The Lakeshore Chinooks have announced their team awards for the 2013 season. First year manager Eddy Morgan led the team to a 44-26 record and the organization’s first division title (2nd half) and first playoff appearance. Lakeshore lost to the Madison Mallards in game 3 of the divisional series at Kapco Park back in August.
Mike Hollenbeck (Illinois State University) was announced as the team’s 2013 MVP. The MVP award is given to the player who most contributed to the success of the team throughout the season. Hollenbeck started his time with the Chinooks as a temp player, but after getting off to a hot start, he was given a roster spot for the remainder of the season. Mike assumed the catching duties for a majority of the season. Hollenbeck ended the season with a .314 batting average, 60 hits, 22 runs, 1 home run, and 30 RBI’s. He was also an All-Star for the South Division at the annual Northwoods League All-Star Game.
The Chinooks Pitcher of the Year award was given to Tyler Thicke (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee). Thicke returned to the Chinooks for a second season after being a part of the Chinooks inaugural roster. He appeared in 12 games, 8 of those in a starting role, finishing the season with a 2.14 ERA and a 5-2 record. Thicke took the mound on the final game of the season, helping the Chinooks clinch a division title and playoff berth. Tyler was also named to the 2013 Northwoods League South Division All-Star team.
The Kapco Steel Slugger Award was awarded to Andrew Stevenson (LSU). The annual slugger award is given to the player who contributed the most offensively to the team. Stevenson finished the season with a .345 batting average, 49 hits, 30 runs, 2 home runs, and 14 RBI’s. Due to LSU’s success in the college World Series, Andrew did not join the Chinooks until the end of June.
The Robin Yount Award was awarded to Sawyer Polen (Kent State). Robin Yount was known throughout his career for playing the game with hustle, passion, determination, and professionalism as well as being a gentleman off the field. Each year, a player from the Chinooks that exemplifies these qualities is selected to receive the Robin Yount Award. Sawyer Polen played all 70 games for the Chinooks as well as three playoff games and the annual All-Star Game. Polen’s defensive prowess also earned him a 2013 Rawling’s Finest in the Field Award, which recognizes the Northwoods League’s top fielders at each position.
The four 2013 award recipients will be presented with their awards on Opening Day next summer during an on-field presentation prior to the game.
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 is the largest organized summer collegiate 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 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit lakeshorechinooks.com.
