A Red Devil reunion at IVCC

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OGLESBY — Mike Fulkerson welcomed his first recruiting class to the Hilltop Tuesday afternoon, bringing five recruits into the Illinois Valley Community College baseball program.

Hall Red Devils’ Wes Herrmann and Jake Kelley will be reunited at IVCC, joining Brett Burkart and Matt Schmitt, fresh off of LaSalle-Peru’s state tournament run, and Matt Scarbeary of Streator.

Fulkerson, a standout at IVCC and Princeton High School, said the Hall pair will bring some much needed speed to the Eagles nest, along with some pitching prospects.

“Both will come in and play outfield for us. Both bring an attribute we desperately need which is speed. That’s something we desperately lacked this last year.”

“Both have the ability to pitch. Jake will be counted on a lot to pitch as a lefty and contribute offensively. Wes will either bat at the top of the order or bottom with his wheels.”

Kelley hit .276 for the Red Devils this spring with four doubles and 13 RBIs; on the mound, he had a record of 1-7 with a 6.91 ERA.

“It feels good to play two more yeawrs of baseball,” Kelley said.

He thinks continuing to play with Herrmann will prove to be an advantage on the field.

“He is a familiar face out there. We’ve been playing our whole lives, so we can communicate better,” Kelley said.

Herrmann, who hit .330 for the Red Devils as a senior with three homers and 18 RBIs and amassed a 3-5 record on the mound with an ERA of 3.05, agrees that having a former teammate join him in the outfield at IVCC will be a bonus.

“You’re more comfortable out there because you’ve already played with him,” Herrmann said.

Herrmann hopes to make a big impact on the Eagles.

“I’m kind of looking to turn the team around and get better myself, too.” Herrmann said.

Fulkerson said he has five returning sophomores, including Putnam County product Ben Fogley. He said Bureau Valley graduate P.J. Baker may also come to play for the Eagles, who are looking to rebuild after a rough season last year with only two wins.

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