Pitcher Dave Geiger and third baseman Dillon Powell compete against players on 83 teams to make prestigious list.
Dave Geiger
Dave Geiger and Dillon Powell, two standouts in Blue Knights baseball at Dakota County Technical College, were named 2008 NJCAA Division III Pre-Season All-Americans. Geiger, a 6-foot-4-inch, 195-pound pitcher, and Powell, a 6-foot, 195-pound third baseman, outfielder and pitcher, were two of only six Region 13 players to make the nationwide list.
The National Junior College Athletic Association, or NJCAA, has 83 member squads in Division III baseball from 12 regions across the United States. Region 13 contains 16 teams, including the Blue Knights.
Head Coach Tim Huber was pleased with the announcement, noting that Geiger and Powell are dependable, high-performance athletes on a team with tremendous potential.
As a freshman last season, Geiger started nine games for the Blue Knights and finished with a record of 6-3 with a 1.85 ERA and 63 strikeouts. He allowed only 15 earned runs in 56 2/3 innings.
“Dave has a very good arm and will lead a very good pitching staff this spring,” Huber said. “He spots his pitches very well and really competes when he is on the mound. His velocity has gotten more consistent in the mid to upper 80s. I think there is a good chance he could be throwing in the low 90s at some point this spring.”
Powell batted .348 as a freshman, knocking in 37 runs with 10 doubles and five home runs, leading the team in the latter three categories. He also made 11 appearances as a pitcher, starting three games and finishing with a record of 3-1.
Dillon Powell
“Dillon Powell is an excellent athlete with a great arm,” Huber said. “He played mostly right field for us last spring and may see a little time in the outfield this year as well. He will start the year at third base along with giving us some innings on the mound. We will count on him to hit in the middle of the order for us this spring.”
The Blue Knights kick off their 2008 schedule with a spring trip to Florida. The team’s first game is against the London Badgers on March 10 in Orlando. Home games are played at Alimagnet Park, a 178-acre community park in Burnsville. Winter and early spring practice sessions are held in the Irish Sports Dome, a premier indoor facility in Rosemount.
Head Coach Tim Huber enters his fourth year managing the team, coming off a school record 25-win season and three straight appearances in the Minnesota Community College Conference State Tournament. Huber’s assistant coaches include pitching coach, Randy Briesacher, who’s also an associate scout with the Atlanta Braves, hitting and outfield coach Jake Swartout, and volunteer assistant coach, Garrett Retka.
