Rockford Sun

Rock Valley College Athletics issued the following announcement on Dec. 20

After a productive fall getting to play quality four year Universities and several other Junior Colleges at several showcases such as: Northern Illinois University, Edgewood College, UW- Parkside.  The Golden Eagles are battle tested heading into the spring 2022 campaign.

Rock Valley College will open up their spring season on the road at John Wood Community College for a four game set on February 19th and 20th.  "This is always a quality opponent to start our season and gauge where we are and what we need to do going forward" Coach Herren commented.  After John Wood C.C., the Golden Eagles will head south for their annual spring break trip.  They open up this road trip with a pit stop at North Arkansas College for a double header and then continue traveling south into Dallas, Texas.  They get to play quality opponents in Richland College, Eastfield College, and then wrap up the Dallas portion of the trip playing North Lake College for a single nine inning game before heading back by North Arkansas College for a nine inning contest to conclude the spring break trip!

"I like this group of guy's, probably one of the tightest group of young men that I have had the opportunity to coach", Herren commented.  "This group put the time needed in the weight room, the classroom, and did everything asked of them on the field".  The team is led by Ryan Wilwers on the mound and Steven Kleyheeg.  On the field Evan Tocmo has lead the team following a strong 2021 campaign and looking to carry his success over into the 2022 season.  Jimmy Fairley will once again bolster down a starting spot on the mound and will be a key factor along with incoming freshman Ryan Sell.  Others looking to make an impact is Matt Cusumano behind the dish, Tyler Horton and David Galassi getting much time at 3rd base.  Manning the middle will be Nikolas Clark, Brett Freiberg, and Nick Aide.  First base will be Seth Greve and Lucas Rick.  The outfield will again be a strong suit for the Golden Eagles. helping Tocmo out will be Payton Matthews, Tyler Bayless, and AJ Christoffer.  "This group has a chance do something special for Rock Valley College this spring both offensively and on the mound."

The ultimate goal is for the Golden Eagles to make a deep run into playoffs and try to make it to Greenville, Tennessee for the NJCAA DIII National Championships May 28th-June 2nd.  The Golden Eagles will have to get through a tough Region IV to make that happen. They are hoping their tough regular season schedule will prepare them for that. 

Original source can be found here.