Harrison named to another All-American team

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

----------------------------

Alum KJ Harrison (2015) of Oregon State earned his third preseason All-America recognition on Monday when D1Baseball.com named him to its first team.

Earlier this winter the sophomore catcher/first baseman from Hawaii was named a first-team preseason All-American by Perfect Game and second-team by Collegiate Baseball.

Harrison hit .309 with 12 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs and a league-high 60 RBIs in 2015 while earning Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors. He was also named a Freshman All-American by D1Baseball.com, Baseball America, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and by Louisville Slugger.

------------------------------------

Former University of Oregon right-handed pitcher Jimmie Sherfy (2011) is rated as the No. 20 prospect in Arizona's minor-league organization by MLB.com.

Here's the report on Sherfy, who has advanced to double-A in three years in the team's farm system since being selected in the 10th round of the 2013 draft:

"Sherfy was one of the best college closers in the country during his stint in that role at Oregon in 2012 and 2013, racking up 40 saves in those two seasons. Reaching Double-A in his first full season of pro ball, he both closed and set up along the way.

"Despite standing at just six-feet, 175 pounds, Sherfy has the kind of electric stuff teams like to have in the back end of a bullpen. His fastball will sit in the 96-97 mph range with big-time boring action. His slider gives him a second above-average pitch, with quick and late bite.

"Both miss plenty of bats and Sherfy also does a good job of inducing groundball outs. He'll even mix in a changeup to keep hitters honest and while he doesn't need it much, he has some feel for it.

"The biggest thing holding Sherfy back is his command. He walked 4.2 per nine innings in 2014, a rate that will have to improve he wants to close games at the next level. At worst, he could serve as a very effective setup man in the near future."

Jimmie was 1-6, 6.62 in 44 games at Mobile in 2015, with two saves and 50 strikeouts in 49.2 innings.

-------------------

Remember, our 2016 season tickets are on sale and may be purchased over the phone at 541-752-5656; by e-mail at [email protected], or online by clicking here. You can also get tickets at the WWHQ of the Corvallis Knights, on Jefferson Avenue in downtown, just east of the Jefferson-4th Street intersection.

We will play 34 home games in 32 dates this summer, starting on June 1 with the annual nonleague game against the Portland Sea Dogs. Our WCL opener is June 3 at Bend; our WCL home opener is June 14 against Kelowna. So do not miss out!

------------------------

The Walla Walla Sweets have named Zach Bigley their Communications Coordinator and Broadcaster for the 2016 season. He will serve as the play-by-play voice of the Sweets on their flagship radio station, ESPN Walla Walla. Bigley will return to Walla Walla after serving in the same role during the 2015 season. Please click here for more information on that story, from the Our Sports Central website.

Also, the Victoria HarbourCats have made several organizational changes. Please click here for more information on that story, also from the Our Sports Central website.

-----------------------

That is all for today. News gets a little harder to find in the offseason but we still plan to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the 2016 season starts! See you on Friday!

Mahle rated as Angels No. 12 prospect

Happy Monday, everyone. Hope you all had a great weekend.

----------------------------

Former UC Santa Barbara star Greg Mahle (2012) our 2012 MVP as a left-handed pitcher, first baseman and DH, is rated as the No. 12 prospect in the Los Angeles Angels minor-league organization by MLB.com.

Here's the report on Mahle, who has rocketed through the lower four levels of their farm system since signing in 2014 as a 15th-round draft pick:

"A college reliever taken in the 15th round doesn't bring much in the way of expectations with him to the pro game. Mahle, however, using decent stuff and plenty of deception from the left side, has many thinking he'll be able to help out the big league bullpen someday.

"The UC Santa Barbara product will throw four pitches, all average and sometimes a tick above, for strikes. He'll use different arm angles to give hitters very different looks, making it tough to pick up the baseball. Mahle will pitch with an average fastball that will touch 92-93 mph on occasion; an average slider and a curve that will be better than average at times.

"He can even turn his changeup over against right-handed hitters. He'll drop down to sidearm, making it even tougher to have a comfortable at-bat against him.

Mahle made his full-season debut in 2015 in the hitter-friendly California League and was closing games for Inland Empire before earning a promotion and doing the same thing in Double-A. He profiles more as a middle or set-up man at the highest level."

