Bombers Sign Local Talent
The Bombers have signed Dubois County natives Derek Katter and Brett Merkley for the 2009 summer. Katter, a graduate of Jasper High School will man the outfield. Merkley, who spent his high school days at Forest Park, joins the Bombers as a right-handed pitcher. For more information, vist the news tab at the top of the page for the release.
Feature Stories
As the T's get crossed, and the I's get dotted, the final touches are being put on what should be a great season for the Dubois County Bombers. Players from all over the country will make their treks into the strange new land known as collegiate summer baseball. Along with the use of an unfamiliar tool, wooden bats, come the new places and new faces. But for a handful of players, a connection lies further than the jersey they will wear this summer. Jon Hotta, Kyle Richardson, Michael Bugary, Chadd Krist, and Sam Konnoff all share the California Connection. These five Bombers represent the Golden State.
Catcher Chadd Krist , from Petaluma, Calif., will be part of a two-man backstop. Krist, a freshman at U.C. Berkeley, was named as the 2008 Press-Democrat Athlete of the Year. The three-time first team All-Redwood Empire player completed high school with an outstanding .359 batting average, 31 doubles, three triples and seven home runs, while also amassing 73 RBI with an impressive 91% success rate in stolen base attempts. Krist has appeared in 24 games for the Cal Bears with 14 starts. With 54 at-bats Krist has accumulated five extra-base hits, 10 RBI and has displayed superior defensive skills with a .992 fielding percentage. Playing behind a standout junior catcher at UCB, Krist is expected to make a big splash and snag the starting job as early as next year.
Another Cal Bear will be returning to the Bombers for his second season. Michael Bugary has emerged as one of the nations top pitchers after being plagued with injuries in prior years. In the summer of 2008 Bugary made 10 appearances for the Bombers, including eight starts. The lefty posted a solid 3.55 ERA in 45.1 innings pitched and finished atop the league in strikeouts with 51. In 27 appearances for the Bears this season, the Salinas, Calif. native has complied a record of 3-4 with a 4.15 ERA in 47.2 innings pitched. He also leads the team with 65 strikeouts showcasing a low to mid 90's fastball. "We're looking forward to Michael rejoining the Bombers this summer," said assistant general manager Jace Gonnerman. "We see Michael as not only one of the team's top pitchers, but as one of the top pitchers in the league as well".
University of San Diego centerfielder John Hotta will be patrolling the outfield of League Stadium this summer and also brings a solid bat to the team. While attending high school in Oceanside, Calif. he was a two-time second-team All-Avacado League performer who helped his team reach the CIF Finals his senior year, hitting .360 with 24 stolen bases. "John is playing as a true freshman at San Diego, one of the elite programs in the country year in and year out," said manager Brian Smiley. "He comes highly recommended by Mark Viramontes, manager of the DuPage Country Dragons. He's a switch-hitter with good speed and very sure-handed in center field. We were lucky to be able to find a player of John's ability late in April." Hotta is batting .287 with two doubles, two triples and 21 RBI for the Toreros. He should be one of the standout centerfielders in the league and has a very bright future.
Kyle Richardson will man the middle infield this coming summer. This Sacramento native spent his 2008 summer tearing up the Sierra Baseball League for the Folsom Pioneers. He finished at the top of the league with an extraordinary .388 batting average adding eight doubles, a triple and six stolen bases. In his sophomore season at Sierra Junior College he helped lead the Wolverines to the 2008 California Community College State Championship and was a first team All-Big 8 Conference selection. Kyle tied for sixth in the state California with 56 runs scored, 16th in stolen base percentage (.885), and 19th in stolen bases (23). He had a .346 batting average in 2008 and led the Big 8 in runs scored and stolen bases. Now playing for CSU Bakersfield, he leads the team batting .304 with 16 extra base hits and 27 RBI. Richardson should continue his dominance in the Prospect League.
The last piece of the California puzzle is first baseman Sam Konnoff . The returning Bomber will provide a strong presence from the left side of the plate. He batted .254 including four doubles for the Bombers in 2008. "Konnoff is a sweet swinging lefty who gets on base with great consistency," said assistant general manager Jace Gonnerman. "We expect him to improve on his numbers from an already stellar first season with the Bombers." Konnoff is currently a bright star on a talent-loaded San Benardino Valley College baseball team, batting .338 with 11 extra base hits and 35 RBI in 40 games this season. With great power to the gaps and above solid defensive skills, Konnoff should surge this summer for the Bombers.
The Dubois County Bombers play a 55-game schedule with 28 home games at League Stadium in Huntingburg. The 2009 home opener is an exhibition game against the Jasper Reds on Wednesday, June 3 at 7:05pm. The Bombers first Prospect League home game is on Friday, June 5 at 7:05pm against the Danville Dans.
The California Connection
Check back frequently for new stories from your Dubois County Bombers. All feature stories are written by Vincent Pizzi, who will be serving as the media intern for the Bombers in 2009.
May 21st, 2009