By: Dana Becker
Messenger Sports Staff
Year in and year out, baseball in the ICCAC and Region XI has forced teams to their limits in hopes of making it out alive.
Under Eric Stein's guidance since 2019, Iowa Central has been at the forefront of that challenge.
With eight players back who saw time in the batting order and six pitchers, the sixth-ranked Tritons — hoping to secure their first regional title since 2017 — were tabbed preseason favorites by the coaches.
"The guys have done a nice job so far," Stein said. "Some of them, you can tell showed up a little bit different in terms of body language compared to the fall just because they have been through the ringer and know what to expect from the college game.
"But I feel like we have a good mix on both sides of things with the offense and pitching."
Iowa Central won 46 games a year ago, including 25 in the ICCAC, to secure the No. 1 seed for regionals. They reached the finals before falling to Southeastern, which would go on to place second at the NJCAA Div. II national tournament.
Over the past seven seasons, five different programs have captured the regional crown, with only Kirkwood claiming multiple titles during that time.
"This league is always a grind," Stein said. "But that is what makes it so special. It gets you prepared for the national tournament if you make it because you cannot just show up and roll the ball out. If you do, you will get humbled.
"You have to come ready to play each and every single day."
Michael Siemer, Jackson Tessman and Josh Hatano all appeared in at least 45 games last spring for the Tritons, with Will Smoot, Zakary Goodwin, Jack Emanuel, former Fort Dodge Senior High standout Jace Ulrich and Brandon Sullivan also seeing playing time.
Siemer hit .277 with 57 RBI, 10 homers and 10 steals, Tessman also hit .277 with 29 RBI and 13 extra-base hits, and Hatano had a .286 average with 24 RBI and 34 runs scored.
Smoot and Goodwin both helped handle catching duties while hitting a combined seven homers. Goodwin is committed to Eastern Illinois, Siemer to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Peter Johnson to Liberty.
"We got some guys with speed and some guys who can hit it over the fence," Stein said. "I like our athleticism as a group and what we can do at the plate and when we get on the bases."
Josh Kirchhoff, a Missouri commit, is the veteran of the pitching staff after making 18 appearances with a 5-1 record over 29-plus innings. The right-hander recorded 39 strikeouts and allowed just 24 hits.
Easton Johnson, the brother of former Triton standout and current minor league pitcher Evan Johnson, made 10 appearances with 26 striekouts last spring.
Ian Culver — who posted a 5-1 record with 37 strikeouts — Hunter Frost, CJ Byrdak and Anthony Steinhoff are also back after logging innings. Steinhoff has committed to Western Illinois.
Algona native Isaiah Byrkeland, who saw action two years ago, also committed to Missouri.
"We have some guys that have high-end stuff," Stein said. "Our job is to try and get them into roles to be successful."
Iowa Central will handle hosting duties for the Region XI Div. II Tournament from May 9-12 at Rogers Park. A change this year will see two at-large selections earn bids to the national tournament.
Rounding out Stein's staff will be Jake Astor, Korey Kuhlmann and Walker Gentz.
The sixth-ranked Tritons are currently 11-0 and set for a 13-game homestand beginning Tuesday at Rogers Park vs. Iowa Lakes.