Bearcats Enjoying Summer League Success

By Brandon Chinn, Athletics Communications Writer

SALEM, ORE. --Surpassing the midway point of their summer seasons, members of the Willamette University baseball teamare experiencing plenty of success as they prepare for the 2013 season. In total, 17 players from the 2012 team are competing this summer.

In his second season with the Wilmar Stingers (Minn.), graduate Mitch Rowan ('12, OF, Cotati, CA/Rancho Cotate HS) is continuing his success from last summer. Through 44 games, Rowan is batting .294 with seven doubles, a triple, two home runs and 23 RBIs. He has stolen 14 bases while scoring 37 runs for the Stingers.

At the conclusion of the summer season, Rowan will attend the University of San Francisco, where he has signed 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 with a wrist injury in 2010.

Tosh Semlacher (So., 3B, Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS) and Ben Petersen (Jr., C, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS/Butte College) are both providing major contributions for the Sacramento Legends of the Sacramento Premier Baseball League.

At the plate thus far, Semlacher has posted a .382 average with 13 doubles, four triples, four home runs and 44 RBIs. He has scored 38 runs and is 21 of 25 on stolen base attempts. Semlacher, who spent most of his time at third base for the Bearcats last season, is playing in the outfield for the Legends.

Starting in 51 games this summer, Petersen has amassed a .301 batting average to go along with 17 doubles and two home runs. He also has driven in 33 RBIs for the Legends.

Tommy Kawamura is batting .275 with seven doubles and 15 RBIs for the Atwater Aviators of the Pacific West Baseball League. After playing shortstop for the Bearcats last season, Kawamura has made a smooth transition back to second base with the Aviators. In 130 opportunities through 32 games played, Kawamura owns a strong .963 fielding percentage.

Kawamura was rewarded for his successful play as he was chosen to participate in the 2012 PWBL All Star Game. Representing the South Division, Kawamura went 1 for 3 with a 2 RBI double. He also walked and was hit by a pitch as his team cruised to a 10-5 victory.

Also playing in the PWBL is Galen Duff (Jr., INF, Spokane, WA/Gonzaga Prep). Duff is batting .232 with two home runs and 10 RBIs for the Fresno Cardinals this summer.

Andrew Wilson (Fr., OF, Granite Bay, CA/Granite Bay HS) and Brad Breier (Fr., C, Torrance, CA/South HS) were both named All-Stars for the Manitowoc Bandits, who are affiliated with two leagues.

Wilson was named an All-Star in the Northeastern Wisconsin Baseball League, having recorded a .407 batting average. He also has six doubles, two triples and 20 RBIs on the season. Breier was chosen to represent the Bandits in the Wisconsin State League All-Star game with a .351 batting average and 20 RBIs.

After a strong freshman season at Willamette, Hunter Gallant (Fr., INF, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) is batting .409 with 12 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 39 runs batted in for El Dorado (Calif.) of American Legion. His production at the plate has played a major role in the team's 29-3 record this summer.

Tanner Oates (Fr., 2B, Sparks, NV/Spanish Springs HS) is enjoying both individual and team success with the Sierra Sundevils, who own a 26-9 record. Oates has earned a .420 batting average to go along with 14 walks. He also owns a .760 slugging percentage with 10 doubles, three triples and two home runs.

In eight appearances for the Seattle Stars of the Seattle Premier League, T.J. Whidby (Fr., RHP, Woodinville, WA/Redmond HS) has a perfect 6-0 record with one save to go along with a 0.75 earned run average. He has tossed four complete games and struck out 34 batters in 37.1 innings pitched.

While pitching for the Lumbermen of Coeur d'Alene American Legion Baseball, Peter Hoffman (Fr., P, Hayden, ID/Lake City HS) has a 5-1 record with a 1.80 ERA in 42 innings of work on the season.

Parker Johnson (Jr., RHP, Carlsbad, CA/La Costa Canyon HS) has pitched 14 innings for the Denver Rockhounds of the Rocky Mountain Baseball League. He owns a 1-1 record with a 4.00 ERA and 17 strikeouts.

Both Garrett Davis (So., RHP, Marysville, WA/Marysville Pilchuck HS) and Zach Holcomb (Fr., RHP. Bellevue, WA/Newport HS) are pitching for the Mets of the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League. In 13 innings pitched, Davis has recorded nine strikeouts and is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA. Holcomb has a 2-2 record along with a 3.46 earned run average through 26 innings pitched this summer.

Sky Kelley (Jr., OF, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) has spent time this summer playing on both the Bend Elks of the West Coast League and the Bend Bucks. Blake Evetts (Fr., RHP, Tigard, OR/Jesuit HS) is playing with "The Yard" which is a travel club team based out of Portland. Stats for both players were not readily available.