History will be made at Memorial Park on Memorial Day. The Royal Oak Leprechauns will play their first-ever game in the Northwoods League, one of the top collegiate summer leagues in the country.
“It’s definitely an exciting move for the organization,” Leprechauns head coach Jonathan Vance said. “I’m sure there’s going to be, in this league this year, probably 15 future big leaguers, so anytime you’re playing with that level of talent and that level of competition, it’s a good time.”
Some notable alumni from the league include MLB all-stars Max Scherzer, Chris Sale, Pete Alonso, Matt Chapman, Ben Zobrist, Curtis Granderson and more.
A total of 26 players from around the country reported to the team Sunday. That number will grow as the collegiate baseball season gets closer to ending. Players that reported today enter the summer representing schools such as Michigan, Michigan State, Central Michigan, Harvard, Fresno State, Long Beach State and others.
“I’m excited,” said Ryan McKay, a true freshman who started 46 games at Michigan State this year.
“I definitely wanted to play in the Northwoods League, if I could,” he said. “It’s really close to home, which I kind of wanted, traveling all year for my freshman year. It’s nice to be close to home and be competitive in the Northwoods League.”
McKay, from Clarkston, Michigan, won two national titles in high school at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s High School. He was top five among qualified hitters on the Spartans this year in batting average, on-base percentage, hits, at-bats and RBIs.
One major returner Vance pointed out is Collin Overholt out of Ashland University. Overholt led the team with four home runs and five triples last year. He has hit above .300 across his three-year college career.
Vance also singled out Jake Jekielek, someone he worked with at Northwood University.
“I think he’s the best right-handed reliever in the country,” he said. “He’s deceptive [and] he’s competitive.”
Jekielek played for the Battle Creek Battle Jacks last year in the Northwoods League. He had an impressive 2.76 ERA in 18 appearances with three saves.
After playing a total of 38 games last year, the team now faces a schedule featuring 72 total games, with 36 to be played at the Lucky Corner and the same amount on the road.
Royal Oak’s inaugural season begins against the Kenosha Kingfish at 6:35 p.m., May 27.
That will be the first of two games with the Kingfish from May 27-28. The Leprechauns then stay at home for another two-game series with the Lakeshore Chinooks from May 29-30 and doubleheader with the Kokomo Jackrabbits on May 31.
