Demetre Kokoris will also return as Hairgrove’s Coach
(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers Baseball Club announced today that Trevor Hairgrove, their Field Manager from 2015 will return for his second season in 2016. The undergraduate assistant from the University of California Riverside is also bringing back Demetre Kokoris (Ko’-Kor-es) who served as his pitching coach in 2015. This will be the first time since 2006 that the team had a field manager return for a second consecutive season.
“I am excited and privileged to return for my second season as the field manager for the Honkers,” said Hairgrove. “My first season was a blast, and enjoyed working with the front office whose main goal for me is to bring a championship to Rochester! Asking for anything less is just asking for failure!”
Hairgrove led the Honkers to a 39-33 overall record and the team’s first post-season appearance since 2010. The team came up short in the first half of the North Division, coming in second place and then played consistent ball in the second half, coming in 4th. The team qualified for the post season as a wild card and was knocked out by the eventual North Division Champions, the St. Cloud Rox.
“We made a good run at it,” added Hairgrove. “Demetre and I learned a lot, along with our players, which is just one of our goals. I can’t wait to take that knowledge into the 2016 season!”
Under his tutelage, Hairgrove produced the team’s only Mid-Season All-Star in right-handed pitcher Jayson Yano (Stevens Institute), but sent Designated Hitter, Joe DeRoche-Duffin (UCONN) for the Home Run Challenge. Duffin took home the individual crown leading all participants with eight homeruns. Yano and Duffin were also honored as NWL Post –Season All-Stars. Two more Honkers gained post season honors in the form of the Rawlings Finest in the Field” Award. Third baseman William Paschal (Georgia Gwinnett) and Outfielder Cole Krzmarzick (Nevada) were selected based on their final fielding statistics as tops at their position league wide.
Hairgrove played his entire collegiate career at UC Riverside where he was the team’s starting shortstop all four years, starting the fourth most career games in UC Riverside history. After his senior season of 2011, Hairgrove was drafted in the 18th round by the Los Angeles Angels on Anaheim. Hairgrove spent the next three years moving his way up from Rookie Ball with the Orem Owlz to the Angels AA Affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers. In 2012 he became a utility player for the Cedar Rapids Kernals, making at least one start at every position except centerfield and catcher.
“The NWL is the closest professional experience a college ballplayer can get,” added Hairgrove. "I expect these boys to play hard every day, and to not only play for themselves but for the city of Rochester. With my experience at the professional level these young men will be taught what is expected of them at the next level and what they need to do to reach that level and become winners on and off the field."
Hairgrove is the second UC Riverside coach to lead the team. Rusty McNamara led the Honkers to their 5th NWL Championship in 2009 and was named the NWL Manager of the Year.
Demetre Kokoris is currently the new pitching coach at Santa Barbara City College under head coach Jeff Walker who once played for the Brainerd Mighty Gulls in 1998.
“We are very excited to have Demetre to lead our pitching staff,” said Walker. “His baseball background and track record of developing pitchers is second to none, and is a great addition to Vaquero Baseball!”
“I am excited about returning to Rochester for the 2016 season,” said Demetre. “Last year we had an outstanding group of young men, but this year, we look to have a whole different group of outstanding young men who will build on the success of last season.” Demetre added, “Under the leadership of Trevor, these men are in for a summer of growth and development that will get them closer to achieving their dreams of playing professional baseball. “
Demetre was previously the Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore. from 2012-2015. Prior to that, Demetre was the Head Coach of the Central Oregon Bucks of the West Coast Summer Collegiate League from 2011-2012.
“I am excited that Demetre is returning to lead this year’s pitching staff,” said Hairgrove. “The work he does with the pitching staff is very valuable, and the kids respond to him, making our staff one of the best in the league last year. I expect our success to continue this coming summer!”
Kokoris pursued his MBA at Cal State Fullerton and served as their Facilities Manager for Titan Baseball, as they reached the College World Series in 2007. He followed Coach George Horton from Fullerton to the University of Oregon to be an Administrative Assistant with Duck Baseball from 2010 -2011. His time was spent with the pitching staff and assisting Duck Baseball Camps.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina in 2006, Kokoris earned his BS in Sport & Entertainment Management. He served as a student-manager for Gamecock Baseball, reaching a Regional in 2005 & Super Regional in 2006.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 22-year old summer collegiate 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 140 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), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (KC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com.