Greg was 3-4, 3.26 in 52 games with single-A Lake Elsinore and double-A Arkansas in 2015, with 25 saves, 67 strikeouts in 58 innings.

-------------------

Remember, our 2016 season tickets are on sale and may be purchased over the phone at 541-752-5656; by e-mail at [email protected], or online by clicking here. You can also get tickets at the WWHQ of the Corvallis Knights, on Jefferson Avenue in downtown, just east of the Jefferson-4th Street intersection.

We will play 34 home games in 32 dates this summer, starting on June 1 with the annual nonleague game against the Portland Sea Dogs. Our WCL opener is June 3 at Bend; our WCL home opener is June 14 against Kelowna. So do not miss out!

------------------------

The Walla Walla Sweets have signed first baseman Cole Rutherford, a junior at Cornell University, for the 2016 season. The 6-foot 4-inch, 225-pounder also played at Orange Coast College in California before heading east. Please click here for more information on that story, from the Our Sports Central website.

-----------------------

That is all for today. News gets a little harder to find in the offseason but we still plan to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the 2016 season starts! See you on Wednesday!

Stewart signs 2-year deal with Pittsburgh

Happy Friday, everyone.

----------------------------

We reported last week that alum Chris Stewart (2001) of Riverside Community College, our 2001 MVP and the special-guest speaker at the 2013 Hit Stove Night, had reportedly re-signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Now it's official.

Stewart and the Pirates agreed on a $3 million, two-year contract on Tuesday that avoids salary arbitration and includes a 2018 club option. He will earn $1.35 million this year and $1.4 million in 2017; Pittsburgh's option for 2018 is at $1.5 million with a $250,000 buyout.

Stewart, 33, made $1.225 million in 2015, when he hit .289 with eight doubles, 15 RBI and nine runs scored in 58 games while backing up Francisco Cervelli. He was the primary catcher for staff ace Gerrit Cole and the team went 26-10 in the games he started, including a 15-1 mark at PNC Park.

Stewart had asked for $1.6 million and had been offered $1.35 million when proposed arbitration salaries were exchanged last week.

Congrats to Stewie, a big supporter of the Knights and someone who certainly paid his dues in baseball along the way.

-------------------

Remember, our 2016 season tickets are on sale and may be purchased over the phone at 541-752-5656; by e-mail at [email protected], or online by clicking here. You can also get tickets at the WWHQ of the Corvallis Knights, on Jefferson Avenue in downtown, just east of the Jefferson-4th Street intersection.

We will play 34 home games in 32 dates this summer, starting on June 1 with the annual nonleague game against the Portland Sea Dogs. Our WCL opener is June 3 at Bend; our WCL home opener is June 14 against Kelowna. So do not miss out!

------------------------

The Victoria HarbourCats have signed six more players for the upcoming season. They are RHP Josh Burgmann, and incoming freshman at Washington; RHP Will McAffer, a freshman at South Dakota State; RHP Casey Costello, a junior at Orange Coast College; shortstop Cameron Cannon, an incoming freshman at Arizona; third baseman Dakota Dean, a senior at the University of New Orleans, and catcher Chayce Ka'aua, a junior at Hawaii-Hilo. Please click here for more information on that story, from the Our Sports Central website.

-----------------------

That is all for today. News gets a little harder to find in the offseason but we still plan to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the 2016 season starts! Have a great weekend and we will see you on Monday!

Colin Feldtman signs with Lake Erie Crushers

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

----------------------------

We have some alumni news for you today.

Right-handed pitcher Colin Feldtman (2013), one of the more popular players on our 2013 West Coast League championship team, has signed with the Lake Erie Crushers of the independent Frontier League for the upcoming season. They are based in Avon, Ohio.

The University of Portland grad spent last season with the Adelaide Bite in the Australian Baseball League, and with the Frontier Grays in the Frontier League, where he was 4-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 12 games, with 40 strikeouts in 62.2 innings.

Colin was a starter and reliever for us in 2013 and was a lot of fun to be around, as he was willing to involve himself in skits and promotions, to make a video, and to do almost anything to help the Knights. He also played two seasons for the Kitsap Blue Jackets.

Congrats to Colin. The Crushers open the season May 12.

