The 2021-22 Black Hawk College baseball team was successful on the field and in the classroom.
The Braves started the Spring 2022 season ranked #9 in the country in NJCAA Division II, the highest preseason ranking in the history of the program.
They ended the season 35-20 overall, 16-4 in the Arrowhead Conference, second in the conference and third in the NJCAA Region IV Tournament. They were eliminated from the regional tournament by Madison College, the eventual NJCAA Division II national runner-up.
Five players made the All-Conference Team, one player was named to the NJCAA Division II All-America Third Team, and three joined NJCAA Division II All North Central District/Region IV teams.
Coach Josh Keim after pre-game meeting
The Braves were named an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year for baseball and received the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Team Academic Excellence Award. Fourteen players won Arrowhead Academic All-Conference awards.
Thirteen players will continue playing at the next level, with some headed to NCAA Division I and II and NAIA programs.
“This sophomore group moving on left the program better on the field, in the classroom, and in the community,” said second-year head coach Josh Keim.
“I personally thank them for their hard work, dedication and loyalty to our college and baseball program. They will excel in their journey at the next level,” he said.
Looking ahead, Keim is excited about the upcoming year’s team and the future of the program.
Lucas Spence
Athletic achievements 2021-22
Arrowhead All-Conference Team
- Sebastian Cabeza – C
- Giacomo O’Neill – P
- Chance Resetich – IF
- Brandon Roth – OF
- Lucas Spence – OF
NJCAA Division II All-America Team
- Third Team All-American
- Payton Lawrence – P
NJCAA Division II All North Central District/Region IV Team
- First Team
- Payton Lawrence – P
- Lucas Spence – DH
- Second Team
- Chance Resetich – INF
NJCAA Division II All North Central District/Region IV Rawlings Gold Glove Team
- Lucas Spence – OF
Chance Resetich
Players moving on
- Payton Lawrence – Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) (NCAA D1)
- Chance Resetich – Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) (NCAA D1)
- Charlie Allison – Northwood University (NCAA D2)
- Brandon Roth – McKendree University (NCAA D2)
- Ely Adams – Roosevelt University (NAIA)
- Dalton Kottmer – Union College (NAIA)
- Grant Baker – St. Ambrose University (NAIA)
- Colin Bruce, Tucker Cole, Alex Heckroth, Petey Kiefer, Brad Niedzwiedz and Seth West – will be moving on to continue playing (schools TBD)
Academic achievements 2021-22
- Fall 2021 team GPA – 3.35
- Spring 2022 team GPA – 3.35
- 2021-2022 team GPA – 3.35
- NJCAA Academic Team of the Year
- American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Team Academic Excellence Award
- Arrowhead Academic All-Conference
Other achievements
- All team members volunteered for the BHC 5K Hustle to benefit scholarships for the Black Hawk College PTA Program.
- Players worked the Rock Island Parks & Recreation Youth Baseball Skills Camp.