Hard-Hitting Nichols Returns
March 26, 2009 - The Dubois County Bombers of the Prospect League (formerly the CICL) have announced that outfielder Daniel Nichols will return for his second season with the team this summer. Nichols, a Newburgh, Ind. native, started 42 games for the Bombers a year ago. He had 12 RBI and scored 17 runs.

Nichols is batting .392 in 23 games this season at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Ill. The 6-foot, 185-pound sophomore leads the Warriors with eight homeruns and 29 RBI. He also has 31 hits, tied for the team lead. Nichols batted .371 with a team-high six homeruns as a freshman.

"We're very excited that Daniel Nichols will be with us again this summer," said Assistant General Manager Jace Gonnerman. "As one of our returning players from last year's club, we expect him to be a leader on and off the field and help our new players with the transition to the Prospect League. He'll be counted on to have another strong season for us. With Daniel and the four other outfielders already on the roster, we may have the most talented group of outfielders in the league."


Elite Southpaw Bugary Returns to Bombers
March 23, 2009 - The Dubois County Bombers of the Prospect League (formerly the CICL) have announced that standout pitcher Michael Bugary will be back with the team in 2009. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound left-hander had a 2-2 record and a 3.55 ERA in 10 appearances for the Bombers last season. His 51 strikeouts led the Bombers and were fifth-most in the league.

Bugary is currently enjoying an outstanding season at Cal-Berkeley. In 10 games coming out of the bullpen for the Golden Bears this spring, the junior has a 3-0 record with a save and a 1.64 ERA. In 22.0 innings pitched, Bugary has a team-leading 35 strikeouts.

"We're thrilled to have Michael Bugary back with the Bombers in 2009," said Assistant General Manager Jace Gonnerman. "He had a strong season for us last year and his numbers this spring in college are incredible. He's one of the top left-handed pitchers in the country right now. No doubt about it. Bugary is going to be a crucial part of our pitching staff this summer."

Catcher Krist Joins Bombers
March 13, 2009 - The Dubois County Bombers of the Prospect League (formerly the CICL) have signed freshman catcher Chadd Krist from Cal-Berkeley. Krist has played in three games this season for the Golden Bears. He is 2-for-6 with a double.

As a senior at Petaluma High School in Petaluma, Calif., Krist was named 2008 Press Democrat-Petaluma Athlete of the Year. A .359 career hitter in high school, Krist also had 31 doubles, three triples, seven homers and 73 RBI. He was caught stealing only three times in 33 stolen base attempts.

"Chadd Krist is gaining valuable experience playing behind standout Dylan Tonneson at Cal-Berkeley this spring," said Assistant General Manager Jace Gonnerman. "We expect him to come to Dubois County this summer and be
a big contributor with the bat and behind the plate as one of the catchers on the 2009 Bombers. Krist will be outstanding before all is said and done."

Bombers Sign California Shortstop
March 9, 2009 - The Dubois County Bombers of the Prospect League (formerly the CICL) have signed shortstop Kyle Richardson from Cal-State Bakersfield. Through eight games, the 5-foot-9 Sacramento native is batting .323 with three doubles, a home run, and nine RBIs.

Prior to transferring to Bakersfield, Richardson spent two years at Sierra College in Rocklin, Calif. As a sophomore, he led the Wolverines to a 2008 California Community College State Championship. Richardson finished his sophomore campaign as a First Team All-Big 8 Selection and compiled a gaudy .346 batting average while leading the Big 8 in runs scored.

Richardson spent the 2008 summer playing for the Folsom Pioneers of the wood-bat Sierra Baseball League. He compiled a .388 batting average and eight doubles to finish at the top of the league. For his efforts, Richardson was named to the league's all-star game.

"Kyle Richardson was a no-brainer for us to take as a middle infielder," said General Manager John Bigness. "He possesses a talented left-handed bat, he can run, and he's about as sure-handed as they come in the infield. Bomber fans will love watching Richardson play this summer."

Bombers Sign Standout Shortstop
February 28, 2009 - The Dubois County Bombers of the Prospect League (formerly the CICL) have signed shortstop Mills Rogers from Carson-Newman College. Rogers, currently a junior, is enjoying an outstanding season for the Eagles. Through 19 games, the 6-foot infielder is batting .319 with six doubles, a home run, 12 RBIs, and a team-leading 17 runs scored.

As a sophomore, Rogers started all 61 of Carson-Newman's games and batted .286 with nine doubles and three home runs. The Simpsonville, S.C. native will be one of the Bombers' primary options in the middle infield during the 2009 summer.

"Mills Rogers continues the history of great Carson-Newman players in Dubois County following Steve Cishek, Langdon Potts, and Justin Higdon," said General Manager John Bigness in a statement. "He's really starting to come into his own during his junior season and we can't wait to have him here."

Bombers Sign JUCO All-American Outfielder
February 12, 2009 - The Bombers of the Prospect League (formerly the CICL) have signed outfielder Noah Wethington of Black Hawk (Ill.) College. As a freshman under Head Coach Arnie Chavera, Wethington batted .389 with 14 doubles, three triples, four home runs, and 37 RBIs. The 6-foot- 1, 190-pound outfielder led the team in nearly every statistical category. For his efforts, Wethington was selected All-Arrowhead Conference and All-Region.

