Battle Creek, Mich. – Bombers first baseman Dre Gleason (Austin Peay) was named the Northwoods League Hitter of the Night yesterday after a 3-for-4 performance. 

In the second inning, the rising junior from Austin Peay launched a three-run home run over the center field wall to give the Bombers an 3-1 lead. He went on to record two more singles and knock in another run for Battle Creek in an 11-5 loss to the La Crosse Loggers. 

After struggling in the first half, Gleason has returned to his usual form in July. In 10 games, Gleason is hitting .307 with a double, a home run, eight RBIs, and four runs scored. 

Gleason also made a stellar defensive play in the game, sliding to his right to field a sharp groundball and then throwing to pitcher Min Hsia (Taiwan) to retire the Loggers in the bottom of the second inning. 

Gleason looks to continue his hot hitting tonight when the Bombers host the Wisconsin Woodchucks. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at C.O. Brown Stadium. 

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). For more information, visit www.battlecreekbombers.com.

(Story photo courtesy of Battle Creek Photography and Design – Levi Green)