Right-handed pitchers Zack Helsel and Tim Nelson

 

Battle Creek, Mich. – The Battle Creek Bombers and the OnStaff Group announce the signing of two right-handed pitchers; freshman Zack Helsel from Liberty University and sophomore Tim Nelson out of UC San Diego.

 

Zack Helsel, 6’1”, 195 lbs., RHP, B/T: R/R, Liberty University (Fr.), Altoona, Pa.

Helsel, a native of Altoona, Pa., attended Altoona Area High School. While at Altoona Area, Helsel was named to the All-Altoona Mirror first team and was a Central Penn League All-Star as a senior. The right-hander posted a 1.07 ERA in 23.2 innings pitched in his senior campaign. A 2015 Ron Fiocetta Scholarship Award winner, Helsel also pitched for USA Elite and allowed only three runs the entire 2014 summer.

"I'm looking forward to having Zack with us this summer. He is the brother of Bombers alumnus, Christian Helsel,” said Bombers field manager Brian Solemsaas. “Zack is a right-handed pitcher that will add depth to our bullpen. He had a good summer last year in the Valley League and I think he can do the same in the Northwoods League." 

 

 

Tim Nelson, 5’10”, 170 lbs., RHP, B/T: R/R, University of California San Diego (So.), Chino Hills, Calif.

Nelson is in his second season with University of California San Diego after a very successful freshman season. Last year with the Tritons, Nelson went 7-2 in a team-leading 24 appearances out of the bullpen. The right-hander also carried a 4.29 ERA and earned all-CCAA honorable mention. This season, Nelson has appeared in 2.2 innings allowing six runs on nine hits.

"Tim is another bullpen arm that can eat up innings for us this summer. He was a semifinalist for the Brett Tomko award for the top D2 relief pitcher as a freshman. I'm excited to see what he can do and what his role for us will be," said Solemsaas.

 

 

 

 

 

Fans can guarantee tickets to the team’s top weekend dates of the season by locking in the Bombers 5-Game Pack. Five-Game Packs are $59 and include the best seats at the team’s five best games with all-you-can-eat food and beverages and guaranteed giveaways. Fans can buy online by going to http://northwoodsleague.com/battle-creek-bombers/tickets/5-game-packs/. Fans can also call the team’s front office at (269) 962-0735 or by email tickets@battlecreekbombers.com. 

This recruiting update is presented by OnStaff Group. OnStaff Group is the largest human resource services firm in Southwest Michigan, maintaining an exceptionally experienced and stable staff. Learn how your company can benefit from over 168 years of expertise from a vast variety of organizations and industries today.

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The Battle Creek Bombers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 23-year-old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 160 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.battlecreekbombers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Bombers as your favorite team.