Saluki Baseball: A Program on the Rise

Saluki Baseball is a program on the rise in the Missouri Valley Conference Head Coach Ken Henderson has the Dawgs contending for a conference title and an NCAA tournament berth.

The Saluki Baseball Program

Since its founding in 1951, the Saluki baseball program has been on the rise, culminating in a NCAA Division I World Series appearance in 2017. Under head coach Ken Henderson, the team has seen a resurgence in recent years thanks in part to increased recruiting efforts and Improved Player development.

The 2017 season was a special one for the Salukis, as they won their first Missouri Valley Conference regular season title since joining the conference in 1991. They went on to win the MVC tournament and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament where they made it all the way to Omaha and the College World Series

While they ultimately fell short of their ultimate goal, finishing as runners-up, the Saluki Baseball Program made a statement on the national stage that they are a force to be reckoned with. With another strong recruiting class coming in 2018 and Coach Henderson at the helm, there is no doubt that the Salukis will be back in Omaha competing for a National Championship in the near future.

The History of Saluki Baseball

Saluki baseball has a long and storied history dating back to the late 1800s. The program has seen its ups and downs over the years, but it is definitely on the rise once again.

The Salukis have made 12 NCAA tournament appearances, most recently in 2019. They have won 11 conference championships including six in the last 10 years. And they have had 37 Major League Baseball draft picks including first-rounders Anthony Reyes and Braden Looper.

The future looks bright for Saluki baseball. With a new stadium set to open in 2020 and a talented young team, Saluki fans have a lot to be excited about.

The Saluki baseball coaching Staff

The Saluki Baseball coaching staff is committed to helping the program continue its ascent in the college baseball ranks.

Head coach Nick Davey has assembled a talented and experienced staff that includes assistant coaches Gary McClure and Andrew Brewer, as well as pitching coach Kasey Stetzel and hitting coach Brad Boyer.

Coach Davey is entering his seventh season at the helm of the Saluki baseball program and has led the team to unprecedented success, including a pair of Missouri Valley Conference regular season championships and four straight trips to the NCAA tournament

Under his guidance, the Salukis have developed into one of the top programs in the Midwest, regularly competing for conference and regional titles while also making a mark on the national scene.

Coach McClure is in his fourth season as an Assistant Coach at SIU and his second as the recruiting coordinator. He has played a key role in helping to attract some of the top talent in the region to Carbondale.

Coach Brewer joined the Saluki staff prior to the 2018 season and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having served as a Head Coach at both the High School and junior college levels.

Pitching coach Kasey Stetzel is entering her third season with SIU after spending two years as an assistant coach at Iowa State University She has helped mold some of SIU’s top pitchers into All-conference performers and has also been instrumental in developing a strong pitching staff for SIU’s future.

Hitting coach Brad Boyer is also entering his third season with the Salukis after spending two years as an assistant coach at Bradley University He has helped SIU hitters make significant strides over his tenure and has played a key role in turning around a struggling offense.

The Saluki Baseball Facilities

The Saluki Baseball Program has seen great success in recent years both on and off the field. Thanks in large part to significant upgrades to their facility, the team has been able to attract top-tier talent and secure the resources necessary to compete at a high level.

The most notable of these upgrades is the indoor batting cage which gives the team an edge in both practice and game situations. The cage allows hitters to get live reps year-round, giving them a significant advantage over their opponents.

In addition to the Batting Cage the school has also installed a state-of-the-art weight room and training facility. This allows the team to properly condition their bodies for the rigors of a long season. It also gives them a place to work out and stay in shape during the offseason.

Finally, the school has made a commitment to improving the quality of their playing surfaces. In recent years they have installed new turf on both their practice and game fields. This has resulted in safer playing conditions and better overall drainage.

The improvements to the Saluki baseball facilities have had a big impact on the program’s success. With continued dedication from administration, coaches, and players, there is no telling how far they can go!

The Saluki baseball recruiting Process

The Saluki baseball recruiting process begins with identifying potential student-athletes who might be a fit for the program. The Coaching Staff uses a variety of resources, including baseball recruiting services, to find talented players from around the country.

