Mequon, WI – Last season, Marshall Kasowski became the first Houston Cougar to journey north to play for the Lakeshore Chinooks and after his stellar season on the mound, went back and told his coaching staff about his incredible experience. The result is that three of his teammates from a UH program that has posted consecutive 40-win seasons will follow in his footsteps for 2016. Sophomores Connor Hollis and Zac Taylor will join UH freshman Nolan Bond in Mequon at the conclusion of what could be a very promising NCAA season for the Cougars.
Connor Hollis is a 5’10 redshirt sophomore third baseman from Arlington, TX who made an impact as a freshman in 2014 when he started 29 games and hit .321, including 12 multi-hit games and seven hits during the NCAA postseason. After being selected to the Third Team All-American Conference, Hollis made two appearances in 2015, before suffering a season-ending injury. Also a multi-year academic honoree, Hollis is back to being a regular in the 2016 Cougar line-up and will add depth to a talented Lakeshore infield. Hollis has been steady this season. In 26 starts he’s hitting .269 with a slugging percentage of .359, including two triples and three doubles, and an on-base average of .387
Zac Taylor, a native of Downers Grove, IL, brings more speed to Eddy Morgan’s outfield and will be a constant base stealing threat on the fast turf of Kapco Park. Taylor hit .266 in 37 starts as a freshman in 2015 and was second on the team with 13 (of 15) stolen bases. Also an academic honoree, Taylor is stealing bases once again in 2016. Despite some struggles at the plate, he has already converted on a team-high 12 of 14 stolen base attempts. Making things happen on the base paths is exactly what Lakeshore’s Eddy Morgan expects from Taylor.
As a freshman on a talented pitching staff, Nolan Bond is being brought along slowly for the Cougars. The 6’6 right-hander from Spring, TX has a solid frame to develop on the mound and will be eager for innings as he joins the Chinooks. Bond was a two-time Second Team All-District pitcher for Klein Oak High School where he lettered in baseball in each of his four years. Bond has made just one brief appearance in the Houston line-up, but hopes to make great strides during his summer at Lakeshore.
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.