-------------------

Remember, our 2016 season tickets are on sale and may be purchased over the phone at 541-752-5656; by e-mail at [email protected], or online by clicking here. You can also get tickets at the WWHQ of the Corvallis Knights, on Jefferson Avenue in downtown, just east of the Jefferson-4th Street intersection.

We will play 34 home games in 32 dates this summer, starting on June 1 with the annual nonleague game against the Portland Sea Dogs. Our WCL opener is June 3 at Bend; our WCL home opener is June 14 against Kelowna. So do not miss out!

------------------------

The Walla Walla Sweets have signed outfielders Alex Muzzi and Chris Fife and second baseman Jarren Duran of Long Beach State for the 2016 season. Please click here for more information on that story, from the Our Sports Central website.

-----------------------

That is all for today. News gets a little harder to find in the offseason but we still plan to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the 2016 season starts! See you on Friday.

Alum Chris Stewart re-signs with Pirates

Happy Monday, everyone.

----------------------------

We have some alumni news to report.

Former Aloha Knight Chris Stewart of the Pittsburgh Pirates, our 2001 MVP out of Riverside City College, has re-signed with the club for the 2016 season, which would be his third in the Steel City.

Here is more information from Bleacher Report:

"The Pirates acquired Stewart in December 2013 from the New York Yankees. He's served as a backup for the Pirates, first to Russell Martin in 2014 and to Francisco Cervelli last year, and he has posted solid numbers across the board.

"While not a power hitter, Stewart's slash line of .292/.340/.336 in two years with Pittsburgh ranks among the best in baseball for catchers. Only San Francisco's Buster Posey and Cervelli have higher batting averages, and his on-base percentage ranks ninth among players at the position since the start of 2014 (minimum 300 plate appearances)."

Please click here for the full story.

Congrats to Chris, a very loyal alum who was the guest of honor at our Hot Stove League II function in 2013.

-------------------

Remember, our 2016 season tickets are on sale and may be purchased over the phone at 541-752-5656; by e-mail at [email protected], or online by clicking here. You can also get tickets at the WWHQ of the Corvallis Knights, on Jefferson Avenue in downtown, just east of the Jefferson-4th Street intersection.

We will play 34 home games in 32 dates this summer, starting on June 1 with the annual nonleague game against the Portland Sea Dogs. Our WCL opener is June 3 at Bend; our WCL home opener is June 14 against Kelowna. So do not miss out!

------------------------

The Bellingham Bells have hired Tom Prizeman as their play-by-play broadcaster for the 2016 season. He was the broadcasting and media relations assistant with the Florence (Ky.) Freedom of the Frontier League, working as their play-by-play broadcaster and a pre- and post-game host.

He has also been a Broadcasting and Media Relations intern with the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, and a broadcast intern with Danbury Westerners of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

The Bells also announced the return of catcher Bron Larsen from BYU, a 2015 WCL all-star. Please click here for more information on that story, from the Our Sports Central website.

-----------------------

That is all for today. News gets a little harder to find in the offseason but we still plan to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the 2016 season starts! See you on Wednesday.

Alum Bryan Donohue named Kelowna head coach

Happy Friday, everyone.

----------------------------

We have some alumni news to report.

Former Aloha Knight Bryan Donohue (2006), presently the coach at Mt. Hood Community College, will succeed former Knights' player and assistant coach

Billy Clontz as the head coach of the Kelowna Falcons.

Clontz played for the Knights in 2006, 2008 and 2009, then assisted in 2010 and 2011 and again in 2013 before taking over the top job at Kelowna in 2014. He Clontz has accepted a full-time position with Ohlone College in San Jose and won't be able to return to the Falcons.

"We would like to thank Billy Clontz and his staff for all their hard work over the last two seasons," Kelowna general manager Mark Nonis said. "Billy was instrumental in getting the Falcons to the Championship Series" in 2015, where they lost to Bend.

Please click here for more details.

-------------------

Remember, our 2016 season tickets are on sale and may be purchased over the phone at 541-752-5656; by e-mail at [email protected], or online by clicking here. You can also get tickets at the WWHQ of the Corvallis Knights, on Jefferson Avenue in downtown, just east of the Jefferson-4th Street intersection.

We will play 34 home games in 32 dates this summer, starting on June 1 with the annual nonleague game against the Portland Sea Dogs. Our WCL opener is June 3 at Bend; our WCL home opener is June 14 against Kelowna. So do not miss out!

