FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kalamazoo, Mich. – The Kalamazoo Growlers have announced the re-signing of Kalamazoo Valley Community College redshirt sophomore Kevin Krill as well as Kalamazoo College sophomore Ryar Rinehart and junior Chase Cummins.

Kevin Krill returns to the Growlers for his second season. The 6-foot-1 inch catcher came to Kalamazoo in 2023 following his redshirt freshman season at Oakland University. In one full season of action with the Golden Grizzlies, Krill acted as a platooning catcher appearing in 26 games. Krill was one of just four position players who were with the Growlers for the entirety of the 2023 campaign, appearing in 32 games and hitting .236. Since transferring to KVCC, Krill has dominated in his first season with the Cougars. Across his first 32 games of the season, the righty is slashing .371/.541/.486 while driving in 26 RBI and walking a team-lead 32 times compared to just nine strikeouts.

Ryar Rinehart comes to the Growlers after a pair of seasons as the primary third baseman for Kalamazoo College. The right-handed hitting sophomore from Rockford, Mich. has a career .359 average across 58 games played including 32 extra-base hits and 89 RBI. The All-MIAA First Teamer and MIAA batting champion as just a freshman in 2023, Rinehart broke the Kalamazoo single-season record for RBI (72) and home runs (10). These numbers correlated to Rinehart being named a DII All-American as a third baseman. This past summer, Rinehart played for the Muskegon Clippers of the Great Lakes Collegiate League appearing in 29 games and driving in 18 RBI.

Another arm added to the Growlers’ pitching staff this summer is Chase Cummins. The junior joins the organization following his third full season with the Hornets. Originally from Wixom, Mich., the right-hander has a career ERA of 7.67 while having struck out 37 batters. This past summer, Cummins opened eyes as one of the top starters for the Cortland Crush of the New York Collegiate League. In seven appearances (five starts), Cummins threw to a 2.48 ERA, striking out a staggering 40 batters while only walking nine in 29 innings pitched. 

The #GrowlersPipeline continues to grow stronger across the country. The 2024 Northwoods League season is right around the corner. Just 38 days away until the Growlers begin their season on a four-game homestand against the Rockford Rivets beginning on May 27th. Buy Zoo Crew tickets now at THIS LINK.

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