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Published On: July 16th, 2015

Mequon, WI – The Lakeshore Chinooks had two players named All-Stars in Lake Bachar and Lucas Raley, and the team recently got some more good news. In addition to the All-Star game, the Northwoods League has announced that Raley will be taking place in the Home Run Challenge that proceeds the game. 

It is certainly much-deserved that Raley was named to the South Division squad for the home run challenge. Entering play on Thursday, he held the lead in home runs in the entire Northwoods League with 11. He has also been one of the most clutch hitters in the entire NWL, ranking second in the league with 40 RBIs. Additionally, his five triples tie him for third most in the league and his .588 slugging percentage is good for second. He certainly has not sacrificed contact to do all of that, either, as he is hitting .321 on the year.

There was no better display of power from Raley than back on July 4th. Playing the Kalamazoo Growlers in game one of a doubleheader, Raley was the first player in the 21-year history of the NWL to hit four home runs in one game. Even more impressive is the fact that the game was only seven innings given that it was part of a doubleheader. Raley also drove in eight batters in that game. 

It is not too surprising to see Raley have such an impressive display of power. In 77 career games spanning two seasons for Lake Erie College, Raley has slugged .598 and hit 13 home runs. He has also added 20 doubles and three triples in his collegiate career. 

The Home Run Challenge has a unique feel this year as there will be both a team and individual component to it. There will be nine players from each division represented in the challenge. Each player will get one "inning" to hit as many home runs as possible. They will be allowed as many chances to hit home runs as possible until they have gotten "out" six times, which is simply when they swing at a pitch and it does not result in a home run. 

There will be two champions of the home run challenge. The individual player with the most home runs will receive the individual title, but there will also be a competition between the North and South Division to see which side can hit the most total home runs among their nine players. 

Raley has been the Chinooks' most consistent and feared hitter throughout the season, and it is great to see him get the recognition that he deserves. A Chinook, Brett Siddall, won the home run challenge in 2014, so Lakeshore will hope to get back-to-back titles with a solid showing from Raley.

The Home Run Challenge is set to take place at 5:05 until roughly 6:25 on Tuesday, July 21st in Wisconsin Rapids at Witter Field. The All-Star game will take place following the Home Run Challenge at around 7:05 p.m.

The Lakeshore Chinooks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League.  Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League draws 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 (WSH) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WSH), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information visit www.lakeshorechinooks.com.