------------------------

The Bellingham Bells have added Pacific Lutheran pitcher Kyle Rossman and Chico State pitcher Hunter Haworth for the 2016 season. Both are returnees from the 2015 squad. Please click here for more information on that story, from the Our Sports Central website.

-----------------------

That is all for today. News gets a little harder to find in the offseason but we still plan to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the 2016 season starts! Have a great weekend, and we will see you on Monday.

Harrison, Nogosek preseason All-Americans

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

----------------------------

We have some alumni news to report.

First baseman/catcher KJ Harrison (2015) of Oregon State and pitcher Stephen Nogosek (2013) of the University of Oregon were named preseason All-Americans by Perfect Game on Monday. Harrison, a sophomore, was a first-team choice; Nogosek, a junior, was a third-team selection.

Harrison hit .309 as a freshman in 2015 and led the Pacific-12 Conference with 60 RBIs. He also had 12 doubles and 10 homers, was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, and was a unanimous Freshman All-American. He then played for us briefly before joining Team USA.

It was his second preseason honor. He was named a second-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball in December.

Nogosek was one of just six relievers selected to preseason All-America rosters. He was 6-3, 2.02 for Oregon in 2015 in 39 games in a set-up role and is expected to the team's closer in 2016. He struck out 60 batters in 58 innings and held opponents to a .196 batting average against.

Nogosek was a key member of our 2013 championship team, as a pitcher and as a part-time infielder, before his freshman year in Eugene.

Congratulations to both players. Please click here for the complete team.

-------------------

Remember, our 2016 season tickets are on sale and may be purchased over the phone at 541-752-5656; by e-mail at [email protected], or online by clicking here. You can also get tickets at the WWHQ of the Corvallis Knights, on Jefferson Avenue in downtown, just east of the Jefferson-4th Street intersection.

We will play 34 home games in 32 dates this summer, starting on June 1 with the annual nonleague game against the Portland Sea Dogs. Our WCL opener is June 3 at Bend; our WCL home opener is June 14 against Kelowna. So do not miss out!

------------------------

The Yakima Valley Pippins have signed Oregon pitcher Connor Zwetsch, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound right-hander from Westview High School in Beaverton via Western Nevada College, and Oregon State freshman catcher Alex O'Rourke of Pendleton for the 2016 season. Please click here for more information on that story, from the Our Sports Central website.

-----------------------

That is all for today. News gets a little harder to find in the offseason but we still plan to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the 2016 season starts! See you on Friday.

Quinlan, Barker on Bite's reserve list

Happy Monday, everyone.

----------------------------

Time for an update on our Knights in the Australian Baseball League, former UC Santa Barbara outfielder Scott Quinlan (2014) and former Centralia College/Central Washington pitcher Devon Barker (2012-13). They are playing for the Adelaide Bite in the Australian Baseball League this winter (summer in Australia).

Quinlan is batting .182 (2-11) in four games, with a homer and four RBIs. Barker, a lefty, is 1-0, 5.02 in 10 games, with seven strikeouts in 14.1 innings. They are both on Adelaide's reserve list at this time.

Former Knights' pitcher Liam Baron (2008-09), a native Australian, is on Perth's reserve roster and has not pitched yet.

-------------------

Remember, our 2016 season tickets are on sale and may be purchased over the phone at 541-752-5656; by e-mail at [email protected], or online by clicking here. You can also get tickets at the WWHQ of the Corvallis Knights, on Jefferson Avenue in downtown, just east of the Jefferson-4th Street intersection.

We will play 34 home games in 32 dates this summer, starting on June 1 with the annual nonleague game against the Portland Sea Dogs. Our WCL opener is June 3 at Bend; our WCL home opener is June 14 against Kelowna. So do not miss out!

------------------------

The Bellingham Bells have signed returnees Brian Way and Riley Storedahl for the upcoming season. They are right-handed pitchers from Edmonds Community College. Way is also the younger brother of former Knights' ace Matt Way, an all-WCL selection for us in 2007 out of Washington State. Please click here for more information on that story, from the Our Sports Central website.

--------------------

The Walla Walla Sweets have signed outfielder Connor Doyle a University of San Diego freshman, for the upcoming season. Please click here for more information on that story, from the Our Sports Central website.

