Chinooks Sign Three More Returning Players
The Lakeshore Chinooks have signed three more returning players to join Kyle Bouman (LSU), Ryan Krill (Michigan St.), and Sawyer Polen (Kent St.) for the 2014 season. Joe Pavlovich (UW-Oshkosh), Brant Valach (Eastern Ill.) and Jake Tuttle (UW-Milwaukee) will return to bolster the team in its third season and its attempt to return to the Northwoods League Playoffs.
Joe Pavlovich, a 6’1 right-handed pitcher recorded a 2-0 record and 1.76 ERA in six appearances after joining the squad midway through the 2013 season. The Denmark, WI product earned a return trip to Lakeshore after impressive starts late in the season. Pavlovich will pitch as a sophomore this year for the Oshkosh Titans in the competitive WIAC conference.
Brant Valach had a productive 2013 season cut short by a nasty finger injury in July. Valach hit .261 with 12 doubles, 2 home runs, and 24 RBI’s in 36 games and will return to the team after his junior season with Eastern Illinois, where he enters the year with a .323 career batting average. The rugged third baseman has started 104 out of 105 games in his first two seasons at EIU. Valach was named the 2012 OVC Rookie of the Year and was named a Freshman All-American by Louisville Slugger. In 2013, Brant was selected to the All-OVC 2nd team and brings an outgoing and friendly demeanor to the squad.
Jake Tuttle impressed Coach Eddy Morgan with a live left arm as he was added to the pitching staff during the team’s run to the playoffs. The 6’3 Tuttle gave up one run in 6.2 innings, recording a 1-0 record and 0.00 ERA with three strikeouts. Tuttle, a native of Mukwanago, WI, will be a key contributor in the Milwaukee Panthers push to win the Horizon League as he builds on his 2-1 freshman season with a 1.64 ERA in 22 innings.
With six players returning, Lakeshore has quickly established a reputation as a popular summer experience for top college players! You can see all six Chinooks veterans make their return to Kapco Park for the home opener on May 29th @ 6:35pm against the Mankato Moondogs in interleague action. The first 1,500 fans through the gates on opening day will receive a 2014 schedule magnet and a Bob Uecker bobblehead! Group and season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 262-618-4659. Don’t forget to also mark your calendars for July 22nd as the Lakeshore Chinooks will host the 2014 Northwoods League All-Star Game at Kapco Park. The day will consist of a fan fest, home run derby, and finally the all-star game itself! Tickets for the NWL All-Star Game will be available March 3rd!
The Lakeshore Chinooks 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.lakeshorechinooks.com.