Once potential recruits are identified, the next step is reaching out to them to gauge their interest in attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The coaching staff will communicate with recruits via telephone, email, and social media If a recruit expresses interest in learning more about SIU Carbondale, the Coaching Staff will invite him to campus for an official visit.

During an official visit, the recruit will have an opportunity to meet with members of the coaching staff tour the campus and facilities, and experience a Saluki baseball game Official visits are paid for by SIU Carbondale and can last up to 48 hours.

If a recruit is still interested in SIU Carbondale after his official visit, the next step is for him to submit a National Letter of Intent (NLI). Once the NLI is received and processed by SIU Carbondale, the recruit becomes a member of the Saluki baseball program

The Saluki baseball development Process

It is no secret that the Saluki baseball program has been on the rise in recent years. Head coach Ken Henderson has led the team to new heights, and the development process of the program has been a big part of that.

The development process of a baseball player is one that takes time and patience. It is not something that can be rushed, and it is important to trust the process.

The first step in the development process is to identify raw talent This is done by scouting high school games, showcases, and tournaments. Once a player has been identified, they will then go through a tryout process.

The next step is to develop the player’s skillset. This is done by working with them on their hitting, pitching, and fielding. The goal is to turn them into a well-rounded player who can contribute at all levels of the game.

The final step in the process is to get the player into game action. This can be done by sending them to play in lower-level leagues or by having them practice against teammates who are at a higher level. The goal is to get them ready for the challenges that they will face at the next level.

The Saluki Baseball Program has been following this development process for years, and it has paid off in a big way. The team has seen a dramatic increase in their win total over the last few years, and they are poised for even more success in the future.

The Saluki baseball player Pathway

Since the early 2000s, the Saluki Baseball Program has seen a steady rise in success. A large part of this can be attributed to the development of what head coach Ken Henderson calls the “Saluki baseball player Pathway.”

The Pathway is a system that starts with identifying and recruiting talented young players These players are then developed through the Saluki baseball system, from the Junior varsity squad all the way up to the Division I level.

The ultimate goal of the Pathway is to produce successful Major League Baseball players, but it has also proven to be a valuable tool for developing players at all levels of the game.

The Saluki Baseball Alumni

The Saluki baseball alumni Association (SBAA) is proud to support the Saluki Baseball program The SBAA is made up of former Saluki baseball players coaches, and fans. We are dedicated to promoting the program and supporting the team in any way we can.

The Saluki baseball fan Base

In recent years, the Saluki Baseball Program has seen a dramatic increase in fan support. This is due in part to the team’s success on the field, as well as the school’s efforts to make the game day experience more enjoyable for fans.

One of the most noticeable changes has been the increase in attendance. In 2019, the Salukis averaged nearly 1,700 fans per game, which was more than double their average attendance just four years earlier. This increase in attendance has been especially evident during conference play when fans have packed he stands to support their team.

Another change that has helped grow the Saluki baseball fan base is the addition of new amenities at Saluki Stadium. These amenities include a brand new video board, better concessions, and more activities for kids. These upgrades have made Saluki Stadium one of the best places to watch a college baseball game in the country.

As the Saluki Baseball Program continues to rise, so does its fan base. With continued success on the field and more improvements planned for Saluki Stadium, there is no limit to how big this fan base can become.

The Future of Saluki Baseball

Coming off of their best season in recent memory, the Salukis are poised to make even more noise in the coming years. With a core group of young talent leading the way, Saluki baseball is on the rise.

In 2019, the Salukis finished with a record of 36-22, good for second place in the Missouri Valley Conference They also made their first appearance in the conference tournament since 2016. Despite falling just short of their goal of making the NCAA tournament it was a highly successful season for the team.

Now, with most of their Key Players returning, the Salukis are looking to take things to the next level. They have high hopes for the 2020 season, and they believe that they have what it takes to make a run at the conference title and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament

With a talented group of players leading the way, coupled with a strong support system from the Coaching Staff and fans, there is no doubt that Saluki baseball is on the rise.