-----------------------

That is all for today. News gets a little harder to find in the offseason but we still plan to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the 2016 season starts! See you on Wednesday.

Colton Surcamp named new ticket manager

Happy Friday, everyone.

----------------------------

We have named a familiar face as our ticket manager for the 2016 season. The newest Knight is 20156 Oregon State graduate Colton Surcamp, who worked with us last summer as an intern in the ticket office.

"I don't want to re-invent the wheel; I just want to bring some new ideas and promotional opportunities that may not have been talked about in the past" to improve attendance on historically slow nights at the box office, the Eugene native said.

He is hopeful his new job will help him get established in the sports business world, where he hopes to make a living.

"Sports have always been my hobby, my passion, what drives me," he said. "I am a very competitive person and you need that in every sphere of business. I want to have a career in sports and this is obviously a good steppingstone for that."

Please click here for more on Colton, our website. We are thrilled to have him as part of the team.

-------------------

Alum Josh Osich (2008) of the San Francisco Giants will be one of the special guest speakers at the Richmond Flying Squirrels Charity Hot Stove Banquet, set for Jan. 21 at the Siegel Center at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

A left-handed pitcher, Josh was a first-team West Coast League all-star for us in 2008 following his freshman year at Oregon State and was the pitcher of record in our title-game win over Wenatchee. He made it to the Giants this past season after spending four years in the minors and went 2-0, 2.20 in 35 games, with 27 strikeouts in 28.2 innings.

The Flying Squirrels are San Francisco's affiliate in the double-A Eastern league. Osich pitched for them in 2013, 2014 and 2015 while working his way through their organization. San Francisco infielder Matt Duffy (2010) and SF catcher Andew Susac (2009) also played in Richmond while in the minor-league system.

-----------------------

Speaking of all things tickets, our 2016 season tickets are on sale and may be purchased over the phone at 541-752-5656; by e-mail at [email protected], or online by clicking here. You can also get tickets at the WWHQ of the Corvallis Knights, on Jefferson Avenue in downtown, just east of the Jefferson-4th Street intersection.

We will play 34 home games in 32 dates this summer, starting on June 1 with the annual nonleague game against the Portland Sea Dogs. Our WCL opener is June 3 at Bend; our WCL home opener is June 14 against Kelowna. So do not miss out!

------------------------

Infielder Griffin Andreychuk of Seattle University, the MVP of the 2015 Victoria HarbourCats, will return to the team for the 2016 season. Please click here for more information on that story, from the Our Sports Central website.

-----------------------

That is all for today. News gets a little harder to find in the offseason but we still plan to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the 2016 season starts! Have a great weekend, and we will see you on Monday.

Knights' 2016 roster finalized

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

----------------------------

Our 2016 roster is now finalized, at least for the moment. We know there will be additions and subtractions as we get closer to the season but we are excited about the talent we've assembled for the upcoming season.

It features 12 returnees from 2015, including junior slugger Michael Farris of UC Riverside. He led the Knights in home runs (5) and RBIs (32) last summer. The right-handed hitting third baseman/first baseman also earned honorable-mention all-WCL honors.

Please click here for more on our roster, from our website. And please click here for the entire roster.

-----------------------

Our 2016 season tickets are on sale and may be purchased over the phone at 541-752-5656; by e-mail at [email protected], or online by clicking here. You can also get tickets at the WWHQ of the Corvallis Knights, on Jefferson Avenue in downtown, just east of the Jefferson-4th Street intersection.

We will play 34 home games in 32 dates this summer, starting on June 1 with the annual nonleague game against the Portland Sea Dogs. Our WCL opener is June 3 at Bend; our WCL home opener is June 14 against Kelowna. So do not miss out!

------------------------

The Bellingham Bells have promoted two key front office staff members to expanded roles for the 2016 season. General Manager Nick Caples will assume the new role of Vice-President of Operations, and Assistant General Manager Stephanie Morrell will be promoted to the role of General Manager. Congrats to both administrators, key factors in the dramatic revival of that franchise. Please click here for more information, from the Our Sports Central website.

-----------------------

That is all for today. News gets a little harder to find in the offseason but we still plan to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the 2016 season starts! See you on Friday.