Leatherneck Lefty Joins Bucks Pitching Staff
Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks have announced that left-handed pitcher Preston Church has signed to play with the team for the 2015 season. Church, 6a sophomore at Western Illinois University, is the 17th player to be named to Waterloo’s roster for the squad’s 21st season.
Last summer, Church played for the Quincy Gems of the Prospect League where he finished with a 2-2 record and a 2.58 ERA. The 6’3”, 205-pounder struck out 40 in 55.2 innings pitched.
“Preston is an Iowa kid who will bring a commanding presence to the mound for us this summer,” said Bucks general manager Dan Corbin. “We could see him either in the bullpen or in the starting rotation for us, but expect big things out of the southpaw.”
This season for the Leathernecks, Church has started one game, striking out four in four innings. The Ogden, Iowa native owns a 0-1 record with an 11.25 ERA. Last season, Church made 15 appearances, finishing with 29 strikeouts in 28.1 innings pitched.
Born March 31, 1995, Church attended Ogden High School where he was named first team All-State, All-District, and All-Conference his senior year, striking out 137 in 62.2 innings and finishing with a 0.90 ERA. Preston is the son of Scott and Gina Church.
The Bucks, the winningest team in all of summer-collegiate baseball over the past two years, will open the 2015 season on the road versus the Alexandria Blue Anchors on May 26, but return to Waterloo for their home opener versus the Mankato MoonDogs on May 28. Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.
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The Waterloo Bucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, 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 Website. For more information, visit www.waterloobucks.com.