BATTLE CREEK, MI– Battle Creek is welcoming two new faces to the Bomber’s lineup. Brandon Van Horn (IF) and David Richards III (OF) will be making their debut with the Bombers this summer.
Brandon Van Horn, a junior, is currently playing baseball at Dallas Baptist after transferring from Riverside Community College (CA). At Riverside, Brandon saw action in 81 games in two years. This past summer the Tujunga, CA native played for the Southern California Catch where he hit .279 and had a .417 OBP in 35 games. His father is long time USC and Cal State Northridge coach, Phil Van Horn.
Coach Trivett says, “Brandon will bring a passion, work ethic, experience, and consistency to the park day in and day out. His intangibles will make everyone around him better, on and off the field.” Brandon added about his upcoming summer in Battle Creek, “Playing in Battle Creek this summer is an unbelievable opportunity to prepare physically and mentally for the next level. I am looking forward to competing against college baseball’s best. I’m very grateful for this opportunity.”
The Bombers are also welcoming David Richards III, a junior from Savannah State University. After starting his career at Darton State, he now is one of the leading offensive tools in the Savannah State lineup. In 2013, he batted .301 in his 43 appearances. Richards has an outstanding off the field résumé as well, including a 3.4 GPA as a Civil Engineering Major. David is also team captain, a member of International Honor Society, serves on the Board of Student Government, and is actively involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Coach Trivett is impressed with Richards on multiple levels, adding “With how impressive David is on the offensive side, what impresses me the most is that in 3 years of college ball he has only committed 2 errors. Needless to say I am confident when the ball heads his way. David is a model of what our organization in Battle Creek is all about.”
Richards is grateful for his opportunity this summer in Battle Creek adding, “I first of all want to thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to play for Battle Creek this summer. Summer ball will allow me to enhance my game and will be a great experience for me.”
Catch Brandon and David in action when Battle Creek Bombers baseball returns to C.O. Brown Stadium May 29th at 7:05pm with gates opening at 6:05.
The Battle Creek Bombers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st 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 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.battlecreekbombers.com
