KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The next players to be added to the Growlers roster both come from Duke and bring a lot of versatility to the team. Joey Loperfido was recruited as a shortstop but can also play second and third base as well as shift to the outfield. Matt Mervis gained experience with the Blue Devils both as a pitcher and first baseman and can also play some third base.

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IF | Joey Loperfido | 6’4” | L/R | Freshman | Haddonfield, NJ

Joey Liperfido is a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School and a three-year letterwinner of the baseball program. He was a Rawlings Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American and a first team all Northeast selection. He batted above .400 from his sophomore to his senior year. Rated among the top 500 overall prospects and the No. 84 shortstop nationally in the 2017 recruiting class by Perfect Game.

IF/RHP | Matt Mervis | 6’4” | L/R | Sophomore | Potomac, MD

Matt Mervis is a graduate of Georgetown Prepatory School and is returning for his sophomore season at Duke. While in high school he was chosen in the 39 th round by the Washington Nationals. As a freshman, Mervis was named to the 2017 ACC Academic Honor Roll. He found success as a two-way player, finding time both pitcher and first base. As a pitcher he went 2-2 with a 7.83 ERA allowing 20 earned runs in 23 innings. At the plate he went 2-for- 6 in his two starts at first base, with both of his hits going as doubles.

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The Kalamazoo Growlers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods 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 185 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR).  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.