Cal Poly’s Morgan, Cincinnati’s Zellner, and ULM’s Hemphill Heading to the Creek
Battle Creek, Mich.
The Battle Creek Bombers have signed a trio of top collegiate talent for their upcoming 2015 season, which begins in just two weeks (May 26).
Outfielder Kevin Morgan is among those added to the roster. Morgan hails from Cal Poly, a perennial national powerhouse that entered this season ranked No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches’ DI Baseball Poll. In addition, the Battle Creek Bombers are proud to announce the signings of University of Cincinnati pitcher Andrew Zellner and University of Louisiana at Monroe catcher Spencer Hemphill.
OF Kevin Morgan (5’10”, 185, Sophomore, Bats: L/Throws: R)
Morgan has played in 26 games and started seven so far in his second year with the Mustangs. Although he didn’t start a game in 2014, Morgan appeared in 16 games in the outfield and hit .538 with two doubles. Last summer, while playing for the Walla Walla Sweets of the West Coast League, Morgan hit .273 in 34 games, totaling one home run, 24 RBIs, and two stolen bases. He ranked second on the Sweets in total assists from the outfield with 16, while committing only three errors.
“Kevin is the kind of outfielder that will thrive in C.O. Brown Stadium’s huge outfield,” Robinson said. “He has a solid arm and can cover a lot of ground with his plus speed. At the plate, he can drive the ball to all fields. I am excited to have Kevin who comes from a program that reached No. 1 in the nation last season.”
RHP Andrew Zellner (6’3”, 180, Sophomore, Cincinnati, Bats: R/Throws: R)
Zellner has appeared in 16 games this season, eight as a starter. The Bearcat has thrown 57 1-3 innings, while posting the team lead in ERA (3.14) and strikeouts (49). As a starter, Zellner has a 2-1 record and a 2.85 ERA. On May 2 against Memphis, he pitched 7 2-3 innings out of the bullpen, scattering five hits, one walk, and two runs, while striking out a career-high 11 batters.
“Andrew is having a breakout year at Cincinnati and I expect him to ride that momentum into this summer,” Field Manager Robert Robinson said.” I’ve heard great things from his coaches about his mentality on and off the field. With the way he has exceeded expectations this spring, I am very happy to have him pitching for us in Battle Creek.”
C Spencer Hemphill (6’0”, 205, Freshman, ULM, Bats: R/Throws: R)
As a freshman, Hemphill has started 38 games for the Warhawks, including 23-of-26 since the beginning of April. The ULM catcher is hitting .256 with nine extra-base hits, nine runs, and 14 RBIs. Hemphill starred in a 7-4 win over Texas State on March 7, he went 2-for-5 with a double and knocked in a season-high three runs. He just finished a six-game hitting streak, during which he is hit .391 and had three multi-hit games.
“I’m very impressed with the way that Spencer has stepped into a big role with ULM as a freshman,” Robinson said. “The expectations are high in Louisiana and he has shown that he can compete against the top teams in the nation on a daily basis.”
Make sure to catch Morgan, Zellner, Hemphill and the rest of and the rest of the 2015 Bombers at C.O. Brown Stadium this summer. The Bombers start play on May 26th, opening day of the Northwoods League season, when they host the defending NWL Champion Lakeshore Chinooks. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Group Tickets, Single Game Tickets, and Mini-Plans are now on sale. However, the final day for Mini-Plan sales is scheduled for May 15, 2015.
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The Battle Creek Bombers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized 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 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). For more information, visit www.battlecreekbombers.com.