Mequon, WI – The Lakeshore Chinooks will continue a strong relationship with Big Ten members Michigan State and Purdue, as each will send players to experience the 2016 summer at Kapco Park. Royce Ando and Chad Roskelly will follow in the footsteps of Spartan alums like Ryan Krill, while Boilermaker Alec Olund hopes to find the same success with the Chinooks as college teammate, Kyle Wood.
Royce Ando, a talented freshman infielder from Mississauga, Ontario is off to a flying start for the Spartans as he took hold of the shortstop position in East Lansing on the first day of the season. Ranked as the No. 1 high school shortstop in Canada, the 5’11 right-handing hitting Ando was a three-year member of the Canadian Junior National Team and represented Canada at the 2015 18U World Cup in Osaka, Japan. Those international experiences have paid off as Ando has started all 21 games for the Spartans this season and is hitting .270, with three triples and two doubles, and has knocked in eight runs. Ando has been a key contributor in MSU’s 18-3 start.
Chad Roskelly will bring a wealth of talent and experience behind the plate to Coach Eddy Morgan’s defense as the All-Big Ten Freshman honoree in 2015 was also voted the MSU Danny Litwhiler Defensive Player of the Year, as well as MSU’s Steve Garvey Most Improved Player, after redshirting his freshman year in 2014. The Macomb, MI native made 49 starts behind the plate, throwing out twelve runners and picking off another four, while also hitting .276 with 30 RBI. A true dual-threat player who excelled as a high school hockey player, Roskelly will work closely with Chinook pitchers. Though slowed by an injury to begin the 2016, the Spartans are anticipating a big season for Roskelly who has been working his way back by contributing as a DH, hitting .346 with five doubles and six RBI.
Alec Olund, a 6-2 sophomore from Crown Point, IN, started 23 games at all three spots in the Purdue outfield as a freshman in 2015, including 13 starts in Big Ten play. The recipient of Purdue’s Mr. Boilermaker award for best attitude, Olund impressed the Purdue coaches with his hustle and knowledge of the game as he hit .231, but posted a .300 on-base percentage and hit three home runs. This season, Olund claimed the starting position in right-field and is expected to bring a winning attitude derived from an outstanding career at nationally-ranked Lake Central High School. Hitting .273 with five RBI, Olund has started in 19 of Purdue’s 21 games.
You can catch your first glimpse of the 2016 Chinooks roster on Saturday, June 4th when Lakeshore takes on the Green Bay Bullfrogs at 6:35pm. Season tickets, mini game packages, and group tickets are all currently on sale. Single game tickets go on sale to the public Tuesday, May 3rd at 10:00am. For tickets and more information, call 262-618-4659 or visit lakeshorechinooks.com.
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 (KC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com.
