Big Blue Baseball Picked Third in CCIW Preseason Poll

Big Blue Baseball Picked Third in CCIW Preseason Poll
DECATUR, Illinois—The Millikin University baseball team is picked to finish in third place in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) race in 2023 according to the CCIW Baseball Preseason Poll released on February 6.

The Big Blue received 47 points in the voting by CCIW head baseball coaches and were picked behind first place North Central College and second place Augustana College.
2023 CCIW Baseball Preseason Poll
1. North Central (7 first-place votes), 62 points
2. Augustana (2 first-place votes), 56 points
3. Millikin, 47 points
4. Wheaton, 39 points
5. Illinois Wesleyan, 31 points
6. North Park, 30 points
7. Carroll, 29 points
8. Carthage, 21 points
9. Elmhurst, 9 points

Millikin is looking to build on its success over the last two season when the Big Blue finished among the top four teams in the conference. Last year, Millikin finished in a three-way tie for second place in the league with an 11-7 CCIW record. The Big Blue were 27-16 overall.

Millikin returns three players that earned CCIW All-Conference honors including two First Team selections. Senior pitcher Caleb Buehrle (Wildwood, Mo., St. John Vianney H.S.) returns after earning First Team All-Conference and ABCA\Rawlings NCAA Division III Region Eight All-Region Third Team honors in 2022. Buehrle was 8-4 on the season with a 3.79 ERA and 73 strikeouts. He led the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) in wins and innings pitched with 90.1.

Sophomore outfielder Tyler Gade (Rochester, H.S.) is back after being named to the CCIW All-Conference First Team and named the CCIW First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year. Last season, Gade hit .333 with 10 RBI and 17 stolen bases. Gade did his best work in CCIW contests where he led the conference in steals with 15 and hit .343.

Sophomore third baseman Kyle Gibson (Niles, Niles West H.S.) returns to the lineup after earning All-Conference Second Team honors last season when he hit .326 with 26 RBI and 16 stolen bases.

Millikin returns four players who spent most of 2022 in the starting line-up. That group is lead by junior second baseman Tommy Shaw (Elburn, Kaneland H.S.) who hit .283 starting all 43 games at second base. Junior Lucas Ryan (Chatham, Chatham Glenwood H.S.) returns after getting starts in the outfield and at catcher last season. Sophomores shortstop Liam McGill (Bloomington, H.S.) and first baseman Andy Niebrugge (Teutopolis, H.S.) are also back for the 2023 campaign.

In addition to Buehrle, the Big Blue pitching staff returns three pitchers that made at least four starts last season picking up two wins. Returning starters include
juniors Drew Detmers (Chatham, Chatham Glenwood H.S.), Kelby Golladay (Decatur, MacArthur H.S.) and Matt Wilson (La Miranda, Calif., H.S.). Versatile sophomore Max Simpson (Evansville, Red Bud H.S.) is back after posting a 4-2 record last season coming out of the bullpen and making two starts. Senior Aaron Agee (Maroa, Maroa Forsyth H.S.) returns to finish off games after picking up five saves last seasons.

Millikin is scheduled to open the season February 10-11 with a three-game series at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. The Big Blue's home opener is scheduled for February 25 at 12 p.m. with a doubleheader against Benedictine University at Workman Family Baseball Field.

2023 Millikin Baseball Schedule

2023 Millikin Baseball Roster

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Players Mentioned

#45 Caleb Buehrle: RHP; 6' 3"; Senior; R/R

#24 Drew Detmers: RHP; 6' 2"; Sophomore; R/R

#20 Lucas Ryan: C/OF; 6' 0"; Sophomore; L/R

#5 Tommy Shaw: INF; 6' 1"; Sophomore; R/R

#39 Matt Wilson: RHP; 6' 1"; Sophomore; R/R

#3 Aaron Agee: INF/P; 5' 10"; Junior; R/R

#21 Tyler Gade: OF; 5' 10"; Freshman; L/R

#36 Kelby Golladay: 1B/P; 6' 1"; Sophomore; R/R

#6 Liam McGill: MIF; 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R

#25 Andy Niebrugge: 1B/P; 6' 4"; Freshman; R/R

#27 Max Simpson: LHP; 6' 3"; Freshman; L/L

#19 Kyle Gibson: INF; 6' 0"; Freshman; L/R

Players Mentioned

#45 Caleb Buehrle
: 6' 3"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

#24 Drew Detmers
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; R/R
: RHP

#20 Lucas Ryan
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; L/R
: C/OF

#5 Tommy Shaw
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#39 Matt Wilson
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; R/R
: RHP

#3 Aaron Agee
: 5' 10"; Junior; R/R
: INF/P

#21 Tyler Gade
: 5' 10"; Freshman; L/R
: OF

#36 Kelby Golladay
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; R/R
: 1B/P

#6 Liam McGill
: 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R
: MIF

#25 Andy Niebrugge
: 6' 4"; Freshman; R/R
: 1B/P

#27 Max Simpson
: 6' 3"; Freshman; L/L
: LHP

#19 Kyle Gibson
: 6' 0"; Freshman; L/R
: INF