Bearcats Prepare For Summer League Action

By Brandon Chinn, Athletics Communications Writer

SALEM, ORE. --Willamette University baseball playersareparticipating on various summer league teamsthroughout the country as they prepare for the 2013 season. In total, 17players from the 2012 team are competing this summer.

Mitchell Rowan (Sr., OF, Cotati, CA/Rancho Cotate HS) is entering his second year with the Willmar Stingers (Minn.) who compete in the highly regarded Northwoods League.

Having spent most of his time in the leadoff spot, Rowan enjoyed success with theStingers last season. Hebatted .333 with 19 doubles and 21 runs batted in. Rowanwas also an efficient 22 of 27 on stolen bases.

Rowan, who graduated from Willamette this spring with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise Science, led the Bearcats with a .342 average in 2012. He belted 10 home runs andproduced 40 RBIs on his way to being named Second Team All-West Region as well as Second Team All-Northwest Conference.

Rowan has signed with the University of San Francisco to play NCAA Division I baseball next season. He will be using the year of eligibility he received from a medical hardship waiver after missing all but seven games at WU in 2010 due to a broken hand.

Sky Kelley (Jr., OF, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) has joined the Bend Elks of the highly competitive West Coast League. Kelley had a nice season in 2012, batting .325 while driving in 24 RBIs.Kelley also demonstrated his offensive power, hitting eight home runs to trail only Rowan for the team lead.

Galen Duff (Jr., INF, Spokane, WA/Gonzaga Prep) is in California this summer playing for the Fresno Cardinals of the Pacific West Baseball League. Despite limited playing time due to multiple injuries this spring, Duff recorded six hits in only 17 at bats. He also hit a home run for the Bearcats.

Parker Johnson (Jr., RHP, Carlsbad, CA/La Costa Canyon HS) is playing in Coloradofor the Denver Rockhounds who are affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Baseball League.

Johnson struck out six batters over nine total innings of relief for the Bearcats this spring.He currently ranks 6th on the Willamette all-time saves list with six career saves.

Ben Petersen (Jr., C, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS/Butte College) is playing for the Sacramento Legends of the Sacramento Premier Baseball League.

In his first season at Willamette this spring, Petersen played in 19 games, batting .320 with nine RBIs. Along with his offense, Petersenaccomplished a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage behind the plate for the Bearcats.

Joining Petersen on the Legends is fellow California native Tosh Semlacher (So., 3B, Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS).

Semlacher, whospent most of his time at third base for the Bearcats this season, is playing in the outfield for the Legends.Thispast season,Semlacher hit .272 and stole 13 bases.

Tommy Kawamura (So., SS, Renton, WA/Lindbergh HS) is in California playingfor the Atwater Aviators of the PWBL. Kawamura produced a .279 average with 14 RBIs. He was second on the team in walks (29) and scored 30 runs on the season.

Brad Breier (Fr., C, Torrance, CA/South HS) and Andrew Wilson (Fr., OF, Granite Bay, CA/Granite Bay HS) are playing summer baseball in Wisconsin for the Manitowoc Bandits of both the Wisconsin State League and the Northeastern Wisconsin Baseball League.

Breier ended his freshman year with a .333 average, going 4 for 12 from the plate. Wilson had 37 at bats for the Bearcats. He finished the season with nine hits and 10 RBIs. Wilson alsohit three home runs and posted a .500 slugging percentage.

Tanner Oates (Fr.,2B, Sparks, NV/Spanish Springs HS)is spending his summer with the Sierra Sundevils in Nevada.He hit a double, a triple and was successful on all four of his stolen base attempts for Willamette in 2012.

T.J. Whidby (Fr., RHP, Woodinville, WA/Redmond HS) is playing for the Seattle Stars this summer. He also played for the Stars in 2011. Whidby was a starter on the mound for the Bearcats this spring. He recorded a 3-2 record to go along with a 4.28 earned run average.

Fellow starting pitcher Peter Hoffman (Fr., P, Hayden, ID/Lake City HS) is playing baseball for the Lumbermen of Coeur D'Alene American Legion Baseball. Hoffman posted a 5.17 ERA in 54 innings of work at WU this spring. He threw one complete game and also heldopposing hittersto a .281 batting average.

Tyler Olson (Fr., RHP, Yuba City, CA/Yuba City HS) is playing for the Marysville Goldsox of the Don McCullough Division in the Horizon Air Summer Series. Olson posted a 3-3 record, striking out 27 batters in 30 2/3 innings of work this spring. He ended the year strong, allowing only four earned runs in his last 16 innings pitched.

Blake Evetts (Fr., RHP, Tigard, OR/Jesuit HS)is in Oregon for the summer playing for "The Yard", which is a travel club team in Portland. Evetts had a 1-1 record for the Bearcats in 12 relief appearances. He struck out 18 batters in 15 1/3 innings pitched.

Hunter Gallant (Fr., INF, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) is playing with El Dorado of American Legion Baseball in California. Gallant, who mainly played second base forthe Bearcatsthis spring, batted .279 with three home runs. He also produced 21 RBIs and went 7 for 7 on stolen bases.

Garrett Davis (So., RHP, Marysville, WA/Marysville Pilchuck HS) and Zach Holcomb (Fr., RHP. Bellevue, WA/Newport HS) are both pitching for the Mets out of the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League.

Davis made three appearances for the Bearcats this season. Holcomb finished with a 3.21 earned run average. He struck out 11 batters in 14 innings pitched, and limited opposing hitters to a .226 average.