ranked Creighton. There were no miserable 2 or 4 win MVC seasons.
 
KillerB said:
Had a good run in the 80's.
In 84 Mike Dunne # 7 over all to the Cardinals.. and in 83 Jim Lindemann was taken in the first round by the Cardinals with the 24th pick.
In 82 Kirby Puckett went number 3 overall. He only played one year for the Braves before transferring. The Braves gave him a shot when he did not receive any scholarship offers.
I'm sure there were others.
Click to expand...

Bradley was so much better in the major sports during the '80s -- men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball... What the hell happened?!
 
I believe that is correct.
Press release from 2015- https://bradleybraves.com/news/2015/5/25/210107589.aspx

The Braves are making their seventh appearance in the NCAA Baseball Championship, but the first since the NCAA began instituting the current regional format. Bradley's previous postseason appearances were 1950, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1962, 1968 and the Braves advanced to the College World Series in 1950 and 1956. Bradley lost both of its NCAA District V Playoff games in 1957 (Iowa State), 1959 (Oklahoma State), 1962 (Missouri) and 1968 (Oklahoma State) and the Braves have lost nine straight NCAA postseason games overall since their third-round win against Wyoming (12-8 ) in the 1956 CWS.
 
PhiAlphaBoy said:
Bradley was so much better in the major sports during the '80s -- men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball... What the hell happened?![/QUOT

I believe it started with the elimination of PE as a major and the failure to recruit local athletes as well as general students to the university. Local students and athletes create interest in the community. I remember a time when many local school administrators, teachers and coaches had degrees from BU. I don't know of any current local high school coach (other than Jeremy Crouch) that has a degree from Bradley. While there may be some local school administrators or coaches that received their "Masters" at BU, few get their "Bachelors" degree. It appears as if, other than men's basketball, Bradley offers athletics because they have to.
Click to expand...
 
Bball31 said:
PhiAlphaBoy said:
Bradley was so much better in the major sports during the '80s -- men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball... What the hell happened?![/QUOT

I believe it started with the elimination of PE as a major and the failure to recruit local athletes as well as general students to the university. Local students and athletes create interest in the community. I remember a time when many local school administrators, teachers and coaches had degrees from BU. I don't know of any current local high school coach (other than Jeremy Crouch) that has a degree from Bradley. While there may be some local school administrators or coaches that received their "Masters" at BU, few get their "Bachelors" degree. It appears as if, other than men's basketball, Bradley offers athletics because they have to.
Click to expand...

I have heard that before. The argument was that it created coaches that went out into the work force as high school coaches around the country. That would work in Bradley's favor for potential athletes.
Click to expand...
 
Bball31 said:
I don't know of any current local high school coach (other than Jeremy Crouch) that has a degree from Bradley. ....
Click to expand...

not many locally now, did you forget that Daniel Ruffin is head coach at Peoria Central - taking over for his dad who was also a Bradley grad.
...also we had Eddie Mathews up til Covid, Chuck Buescher til Bradley scooped him up and Mark Dohner til just a couple years ago - and his son Aaron Dohner was just named IBCA Coach of the Year at Eureka HS. Also Cellus is getting into coaching & development & I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a position on some local staff and Billy Wright is head coach at Richmond over in Indiana.
...but there've been quite a few long timers up in the Chicago area, Tom Les, Kevin Clancy, Malnati, Tim Bankston and Al B was coaching up til recently but he wouldn't do Bradley any favors.
 
Bball31 said:
PhiAlphaBoy said:
Bradley was so much better in the major sports during the '80s -- men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball... What the hell happened?![/QUOT

I believe it started with the elimination of PE as a major and the failure to recruit local athletes as well as general students to the university. Local students and athletes create interest in the community. I remember a time when many local school administrators, teachers and coaches had degrees from BU. I don't know of any current local high school coach (other than Jeremy Crouch) that has a degree from Bradley. While there may be some local school administrators or coaches that received their "Masters" at BU, few get their "Bachelors" degree. It appears as if, other than men's basketball, Bradley offers athletics because they have to.
Click to expand...

If everyone returns, the Bradley baseball team will have 9 players from the Mid-Illini Conference next year.
Washington - 2
Morton - 2
Dunlap - 3
Metamora - 1
Limestone - 1
Click to expand...
 
bradleyfan124 said:
Old Coach said:
I thought I also heard that the top pitcher for Washington High is going to Bradley next year
Click to expand...

That's Tate Roley from Morton. Washington doesn't have any senior pitchers this year. There were 2 freshmen pitchers on the Bradley roster this year from Washington. Last year's PJ Star POY, Easton Harris, was a 2-way player as a pitcher and infielder for the Braves.

2023-2024 Bradley Baseball (again assuming all return)

Ryan Vogel - Metamora, SR outfielder (2023 A.J. Robertson MVP)
Taylor Catton - Dunlap, SR pitcher (114 strikeouts in 125 career innings pitched)
Jackson Chatterton - Dunlap, SR infielder (started every game at 2B his FR and SO seasons)
John Day - Dunlap, JR pitcher (30 strikeouts in 29 career innings pitched)
Travis Lutz - Limestone, JR pitcher (12 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched in his first season with the Braves)
Gus Lucas - Washington, SO pitcher (made 3 relief appearances as a FR)
Easton Harris - Washington, SO pitcher/infielder (21 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched; appeared in 30 games at SS)
Beau Durbin - Morton, SO infielder (played his freshman season at ICC in 2023)
Tate Roley - Morton, FR pitcher (likely 2023 PJ Star POY)
Click to expand...
 
