Mequon, WI – The Lakeshore Chinooks have invited three pitchers from their 2015 roster to take the mound for the "Nooks" in 2016. Sterling Koerner (Florida Gulf Coast), Zach Reeg (Augustana College), and Joe Stoll (Ohio State) will bring back experience in facing Northwoods League hitters to Eddy Morgan’s pitching staff.
Sterling Koerner, a 6’2 right-hander from Fort Pierce, FL will follow in the footsteps of Ryan Krill and Jake Tuttle as a three year member of the Chinooks. Koerner helped lead Lakeshore to the 2014 Northwoods League Championship with two key postseason wins in relief and after making nine appearances in 2015, is tied for second on the team’s career wins list with seven. He has also recorded four saves and currently has the fifth best career ERA for the Chinooks at 2.24.
As a key contributor on the mound for the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in 2015, Koerner made 22 appearances in his sophomore season, tied for the team lead in wins with a 6-4 record and posted a 3.02 ERA. As a testament to his strong control, Koerner struck out 46 batters and walked only four. His 11.5 K-BB ratio was one of the top in the nation and positioned Koerner heading into his junior season as one of the top relievers in the country. Koerner has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball writers Association Stopper of the Year Watch List for 2016, but as FGCU head coach Dave Tollett remarked, “will likely pitch in a number of roles” this season. With a number of early season injuries to begin the 2016 season, Koerner has been forced into the starting rotation and has been the Friday starter thus far in Fort Myers, starting five games with a 5.74 ERA. Lakeshore Chinoosk skipper Eddy Morgan is eager to have the dependable control pitcher back saying, “With Sterling, you always know what you’re going to get!”
Despite beginning his fourth season with the OSU Buckeyes, lefty Joe Stoll from Westlake, OH recently made his first collegiate appearance on Feb. 20, 2016 against Pitt. The crafty left-hander redshirted as a freshman in 2013 and then failed to make appearances in 2014 and 2015 but threw with confidence during his 2015 summer with the Chinooks. With a positive attitude and enthusiastic approach, Stoll quickly earned Morgan’s trust and made 19 appearances, during which he posted the fourth best ERA in a season with 1.89 in 47.2 innings of work. That mark stands up for third best over a NWL career with the Chinooks as Stoll returns in 2016. Also recognized twice as an OSU Scholar-Athlete in 2014 and 2015, Stoll hopes for more opportunities with the Buckeyes this season and has made four relief appearances thus far, striking out four and walking two.
Zach Reeg was a mid-summer replacement for the Chinooks in 2015. In four briefZach Reeg – Augustana UniversityZach Reeg – Augustana University appearances during which he struck out six hitters in 4.1 innings, Reeg impressed the Lakeshore staff with his potential as he returns to Division II Augustana in Sioux Falls, SD. While also playing ten games as a freshman in the outfield for the Vikings, Reeg made 14 appearances on the mound. He posted a 3-0 record with one save and a team low 2.20 ERA. The strong 220 pounder from Omaha, NE also struck out 20 and held opponents to a mere .169 batting average. With those numbers, Reeg is poised to compete as a starter this season and should gain valuable experience prior to returning for a second stint with the Chinooks.
You can catch your first glimpse of the 2016 Chinooks roster on Saturday, June 4th when Lakeshore takes on the Green Bay Bullfrogs at 6:35pm. Season tickets, mini game packages, and group tickets are all currently on sale. Single game tickets go on sale to the public Tuesday, May 3rd at 10:00am. For tickets and more information, call 262-618-4659 or visit lakeshorechinooks.com.
The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 22-year old summer collegiate 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 140 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com.
