KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Growlers announced their latest roster additions today, sophomores TJ Marik and Drake Herrman bring the 2016 roster to nine. Marik is a catcher at Austin Peay State University and Herrman is a pitcher at Pittsburg State University.
TJ Marik: 5’11”, 215 lb, C, (R/R), Sophomore, Austin Peay State
Marik is from Oak Forest, Illinois and attended St. Laurence High School. He batted .286 as a senior with 17 RBI in 27 games played and was named a 2014 Perfect Game Central Region Honorable Mention.
Highlights of Marik’s career at Austin Peay include piecing together a five-game hit streak, April 26-May 3 of 2015, batting .313 (5-for-16) with three RBI, a home run (at UT Martin, May 2) and three walks. That streak was part of a stretch where he had a hit in seven of eight games. TJ played in 29 contests his freshman year and started 14 at catcher while compiling a .235 batting average with two home runs and eight RBI.
Said Growlers field manager Matt Lawson, “He has leadership ability and throws really well… which are two of the most important attributes of his position.” Bolstering the Growlers roster with a solid defensive catcher will help the pitching staff and control of the game pace.
Drake Herrman: 6’1”, 200 lb, RHP, (R/R), Sophomore, Pittsburg State
Herrman is from Olathe, Kansas and attended Blue Valley Southwest High School, where he helped lead the team to a state runner up finish. At the conclusion of his senior season he posted a 6-2 record with 55 strikeouts and a 1.83 ERA in 51 innings of work. He has a very strong arm and pitches up to 94 MPH, a velocity that will be valuable in the Northwoods League this year. Herrman is currently throwing out of the bullpen at Pitt State and Lawson said he was impressed with Drake because he’s highly competitive, a hard worker, and will be durable over the long 72 game season.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 22-year old summer collegiate 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 140 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com.
