Waves’ Evan Dunn and Jayson Balades to join Bombers in 2015
Battle Creek, Mich. – The Battle Creek Bombers are proud to announce the signings of Evan Dunn and Jayson Balades, two pitchers from Pepperdine University.
RHP Evan Dunn (6’3”, 200, Junior, Bats: R/Throws: R)
Dunn made 16 relief appearances for the Waves in 2014, pitching 19 and one-third innings, striking out 16 batters, posting a 3.72 earned run average, and giving up only three extra base hits. He struck out a career-high four batters, while throwing two and two-thirds scoreless innings in Pepperdine’s 11-8 win over Utah Valley University on February 23, 2014. As a freshman, he did not allow a hit in three and two-thirds innings pitched.
“Evan should fit as a long-reliever this summer, but could see him starting depending on his development this spring,” Field Manager Robert Robinson said of the Las Vegas native. “I am really excited about his leadership qualities. He is always working hard and his teammates feed off that energy. I know he will bring that same work ethic to Battle Creek this summer.”
LHP Jayson Balades (5’10”, 175, Redshirt Sophomore, Bats: L/Throws: L)
As a sophomore in 2014, Balades made nine appearances in relief. He threw a total of eight and two-thirds innings for the Waves, finishing the season with a 2-0 record, three strikeouts, and a 5.19 earned run average. He pitched two scoreless innings in Pepperdine’s loss to Long Beach State on April 30, 2014. Prior to Pepperdine, Balades was a standout at Oxnard High School, posting a career 1.68 ERA and striking out 217 batters in 170 innings pitched.
“I expect Jayson to contend for a starting spot this summer,” Robinson said. “Pitching at a nationally-recognized program like Pepperdine is a high honor and I feel that both Jayson and Evan will be able to transition to a successful Northwoods League season.”
With Dunn and Balades coming out of the bullpen, Pepperdine finished the 2014 season with a 43-18 record, a West Coast Conference Championship, and an appearance in the NCAA Super Regionals. After ending last season ranked No. 12 in multiple polls, the Waves start their 2015 campaign in the “Others Receiving Votes” category of three different preseason polls.
Balades, Dunn, and the rest of the Bombers start their summer season at C.O Brown Stadium on May 26th, opening day of the Northwoods League season, when the Bombers host the defending NWL Champion Lakeshore Chinooks. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tickets, Mini-Plan information, and Group Outings are now available by calling the front office at (269)-962-0735 or by emailing info@battlecreekbombers.com
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The Battle Creek Bombers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.battlecreekbombers.com.
