Nick Walker (Austin Peay State University) and Jacob Blunt (Clarke University) re-sign with Battle Creek

Battle Creek, Mich. – Bombers fans will see a two more familiar faces this summer. Nick Walker (Austin Peay State University) and Jacob Blunt (Clarke University) have opted to remain in Battle Creek for 2017. This recruiting update is presented by OnStaff Group.

"I'm excited to have both Nick and Jake back with us this summer,” said Bombers field manager Brian Solemsaas. “Both guys are great teammates and have the ability to play professionally someday. Any time you can bring back players of their caliber, it is a huge boost to the program." 

Nick Walker: 6’4”, 210, Outfielder, Bats/L, Throws/R, Austin Peay State University (Jr.), Spring Hill, Tenn.

In a few days, Walker will play his first game as an Austin Peay State University Governor. Walker, a Columbia State Community College transfer, will see his first action this spring against Youngstown State in Clarksville, Tenn. While at Columbia State, Walker batted .302 with eight doubles, six triples and 24 RBI as a sophomore. His six triples ranked 33rd-most in NJCAA nationally. 

The Spring Hill, Tenn., native opened 2016 with Battle Creek, posting a .400 average in 40 at-bats with 16 hits and eight RBI.

“Nick is a very athletic outfielder that will hit in the middle of our lineup from the left side,” Solemsaas explained. “Last summer, his time with us was cut short due to an injury. He's as close to a 5-tool player as any guy that we have, and with a year at the D-I level, I'm excited to see his growth as a player." 

 Jacob Blunt: 5’9”, 190, Catcher, Bats/L, Throws/R, Clarke University (Jr.), La Verne, Calif.

Blunt and the Clarke Crusaders have already started their 2017 with two wins against Alice Lloyd College. In that series, Blunt was 2-7 with two doubles and two RBI. Last year, Blunt had a huge sophomore campaign hitting .325 in all 54 games the Crusaders played. His 54 hits, 12 doubles and 41 RBI all registered second on the roster, and he recorded a team-high 300 putouts. Last year, Blunt helped the Crusaders to a record-setting season going 38-17. For the first time in program history, Clarke made an appearance in the opening round of the NAIA National Championship. Blunt went 3-3 with a home run and threw out three York  runners from behind the dish. His performance garnered him Grand Rapids bracket All-Tournament teams honors.

As a Bomber last summer, Blunt hit .257 in 33 games, registering 27 hits and 16 RBI.

"Blunt is a hard-nosed, scrappy player that just finds a way to get the job done,” said Solemsaas. “He is undersized a little bit but he is as consistent of a player that I've been around. Jake is a leader behind the dish and does a great job controlling the running game. I'm looking forward to seeing his development as a hitter, because he could be a guy that hits anywhere in our lineup." 

Fans can guarantee tickets to the team’s top weekend dates of the season by locking in the Bombers 5-game pack. Five-game packs are $59 and include the best seats at the team’s five best games with all-you-can-eat food and beverages and guaranteed giveaways. Fans can buy online by going to http://northwoodsleague.com/battle-creek-bombers/tickets/5-game-packs/. Fans can also call the team’s front office at (269) 962-0735 or by email tickets@battlecreekbombers.com. 

This recruiting update is presented by OnStaff Group. OnStaff Group is the largest human resource services firm in Southwest Michigan, maintaining an exceptionally experienced and stable staff. Learn how your company can benefit from over 168 years of expertise from a vast variety of organizations and industries today.

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The Battle Creek Bombers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 23-year-old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 160 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.battlecreekbombers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Bombers as your favorite team.