Pair of Louisiana Arms Returning to Bombers

Cartwright and Mitchell set to Pitch in Battle Creek for the Second Straight Season

Battle Creek, Mich. – The Battle Creek Bombers recruiting trail, presented by OnStaff USA, is heating up.  Two standout pitchers from Louisiana, Alden Cartwright and Andrew Mitchell, have been signed and will be returning to the Battle Creek Bombers for the 2015 season.  Cartwright and Mitchell were standout talents for Battle Creek last year, as both scored an invitation to the annual Northwoods League Big League Dreams Showcase. 

RHP Alden Cartwright (6’0”, 190, Sophomore, LSU, Bats: R/Throws: R)

Cartwright made nine relief appearances in Battle Creek last year, posting a 2.93 earned run average, two saves, 14 strikeouts, and just two walks in 15 1/3 innings pitched. He recorded a season-high four strikeouts in a six-out save at Madison on July 5. At home, on July 26, he sealed a 3-0 shutout of the Wisconsin Woodchucks with a spotless ninth inning.

At LSU, Cartwright pitched 33 2/3 innings, posting a 2.41 ERA, striking out 25 batters during a solid freshman campaign. He never gave up more than two earned runs in any of his 21 appearances (seven starts). Cartwright started the SEC Championship game against Florida, dealing four scoreless innings as LSU won 2-0. Cartwright also saw time in the NCAA Tournament, pitching against Houston in the Baton Rouge Regional.

“On the mound, Alden is going to throw strikes and compete,” Head Coach Robert Robinson said of the LSU pitcher. “Even when he isn’t on the mound, he will contribute to our success in a big way. Last season, he was always engaged in what was happening on the field. On a daily basis, he brought great energy to the ballpark whether he was pitching or not. I think both him and Andrew will be the template for our new guys to look at when it comes to dealing with the daily grind of a Northwoods League season.”

LHP Andrew Mitchell (6’1”, 195, Redshirt Freshman, Delgado Community College, Bats: L/Throws: L)

Last season, as a member of the Bombers, Mitchell pitched in 16 games, including seven as a starter. The Louisiana-native threw 46 and 2/3 innings piling up 49 strikeouts, while giving up 39 hits and posting a 5.01 ERA. Mitchell’s first appearance in the Northwoods League came on opening day of the 2014 season (May 27). With the bases loaded and two outs, he forced Green Bay’s Dan Sabin to groundout to second base, clinching a wild 10-9 Battle Creek victory.

After redshirting during his freshman season at LSU, Mitchell transferred to Delgado Community College in New Orleans for the 2015 season. So far this spring for the Dolphins, he’s pitched in two games as a starter including a four-inning outing in which he struck out six and gave up only one run en route to recording his first collegiate win (a 4-2 Delgado victory).

“Having both Andrew and Alden back in Battle Creek will be so important for our new players,” Robertson said. “Last season, Andrew was a guy that others revolved around and he was always pushing his teammates to do the right thing on and off the field. As a pitcher, he does a great job of going after hitters. I am happy to have him back for his mentality both on and off the mound.”

Watch these two returning Bombers pitch this season at C.O. Brown Stadium. Battle Creek opens their season on May 26th when they host the defending Northwoods League 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

The OnStaff Group has proven their ability to provide their clients with the best services and candidates possible.  From Fortune 500 companies to small businesses, from CEOs to entry level positions, their team currently serves more than 150 clients. OnStaff Group’s three specialized divisions provide a comprehensive selection of human resource services, customizable to their clients’ specific requirements. Regardless of the division, OnStaff Group’s guiding principles are integrity, dedication and partnership.  As a result, not only have they become the largest human resource services firm in Southwest Michigan but have also maintained an exceptionally experienced, stable staff.  Collectively, their team brings clients the benefit of over 168 years of expertise from a vast variety of organizations and industries.

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.