Mequon, WI – The 2015 Lakeshore Chinooks roster will include players from through the country representing some of the finest baseball conferences that college baseball has to offer. This week the Chinooks have added Adam Heidenfelder and David Leiderman from Hofstra University in New York and Kevin Long from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.
Adam Heidenfelder is a 6’5, 265 lb. right-handed pitcher who Hofstra assistant coach Chris Johns says, “Adam may have one of the best arms we’ve recruited to Hofstra and has the potential to be one of the best pitchers we’ve had.” Heidenfelder, who was a highly recruited All-State pitcher from MacArthur High School in Wantagh, NY, has stepped into a starting role as a freshman for the Hofstra Pride. In his first five collegiate starts, Heidenfelder has struck out 19 batters in 26 innings of work as he adjusts to the college game. With a fastball that has topped out at 92 mph, Heidenfelder’s breaking ball has allowed him to quickly transition to the college game. “Adam is getting better every time out,” added Johns. Playing for the Chinooks should help that improvement as well. “I’m excited to play some of the best summer ball in the country,” says the incoming pitcher.
David Leiderman, who took a redshirt season in his first year with the Pride, has been one of Hofstra’s top hitters for the past two seasons. Last season, the 6’3 third baseman from Merrick, NY started 41 games and hit .248 with seven doubles, eight RBIs and 18 runs scored and had nine multi-hit games. This season, Leiderman is hitting .297 in 25 games with an on-base percentage of .362 after a 2014 summer in the Alaskan League where he hit .300 before suffering a foot injury. Hofstra, like many schools on the East coast this year, has had its share of weather issues. As the weather improves, the Hofstra staff expects to see Leiderman’s numbers go up. Leiderman is anxious to expand his game in the Northwoods saying, “I want to improve as a power hitter and to expand my range as a third baseman.”
Kevin Long, from Hatboro, PA is an experienced 6’1 right-handed pitcher for the Lehigh Hawks as he made 31 appearances in his first two college seasons. He struck out 77 batters in 92.1 innings over that span. This season, Long has been throwing in the low 90’s and has struck out 17 batters, while posting a 4.76 ERA in 11.1 innings. Long chose to attend Lehigh after an impressive career for La Salle College High School where in his senior season, he earned First Team All-Catholic honors and was selected at the Philadelphia Daily News First Team All-City and Pitcher of the Year. As Long develops as a pitcher, a summer in the Northwoods is a challenge that he is eager to accept. “I expect to be pushed past my limits this summer and I hope to become a better player because of it,” says Long.
You can catch your first glimpse of the 2015 Chinooks roster on May 28th when Lakeshore takes on the Kenosha Kingfish at 6:35pm. The first 1,000 fans will receive a 2014 championship pennant (courtesy of Port Washington State Bank) and a 2015 magnet schedule (courtesy of Professional Supply). On Opening Day, there will also be a special pre-game championship celebrate. The championship celebration week will continue on Saturday, May 30th with Championship Trophy Gill bobblehead for the first 1,000 fans (sponsored by GS Design).
The Lakeshore Chinooks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.lakeshorechinooks.com.
