Grafton, WI – Shortly after the 2017 season, the Northwoods League announced it’s 2017 Post-Season All-Stars. This year, two Chinooks players were named to the post-season team, Matthew Mika (University of Central Florida) and Jacob Richardson (Southern Arkansas).

Both players were huge contributors at the plate and in the infield which lead to the Chinooks returning to the Northwoods League playoffs for the fourth time in six years. Mika and Richardson were also both selected and participated in the Northwoods League All-Star Game back in July, hosted by the Wisconsin Woodchucks in Wausau. Matthew would also participate in the Northwoods League Major League Dreams showcase. The annual event is held in early August and serves as a second all-star game for scouts to observe the league’s top talent.

Matthew Mika arrived in Lakeshore during the third week of the season and made an immediate impact. He would go on to play 56 out of 58 games for the remainder of the season. Mika’s performance would get his name in the Chinooks record books by setting a new single season stolen bases record (27) and setting a new record for runs scored in a single season (53). He would finish third all-time for most hits (75) and third all-time for batting average (.333). Matthew also finished 9th in the league for batting average.

Following the season Mika was awarded one of nine Rawling’s Big Stick Awards for his outstanding hitting. He was selected as the best hitter at the 2nd Base position. The Chinooks organization awarded him the Kapco Steel Slugger award for his contributions at the plate. The Lake Worth, Florida resident will now return to the University of Central Florida in Orlando for his junior year.

Jacob Richardson started off the 2017 season as a temp player for Lakeshore. But after getting off to a fast start and turning some heads in the Chinooks dugout, Jacob was awarded a full contract for the remainder of the season. His season was cut short in early August due to a wrist injury. The team could have used his bat and defensive skills during their short trip to the playoffs. Appearing in 51 games over the summer, Richardson ended his 2017 summer with a .279 batting average including 55 hits, 33 runs, 5 HR’s, and 39 RBI’s. He is now back at Southern Arkansas for his senior year.

Lakeshore would like to thank both young men for their contributions this past summer and on a successful 2017 campaign.