Mequon, WI – The Lakeshore Chinooks have added three potential starting pitchers, including a returner from last year’s squad, who are looking for a productive summer in the Northwoods League.  Marshall Kasowski (Houston) is looking to bounce back from injuries related to a severe car accident over the winter, Liam Jenkins (Arizona State) will be trying to earn more opportunities with the Sun Devils, and Zach Spears (Miami-Ohio) who has already established himself as a Sunday starter and is eager to test his stuff against Northwoods hitters, have been added to Eddy Morgan’s pitching staff.

Marshall Kasowski had a tremendous 2015 season for the Chinooks.  The strong right-hander from Conroe, TX posted a 4-0 record in eight starts and recorded an ERA of 2.70 against NWL hitters, tying Lake Bachar with a team-high and franchise record 63 strikeouts.  Unfortunately, upon returning to Houston for what promised to be a terrific second season with the Cougars, Kasowski was injured in a sever car accident and spent much of the offseason recovering.  After intense rehabilitation, Kasowski miraculously made it back to the mound and started four games for the Cougars, going 2-2 and striking out 18 batters in 16 innings.  Unfortunately, not quite feeling right, Kasowski had his 2016 season cut short by surgery related to the accident.  The 6’3, 220-lb. junior will now return to Lakeshore looking to regain the form that had him in the sights of professional scouts.

 

Liam Jenkins, a 6’8 right-handed hurler from Mokena, IL has yet to pitch for the Sun Devils in his freshman season, but the imposing hurler made an impression on Robin Yount when he paid a visit to ASU.  “That’s an imposing guy on the mound.  I’ll be anxious to see what he’s got,” said the Hall of Famer.  With the possibility of red-shirting the 2016 season, Jenkins will come to Lakeshore eager to get innings and earn playing time for the Sun Devils in 2017.

 

 

 

Zach Spears is another impressive freshman hurler, who along with Miami teammates, Cole Gnetz and Hayden Senger, will come to the Chinooks after impressive freshman seasons.  Spears has been locked in as the RedHawks’ Sunday starter making ten starts and pitching 43.2 innings while posting a 1-4 record with 32 strikeouts and a 5.98 ERA .  The 6’6 native of Greenfield, IN comes from a football family with both his father and brother playing collegiately for Division I schools, but Spears found his niche in baseball, lettering three times at Mount Vernon High School.

 

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.