LOVES PARK, Ill. – One of the most familiar faces on Rockford Rivets manager Brian Smith’s lineup card plans to return this summer.
The Rivets announced Friday that Lewis University junior Neal Tyrell will come back for the Northwoods League season, which is barely two months away. The utility infielder appeared in 55 of the Rivets’ 72 games last summer. Tyrell hit .242 with two home runs and 18 RBI in the Northwoods League in 2016.
“Neal may not be the prettiest or flashiest ballplayer on the team but he was one of the mainstays in our lineup last season,” Smith said. “It's always tough for a Division II kid to come in, surrounded by big-time Division I players, and make an immediate impact. Neal's impact came both on and off the field. He may go overlooked because of his unorthodox abilities but the kid can flat-out play. He doesn't care where he plays, as long as he gets to hit, he'll find a way to make that day memorable."
Tyrell played second base, third base and left field last year for the Rivets.
Tyrell is a two-time All-Great Lakes Valley Conference second team selection and has finished each college season with a batting average better than .300. Through the first 10 games of the Flyers’ 2017 season, he’s hitting .257 with no home runs and three RBI.
Tyrell, an accounting major from Minooka, was named an academic all-GLVC member last year and has been twice honored by his university for scholastic excellence.
The Rivets’ season begins May 30 at Kalamazoo. The home opener is at 6:35 p.m. June 2 against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. The Rivets are offering a $50 four-game pack that includes a replica Rivets jersey, tickets to four select games and all-you-can-eat food (burgers, brats, hot dogs, grilled chicken, popcorn and fountain soda) for the following dates: Friday, June 2; Saturday, June 24; Friday, July 14; Friday, July 28. The four-pack can be purchased only by calling the Rivets at 815.240.4159 or in person at the Rivets Stadium box office. There are a limited number of jerseys available, so don’t wait to order this four-pack.
The Rockford Rivets are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League, which will play its 24th season of summer collegiate baseball in 2017. The Northwoods 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, 160 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (Washington Nationals), two-time World Champion Ben Zobrist (Chicago Cubs) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (Boston Red Sox), Jordan Zimmermann (Detroit Tigers), Curtis Granderson (New York Mets) and Lucas Duda (Mets). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website, NorthwoodsLeague.com.
