KALAMAZOO, MI –The Atlantic Coast Conference released their All-Conference first, second, third and freshman teams on May 23rd with a list featuring two former and one future Kalamazoo Growler players. All three players play their collegiate seasons with the top-15 Virginia Cavaliers and will begin ACC tournament play on May 25th against Florida State. 

Jake Gelof and Alex Tappen, both members of the 2021 Growlers roster, were named members of the All-ACC first team after impressive seasons for both players. Tappen, a graduate senior outfielder, slashed .350/.412/.612 during the 2022 regular season for UVA and tacked on 13 home runs. Jake Gelof, a Dick Howser award semi-finalist, was among the best hitters in all of division one baseball this season, posting a .376 batting average with 74 RBI and 19 long balls. 

Griff O’Ferrall, who will join the Growlers in a few weeks, was named to the ACC All-Freshman team after a more than impressive first season of power five baseball. In a little over 200 at-bats for the Cavs, O’Ferrall slashed .324/.424/.386 and racked up 8 extra-base hits, 39 RBI and 17 stolen bases. O’Ferrall will appear in a Growlers uniform after Virginia concludes post-season play for the 2022 campaign.

Congratulations to these Growlers past and future on earning this tremendous honor! We look forward to seeing how their season ends up and wish them the best of luck!

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The Kalamazoo Growlers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27^th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 250 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. 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.