Team ERA has been 6.00-7.00 for the last several years, you're not going to win with that,
but prior to 2019, Bradley's team ERA led the league.
(in the 3.00-4.00 range)

so why was pitching coach Larry Scully sent packing? Maybe we are missing something but he left Bradley & got hired at Ball State
and preso - they jumped to the lead in their league in ERA ...Ball State had a TEAM ERA of a remarkable 3.82 under Scully.
(which would have lead The MVC this year)
 
Old Coach said:
That's Tate Roley from Morton. Washington doesn't have any senior pitchers this year. There were 2 freshmen pitchers on the Bradley roster this year from Washington. Last year's PJ Star POY, Easton Harris, was a 2-way player as a pitcher and infielder for the Braves.

2023-2024 Bradley Baseball (again assuming all return)

Ryan Vogel - Metamora, SR outfielder (2023 A.J. Robertson MVP)
Taylor Catton - Dunlap, SR pitcher (114 strikeouts in 125 career innings pitched)
Jackson Chatterton - Dunlap, SR infielder (started every game at 2B his FR and SO seasons)
John Day - Dunlap, JR pitcher (30 strikeouts in 29 career innings pitched)
Travis Lutz - Limestone, JR pitcher (12 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched in his first season with the Braves)
Gus Lucas - Washington, SO pitcher (made 3 relief appearances as a FR)
Easton Harris - Washington, SO pitcher/infielder (21 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched; appeared in 30 games at SS)
Beau Durbin - Morton, SO infielder (played his freshman season at ICC in 2023)
Tate Roley - Morton, FR pitcher (likely 2023 PJ Star POY)
Click to expand...

Right on cue, another central Illinois kid signs with Bradley. ICC pitcher (Peoria Richwoods), Nick Hairline will be a Brave in the fall.
 
yoda said:
Team ERA has been 6.00-7.00 for the last several years, you're not going to win with that,
but prior to 2019, Bradley's team ERA led the league.
(in the 3.00-4.00 range)

so why was pitching coach Larry Scully sent packing? Maybe we are missing something but he left Bradley & got hired at Ball State
and preso - they jumped to the lead in their league in ERA ...Ball State had a TEAM ERA of a remarkable 3.82 under Scully.
(which would have lead The MVC this year)
Click to expand...

I don't think he was sent packing. I feel like I remember hearing that it was a money thing, but I could be wrong.
 
who knows- but the numbers are impressive and Bradley did much better during the stretch he was the pitching coach

Here's a couple comments in his BSU bio
"(2018-19), Bradley led the RPI No. 6-ranked Missouri Valley Conference in ERA (3.37), fewest hits allowed per game (7.21) and WHIP (1.27). Between 2015-19, Bradley's pitching staff reached many notable achievements under Scully:
  • In 2016, Bradley led the Missouri Valley Conference and ranked 34th in the nation with a 3.52 ERA
  • In 2015, Scully helped Bradley to an NCAA Tournament appearance as the team set a program record with eight shutouts and posted a 34.1 inning scoreless streak.
  • Over five seasons, 11 Bradley pitchers earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors.
  • Four of his pitchers at Bradley were selected in the first 22 rounds of the MLB Draft, and a fifth signed a free agent contract.
Scully has coached 21 of his 26 seasons at the collegiate level. Prior to coaching at Bradley, Scully coached at Murray State and was head coach at Truman State from 2000-06. As an assistant at Lamar Community College in 2013, Scully's pitching staff had a 3.20 ERA and the team was ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA. "

at the collegiate level, obviously pitching is important and a team ERA of 6.50 & allowing opponents to hit nearly .300, with the two pitchers who pitched the most innings, 32 appearances & started 21 games had a combined record of 2-12 with ERA of 7.00 & an opponent BA of .302 - isn't gonna win the league.
BU pitching also led the league in giving up walks & hit batsmen & wild pitches.
 
Theo Denlinger is doing pretty well for Boston’s AA squad. 1.65 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. He might be the next big leaguer.
 
yoda said:
who knows- but the numbers are impressive and Bradley did much better during the stretch he was the pitching coach

Here's a couple comments in his BSU bio
"(2018-19), Bradley led the RPI No. 6-ranked Missouri Valley Conference in ERA (3.37), fewest hits allowed per game (7.21) and WHIP (1.27). Between 2015-19, Bradley's pitching staff reached many notable achievements under Scully:
  • In 2016, Bradley led the Missouri Valley Conference and ranked 34th in the nation with a 3.52 ERA
  • In 2015, Scully helped Bradley to an NCAA Tournament appearance as the team set a program record with eight shutouts and posted a 34.1 inning scoreless streak.
  • Over five seasons, 11 Bradley pitchers earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors.
  • Four of his pitchers at Bradley were selected in the first 22 rounds of the MLB Draft, and a fifth signed a free agent contract.
Scully has coached 21 of his 26 seasons at the collegiate level. Prior to coaching at Bradley, Scully coached at Murray State and was head coach at Truman State from 2000-06. As an assistant at Lamar Community College in 2013, Scully's pitching staff had a 3.20 ERA and the team was ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA. "

at the collegiate level, obviously pitching is important and a team ERA of 6.50 & allowing opponents to hit nearly .300, with the two pitchers who pitched the most innings, 32 appearances & started 21 games had a combined record of 2-12 with ERA of 7.00 & an opponent BA of .302 - isn't gonna win the league.
BU pitching also led the league in giving up walks & hit batsmen & wild pitches.
Click to expand...

For sure, Scully has been a very good coach. Assuming he stays at Murray State, he'll be back in Peoria next spring when the Racers visit the Braves.
 
Old Coach said:
I don't think he was sent packing. I feel like I remember hearing that it was a money thing, but I could be wrong.
Click to expand...

More then likely a money thing. A former BU hitting coach left Bradley and went to Birmingham Southern when the were D1. I mentioned it seemed like a step-down and was informed it was a double in pay because Bradley doesn't pay well for baseball coaches.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top