Baseball
Madison dynasty continues with eighth straight Region 4 championship
June 09, 2026
MADISON, WISC. - Madison College's run of dominance over the Region 4 Division II Tournament continued for yet another year in 2026 with the program's eight straight championship. The top-seeded WolfPack extended their impressive run with a 10-4 victory over #7-seed Bryant & Stratton College in the title game to claim their 14th title since 2010. Mike Davenport was awarded the Coach of the Year for the 14th time with Madison College.
Oakton defends Region 4 crown, makes repeat trip to NJCAA Div. III World Series
June 09, 2026
JOLIET, ILL. - Oakton College made it back-to-back Region 4 Division III Tournament titles after a wild three days of baseball that culminated in a 9-8 victory for the #3-seeded Owls over #4-seeded Waubonsee Community College. The championship marks the sixth region banner in the last eight years for Oakton. Bill Fratto was named Region 4 Coach of the Year.
South Suburban snaps two-year drought with Region 4 championship
June 03, 2026
SOUTH HOLLAND, ILL. - South Suburban College ended a two-year hiatus atop the region as they claimed the 2026 Region 4 Division I Baseball Tournament championship for the first time since ending a three-peat in 2023. The top-seeded Bulldogs put up historic offensive numbers, culminating in a 22-6 victory over #3-seed Olive-Harvey College in the title game for the program's 16th Region 4 banner overall. Steve Ruzich was named Region 4 Coach of the Year for the 15th time.
Madison's Davenport, Kalinowski earning local honors for years of service
January 29, 2026
A pair of Madison College coaches are being recognized for their years of service and success, as well as one former coach and one former student-athlete. WolfPack baseball coach Mike Davenport has been announced as part of an upcoming Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Assocation (WBCA) Hall of Fame Class of 2026, while former baseball coach and current head softball coach Leo Kalinowski was recently presented the Gus Burwell Distinguished Service Award by the Madison Dugout Club. Additionally, former Madison College women's basketball coach Steven Bentin and former men's basketball player Eric Nelson are among a group of 30 to be inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Assocation (WBCA) Hall of Fame.
Region 4 Hall of Fame welcomes seven-member Class of 2026 for induction
January 13, 2026
The NJCAA Region 4 Hall of Fame is pleased to announce a seven-member induction Class of 2026. The group includes four student-athletes and three lifetime achievement recipients that all excelled during their time competing in or representing Region 4. The inductees represent six different Region 4 schools, including two inductees from Oakton College and one each from Waubonsee Community College, South Suburban College, Madison College, Harry S. Truman College, and Harper College.
South Suburban College’s Steve Ruzich Inducted into ABCA Hall of Fame
January 06, 2026
South Holland, IL – South Suburban College (SSC) is proud to announce that longtime Head Baseball Coach Steve Ruzich will be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame on Friday, January 9, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. This is the highest honor bestowed by the ABCA. This distinguished recognition places Ruzich among the most elite coaches in collegiate baseball history.
Madison's Gary "Big Dog" Breneman: In His Words
August 12, 2025
Gary Breneman was the center of attention during the 2024-25 athletic season at Madison College, and rightfully so, as "Big Dog" completed his 50th year on campus. The year included several celebrations, the renaming of the Big Dog Concessions, the introduction of an two annual Big Dog scholarships, and the unveiling of a new Big Dog Aces & Deuces scoreboard. Big Dog was also mic'd up for a basketball and baseball doubleheader, as well as sat down in front of the camera to reflect on his time. This is Big Dog: In His Words.
94 Region 4 Spring Student-Athletes earn NJCAA All-American honors
June 09, 2025
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has released its list of All-Americans for the 2024-25 spring sports season, and 94 student-athletes representing Region 4 were recognized. The group includes 66 from men's and women's track & field, ten in women's golf, seven from baseball, six in softball, three from men's golf, and two in men's tennis. There are 35 first team recipients, 31 second team honorees, four third team selections, and 22 honorable mention distinctions. The student-athletes represent 13 Region 4 institutions.
Region 4 Announces Spring 2025 All-Region Teams
June 04, 2025
The NJCAA Region 4 has announced the numerous recipients of All-Region accolades for student-athletes competing in the Spring 2025 season, including those voted Region 4 Player or Athlete of the Year in their respective sport and division.
Region 4 championship for Madison breaks NJCAA record
June 03, 2025
MADISON, WISC. & ENID, OKLA. - Ten years after setting a NJCAA record with its sixth consecutive appearance at the Division II World Series, Madison College broke their own record with a Region 4 Tournament title that sends them to their seventh straight trip to the national tournament. The top-seeded WolfPack closed out their 13th region championship since 2010 with a 10-5 victory over #2-seed Kankakee Community College on May 17. Sophomore centerfielder Marcelino Edison Alonso was named the Region 4 Tournament MVP, while Pack coach Mike Davenport collected yet another Region 4 Coach of the Year award.
Oakton avenges earlier loss with sweep of Joliet to win Region 4 title
May 28, 2025
JOLIET, ILL. - Oakton College, which won four straight region championships from 2018 to 2022, returned to the top with a sweep of Joliet Junior College to iwn the 2025 NJCAA Region 4 Division III Baseball Tournament. Oakton's Owen Jenkins was named the Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player, while Bill Fratto earned Region 4 Coach of the Year.
McHenry County takes winner-take-all over South Suburban for repeat championship
May 27, 2025
CRYSTAL LAKE, ILL. - The NJCAA Region 4 Division I Baseball Tournament came down to a winner-take-all game on May 9, and #2-seed McHenry County College claimed a repeat championship with a road win over top-seed and host South Suburban College by a 19-6 final. The Scots Caden Guenther was named Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player, while Jared Wacker of MCC earned Region 4 Coach of the Year.
Region 4 Hall of Fame welcomes nine-member Class of 2025 for induction
January 15, 2025
The NJCAA Region 4 Hall of Fame is pleased to announce a nine-member induction Class of 2025. The group includes eight student-athletes, one of which is also recognized for lifetime achievement, and one national championship team that all excelled during their time competing in Region 4. The inductees represent five different Region 4 schools, including three inductees from Madison College, two each from Joliet Junior College and Oakton College, and one from the College of DuPage.
Tales of inspiration, success found on campus at Bryant & Stratton
August 02, 2024
A walk around the athletics department of Bryant & Stratton College will likely produce some tremendously inspiring examples of people overcoming adversity and striving for success. The following are two stories shared by the Bobcats about Jordan Bierdemann fight with cancer and Caitlyn Coffey's recognition for outstanding achievements.
Region 4 trio helps Team USA win silver in Netherlands
July 30, 2024
HAARLEM, NETHERLANDS - A team comprised of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) players and coaches represented Team USA at Baseball Week Haarlem from July 12-19. Morton College's Miguel Cantu joined Madison College's Eli Hoyt and Mike Davenport to represent the red, white, and blue in international competition, and the team came away with a silver medal after falling 10-4 to Japan in the title game.
DuPage's Milatovic earns NJCAA Div. III Defensive Player of the Year
July 10, 2024
College of DuPage catcher Filip Milatovic has been named the 2024 NJCAA Division III Baseball Defensive Player of the Year. Milatovic is the second straight catcher to win DIII Defensive Player of the Year. The NJCAA Division III Baseball Second-Team All-American finished the season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage behind the plate. Milatovic was named a 2023 Gold Glove Award winner last week as the top defensive catcher. The sophomore finished with 233 putouts and 11 assists.