Following his outstanding 2008 campaign, Wethington was selected as a 2009 JUCO Pre-Season All-American. In addition to his talented bat, Wethington also possesses the elite level speed needed to cover the cavernous League Stadium outfield. "We're extremely happy to be able to sign a player of Noah's caliber," said General Manager John Bigness. "He came highly recommended to Manager Brian Smiley by several Illinois area professional scouts and likely has a professional future. He has every tool you look for in an outfielder and should be outstanding for us this summer."

Bombers Sign Indiana University Southpaw
February 5, 2009 - The Dubois County Bombers of the Prospect League (formerly the CICL) have signed left-handed pitcher Matt Igel from Indiana University. Matt joined the Hoosiers this fall after a standout prep career at Vincennes Rivet High School. As a senior the 6-foor-3, 240-pound Igel went 7-3 with a 0.73 ERA and a whopping 136 strikeouts in 67 innings for the 1A school. Following the year Igel garnered a multitude of honors including All-Area Player of the Year, All-Blue Chip Conference and All-Southwestern Indiana.

"We're very excited to have Matt on board," said General Manager John Bigness. "He's from the area and had an outstanding high school career. Anytime you can find a 6'3" lefty who throws in the upper 80s, it's a great addition to the squad. He should play a big role this summer."

Bombers Sign High School All-American Lefty
January 28, 2009 - The Dubois County Bombers of the Prospect League (formerly the CICL) have signed left-handed pitcher Phillip Byrd from the University of South Alabama. Byrd, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound freshman is a native of Moss Point, Miss.

The towering southpaw went undefeated with a 14-0 record and a 0.97 ERA in 94.0 innings pitched as a senior at East Central High School in Hurley, Miss. He added 165 strikeouts for an impressive 15.8 strikeouts per nine innings. For his efforts Phillip was Named Second-Team All-American by MaxPreps. The same publication also declared him "the top pitcher in Mississippi."

South Alabama Coach Steve Kittrell had good things to say about his freshman left-hander this past October: "Phillip Byrd had a very good fall. He's a guy that we think is going to see a lot of action as a freshman. He flat-out knows how to pitch, and he locates very well for a freshman."

Bombers Sign St. Joe's Duo
January 8, 2009 -- The Dubois County Bombers have signed St. Joseph's College (Ind.) standouts Chris Chojnowski and Sean Estand for the 2009 summer. Chojnowski and Estand graduated from St. Rita High School in Chicago in 2007.

Chojnowski, a sophomore right-handed pitcher, has the potential to the one of the top pitchers in the entire Prospect League. The 6' 5", 225-pound flame-thrower possesses a fastball that clocks in the low 90s and dominated the opposition in 2008. Chojnowski finished 2008 as one of the best freshman pitchers in the country, going 7-1 with a 1.35 ERA in 66 innings of work while allowing 44 hits.

Sean Estand played his freshman season at Eastern Illinois University before transferring to St. Joseph's College this fall. The 6' 2", 200-pound Chicago, Illinois native was considered the best defensive third basemen in the state of Illinois his senior year and also excelled on the mound with an 88-90 mph fastball. He is expected to bat in the heart of the line-up for St. Joe's this spring.

The Bombers are excited about the impact that this talented duo will make during the 2009 summer.

Bombers Sign Local Talent Katter, Merkley
December 12, 2008 -- The Dubois County Bombers of the Prospect League (formerly the Central Illinois Collegiate League) have signed local products Derek Katter and Brett Merkley for the 2009 summer.

Katter, a 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore outfielder at Vincennes University, played his high school ball in Dubois County at Jasper High School where he was an honorable-mention all-state selection as a senior. As a freshman at Vincennes University, Katter batted .354 with 10 doubles, four triples, and 29 RBIs on a 32-19 Trailblazer Squad. The Bombers will heavily depend on Katter's talented left-handed bat and speed in the outfield this summer.

Merkley, a 5-foot-11, 165-pound, sophomore pitcher at Indiana State University, joins a talented Bomber pitching staff. Merkley spent his freshman season at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne before transferring to the Sycamores. Despite being forced to sit out the collegiate season due to transfer rules, he quickly impressed his new coaches in practice this fall. The right-handed Merkley, whose fastball has been consistently clocked in the 88-92 mph range will be used in a variety of roles by the Bombers. Merkley is a graduate of Forest Park High School in Ferdinand, Ind.

Merkley and Katter were both part of a very talented Jasper Reds team that defeated the Bombers by a score of 4-3 last summer. Merkley closed out the contest on the mound for the Reds by holding the Bombers scoreless over the final two innings.

"Merkley and Katter both stood out to us last summer when we played the Reds," said Bomber Owner John Bigness. "It was easy to seethat they both more than belonged on the Bombers and could hold their own in this very talented league. Katter is a strong left-handed bat and possesses blazing speed to cover the large outfield at League Stadium. Merkley is a hard-throwing pitcher who will come to us very fresh after his redshirt year at Indiana State. I think you'll see him pitch in a variety of roles and be a major contributor. It's a luxury to be able to find such talented prospects locally. We're excited to have them on board."

Bomber News Archive
December 2008 - March 2009