One of four team captains.
Coach Ziegler says: “John is one of the four captains for us and the other half of our two left-handed pitchers. John brings an enormous amount of talent to our program. He's coming off of a super amateur summer baseball season. He's made some strides with velocity and locating his pitches. As of right now, he's entering the 2003 season healthy, which he has not done since he had his elbow surgery in High School. We think that John is close to having a break out year for us.”
2002: Had 2-3 record in seven outings, making four starts ... Opened season with a 9-inning complete game 1-0 win over Stonehill College (3-13-02) ... Struck-out a season-high five batters in that game ... Fourth on the squad in innings pitched (23.1) ... Had 1.29 ERA through first 14 innings of work.
2001: Had 3-0 record in seven outings, five in relief ... Had impressive 23-9 strikeout to walk ratio in 23.2 innings pitched ... Only four of 25 hits allowed went for extra bases ... Did not allow an earned run in his first six outings, a span of 16.2 innings.
2000: Made four appearances, all in relief ... Recorded one save (April 24 at Minnesota-Crookston), striking out four batters in two innings while allowing just one hit, no walks and no runs.
1999: Redshirted.
High School: 1998 graduate of Bloomington Jefferson High School ... Lettered three years in baseball, two in basketball and one year in football ... Earned All-Lake Conference honors twice and was named second team all-state as senior.
Personal: Born 8-20-79 ... Son of Dennis and Jean Shonka ... Majoring in marketing and minoring in mass communications.
