Battle Creek, Mich. – Former Bombers starting pitcher Alex Hermeling (Los Angeles Dodgers) has been named the Northwoods League pitcher of the year.
In nine appearances this year (eight starts) before signing a professional contract with the Dodgers, Hermeling allowed just seven earned runs and 33 hits in 53 2-3 innings. He struck out 52 and walked just 12, while posting a Northwoods-League best 1.17 ERA (among qualified pitchers). The Bombers ace struck out 17 batters before allowing his first walk this summer (21 2-3 innings pitched). His four complete games were also tops in the league and included a stretch of three complete games in a row (May 31, June 6, and June 14). In the Northwoods League All-Star Game, the right-hander tossed eight pitches, all strikes, while recording three quick outs against the North All-Stars. Hermeling is currently with the Dodgers’ Rookie-level affiliate in the Arizona League.
Hermeling was one of 30 Northwoods League named to the 2015 postseason all-star team as voted by the League’s coaches and members of the media.
2015 Northwoods League Postseason All-Stars
La Crosse Loggers shortstop Mason McCoy (Illinois Central) caps off a record-breaking season in the Northwoods League with the MVP award. McCoy, a sophomore, was also a mid-season All-Star. McCoy is currently first in the league in batting average (.369), first in hits (111), and first in runs scored (79). McCoy’s 111 hits and 79 runs scored are Northwoods League records for a season. McCoy is a native of Washington, Illinois.
Kenosha’s second-year manager Duffy Dyer is the 2015 Manager of the Year after leading the Kingfish to a tie for the best record in the league. Kenosha is currently tied with St. Cloud with an overall record of 48-23. Dyer’s assistant coach Stephen Huff earned the award for 2015 Coach of the Year in the Northwoods League.
John Pappadopolous of the La Crosse Loggers, Max Baker of the St. Cloud Rox and Shawn Murnin of the Mankato MoonDogs, were recognized by their peers as Co-Play-by-Play Announcers of the Year.
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.
(Feature story photo courtesy of Battle Creek Photography and Design – Levi Green)
