Grafton, WI – The Lakeshore Chinooks will continue a strong connection with the nationally-ranked Central Florida Knights by adding three players to follow in the steps of last year’s Chinook MVP, Rylan Thomas, and Kapco Steel Slugger, Matthew Mika. Making the trip north this summer from Orlando will be Ray Alejo, Dallas Beaver, and Luis Ferrer.
Ray Alejo is a speedy outfielder from Orlando, FL who has also played second base in his college career. This season at UCF he is Mika’s partner in crime on the base paths ranking second on the team with 18 stolen bases in 23 attempts. The redshirt sophomore who played his freshman season at Ole Miss is currently hitting .301 with nine doubles, one triple, and 18 RBI. Alejo will add speed to the Chinook outfield and depth on the infield.
Dallas Beaver’s versatility is reminiscent of Rylan Thomas. He has played third or first base and can serve as a backup catcher when needed. Beaver’s bat makes it difficult to keep him out of the lineup. The sophomore from Kissimmee, FL is hitting .267 in 38 games with Knights and has blasted four home runs along with 19 RBI. His versatility should be an important factor for Travis Akre’s Chinooks this summer.
Louis Ferrer transferred to UCF from Polk State where he was a teammate of current Chinook, Zach Biermann. The left-handed reliever from Cape Coral, FL has adjusted nicely to Division I baseball with a stellar 0.93 ERA in ten appearances, including six strikeouts against just one walk. Ferrer and his teammates will report to Lakeshore at the completion of an expected postseason run in which the Knights are hoping to fulfill lofty expectations in 2018.
The 2018 season is presented by Port Washington State Bank with the home opener set for June 1st at 6:35pm against the Kenosha Kingfish. Season and group tickets are currently on sale with single game tickets available for purchase at Gill’s Grill Out on Saturday April 28th at Port Washington State Bank in Thiensville. The complete promotional schedule is also available on our website.
The Lakeshore Chinooks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.lakeshorechinooks.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Chinooks as your favorite team.
