Eli Benes
Joining the club 10 games into the 2026 Northwoods League Season, infielder Nolan Sandee has brought a much needed spark to the Lakeshore Chinooks. In 21 games, the Northern Illinois product is fourth on the team with a .310 batting average, and enters July 3 with seven multi-hit games.
Additionally, Sandee ranks top five in hits, walks, and OPS for active Chinook hitters. His efforts earned him a trip to the 2026 Northwoods League All-Star game in Dyersville, Iowa on July 8. With the game being played in Dyersville, Sandee has the opportunity to play at the historic Field of Dreams.
Hitting batting practice on the field before a game against Kalamazoo, Sandee was asked if he wanted to go to Dyersville to represent the Chinooks.
“I was like might as well. It’s a great place to be [and] great field,” Sandee said.
While Sandee has previously played travel tournaments in Iowa, this will be his first time playing at the historic field. Making the trip to Iowa as the lone Chinook All-Star, Sandee said his parents are potentially making the trip to support him.
Hailing from nearby Glendale, Sandee is quite familiar with the club and grew up going to Chinooks games. At every home game, Sandee said he has around 10 family members and friends in attendance.
“I have a great support system and a lot of guys that are coming and watching me play,” Sandee said. “I like to play my best and show them what I can do when they come and support me.”
In 13 games at Moonlight Graham Field, Sandee is 17-50 at the plate with four doubles. In those games, the Chinooks are 11-2. Overall, the Chinooks are 14-7 in games Sandee has made an appearance.
After a 20-8 victory over Kalamazoo on June 29 where Sandee scored twice and collected a pair of hits, Field Manager Mikel Moreno reflected on Sandee’s accomplishment.
“I’m really happy for him. He’s such a hard worker [and] he’s not satisfied with anything,” Moreno said.
Sandee is performing at a high-level following a successful sophomore campaign at Northern Illinois this past spring. Making 47 starts at shortstop, Sandee was second on the team in walks and on-base percentage.
Impacting the Chinooks this summer with his ability to get on base consistently, Sandee did the same for the Huskies in the spring by collecting 12 multi-hit games. With help from Sandee, Northern Illinois broke a 54-year NCAA tournament drought.
In their opening game in the Tallahassee regional against Coastal Carolina, Sandee had a career-high four RBIs in a 12-10 win.
Playing in 68 games between the spring and the summer, Sandee has accumulated 288 plate appearances. Admitting his heavy workload this year has been hard on the body, Sandee said he continues to work on mobility and strength in the weight room.
[I’m] coming in every day doing the same thing and trusting my process,” Sandee said.
As Sandee prepares to take the trip to Iowa, the Chinooks are playing their best baseball of the season. During their current eight-game winning streak, Sandee is 12-29 with just three strikeouts. His presence has been felt the most when he gets on base via the base hit.
In 11 games Sandee has recorded a hit, the Chinooks are 10-1. When Sandee has gone for multiple hits in a game, the Chinooks are 6-1. Spending time at shortstop, second base and third base, Sandee has been a crucial piece to a Chinooks squad well positioned for a second-half postseason push.
