KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Growlers announced today the signing of two position players, both juniors. Kasey Cooper, an outfielder for the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and Richie Gorski, an infielder for Missouri Southern State will join the team for the 2016 season.
Kasey Cooper: 6'2" – 212lb, OF, Bats/R. Throws/R, Arkansas-Fort Smith (Jr.)
Cooper is a 6-2, 212 pound native of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. During his sophomore campaign, Cooper started in 48 of 49 appearances and had a batting average of .286, while tallying 10 doubles, four triples, seven home runs and a .518 slugging percentage. Cooper was also very sharp with his glove, compiling a .942 fielding percentage in the outfield.
Cooper was a 2013 graduate of Pea Ridge High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete. As a senior, he was an All-State, All-Region and All-Conference baseball selection along with being named the team MVP after batting .537. He also received the highly respected Heart Award, which recognizes leadership qualities both on and off the field. Cooper also was a two-time All-Conference selection and earned an All-State selection in basketball. In addition, Cooper graduated with honors and was a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Council.
Richie Gorski: 6'2" – 200lb, IF, Bats/R. Throws/R, MSSU (Jr.)
Gorski is a 6-2, 200 pound native of Streamwood, Illinois. Before coming to Missouri Southern, Gorski played two seasons at the University of Illinois, including redshirting his freshman season in 2013. In 2015, his sophomore season and first year as a part of Missouri Southern, Gorski started all 54 games at third base, and was a force, compiling a batting average of .354 and a .529 slugging percentage, as well as a .404 on base percentage. He also scored 48 runs, had 11 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and drove in 41 runs, while also placing second on the team with eight stolen bases. Playing the hot corner, Gorski added 28 putouts and 115 assists, and had a .935 fielding percentage.
Gorski is a 2012 graduate of Streamwood High School, where in his senior year, he had a .383 batting average, .432 on base percentage, and he totaled eight doubles, five triples and a home run. As a junior, Gorski posted a .405 batting average, seven doubles, two triples, five home runs, and drove in 36 runs while scoring 33. Gorski also pitched for Streamwood, and in his senior season, he recorded a 1.38 ERA in 45 innings pitched. Gorski only threw 18 1/3 innings as a junior in 2011, but had a solid ERA of 1.91.
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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.
