NORTHWOODS LEAGUE ANNOUNCES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 15, 2009

Waterloo Native Ott Back at Home with Bucks

(WATERLOO, IA) The Waterloo Bucks Baseball Club announced the re-signing of University of Northern Iowa pitcher Derek Ott. Ott, a 6’2″, 195-pound junior, is the first Panther named to the Bucks roster for the 15th season of play. 

A native of Waterloo and an East High graduate, Ott will play his second season with the Bucks in 2009. In 2008, Ott recorded a 2-5 record with a 3.51 ERA, 24 strikeouts, and one complete game in 51.1 innings pitched.

Waterloo field manager Pete Lauritson is pleased with Ott’s return.

“Derek is a great leader and a tough competitor that will play a big role in our success this summer,” said Lauritson. “Last year he showed he had a nice delivery and could top 90 mph with his fastball and I look for him to be even better this year.”

This spring Ott is 2-3 with a 4.60 ERA in eight starts for the Panthers.

Ott played two seasons at Kirkwood Community College prior to transferring to UNI. At Waterloo East High School, the right-handed Ott was a first team All-Conference and All-Metro Pick in 2003, 2004, and 2005, and he earned a place on the All-State first team in 2005.

Bucks Sign Second Hawkeye

The Bucks announced that University of Iowa red shirt freshman Phil Keppler has also signed with the team for 2009. The 6’4″, 185-pound, outfielder becomes the second Hawkeye named to the Waterloo roster joining pitcher Patrick Schatz.

A 2007 graduate of West Delaware High School, the Manchester, IA native batted for a .490 average with 13 RBI in his senior season. On the mound that year, Keppler recorded a 5-0 record with a 0.86 ERA. Over his high school career, Keppler was named first team All-Conference his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons and was a two-time first team All-District and All-State selection.

In his first year of game action for the Hawkeye’s Keppler is proving to be a key contributor. In 20 games (10 starts) he is hitting .302 with three doubles and 10 RBI.

“Keppler is the second Hawkeye we signed this season and I am very excited about the relationship we started with the University of Iowa,” said Lauritson. “He is the type of player that will thrive in summer ball and I look forward to coaching him this season.”