KALAMAZOO, MI – Indiana University’s very own, Connor Manous, has been selected to represent the Kalamazoo Growlers in the upcoming 2017 Northwoods League All-Star Game in Wausau, Wisconsin.
The Munster, Indiana, native has posted a 1-1 record with a 3.68 ERA over a span of six starts. In 29.1 innings-pitched, Manous has punched out 26 batters while only walking 12.
Back on June 6th, the righty went seven strong innings in a 3-2 victory over the Madison Mallards. In those seven innings, Manous allowed two earned on a minimal four hits, four K’s, walking just one duck in the process.
The most notable outing in the first half of the season, however, came on June 23rd in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Manous struck out seven Dock Spiders in six innings of work. He allowed one run on four hits, again only walking one on the night.
When asked about what the All-Star selection means to him, Manous said, “It means a lot and it’s a great honor to be a part of it. I’m excited and can’t wait.” In terms of the second half of the season, “I look to do anything I can to help the team win and continue to get better,” he stated.
In the South Division, the First-Half Champion Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have six players on the roster. Wisconsin Rapids is led by Dustin Woodcock (SIU-Edwardsville) and his five home runs, 10 doubles, seven stolen bases and 30 RBI. On the mound, Rafter Jack Eagan (Madison College) leads the league with six wins and is second in the league with 42 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched. He has walked only 14 batters and has a 1.54 ERA.
In the North Division, the St. Cloud Rox and the Mankato MoonDogs are tied with five selections each. The All-Stars from the First-Half Champion Rox are led by outfielders Drew Avans (Southeastern Louisiana) and Shane Selman (McNeese State). Avans is currently hitting .301 with three doubles a triple and 17 stolen bases while Selman has nine doubles, three home runs and 20 RBI to go along with four stolen bases. On the mound, the Rox have three selections. Aaron Rozek (Minnesota State University, Mankato) leads the staff and the league with 44 strikeouts in 37.1 innings pitched and is 5-0 with a 2.65 ERA.
The MoonDogs contingent of All-Stars features outfielder Toby Hanson (Minnesota) and infielder Ethan Valdez (Nicholls State). Hanson is currently hitting .416 with nine doubles, four stolen bases and 12 RBI. Valdez is having an impressive season as well at the plate. He has 13 doubles, three home runs, two triples and nine stolen bases across 35 games. Valdez is hitting .358 and has driven in 24 runs.
Field Manager Craig Noto and his coaching staff from the defending Summer Collegiate World Series Champion Wisconsin Rapids Rafters will be in the dugout for the South. The Rafters currently have a 29-9 record and are 2-0 in the second half. Wisconsin Rapids has won the past three halves dating back to last season.
St. Cloud Field Manager Augie Rodriguez and his staff will manage the North All-Stars. The First-Half North Division Champion Rox are currently 1-1 in the second half and 26-12 overall.
This year's All-Stars were chosen in a vote by the 20 member teams of the Northwoods League. Ballots were cast by each team's field staff and media contacts.
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The Kalamazoo Growlers 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 170 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 (BOS), 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.growlersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Growlers as your favorite team.