Aldaz Gets First Professional Hit

SAUGET, IL – The Florence Freedom took a 10-9 lead in the ninth inning on a Gateway Grizzlies error, their seventh of the game, and held on for a 10-9 win in the finale of the three-game series at GCS Ballpark. A crowd of 6,010 came to the game. It was the second largest crowd of the season and 20^th biggest in franchise history.

After trailing 9-4, the Grizzlies rallied for four runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to tie the game at nine, heading into the final inning. The one-run loss was the third of such kind during the six-game home stand for Gateway.

Florence (16-11) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with the help of a familiar face. One night after he gave the Freedom an 8-7 ninth inning lead with a three-run homer, Chris Curley slammed a two-run homer to get the Freedom on the board first.

The Freedom added two more runs in the second as Curley produced again. After two errors, a double and a walk, Curley drove in two more with a double.

Gateway (13-14) got on the board in the second on a Johnny Aldaz two-run single, his first professional hit and RBI.

Gateway tied the game in the fourth with one swing of the bat. After a two-out error on Florence shortstop Junior Arrojo, Australian infielder Jeremy Cresswell notched his first homer in the United States.

Florence wasted no time getting the lead back as they scored four runs on three hits in the fifth inning. Stephen Shults drove in a run on a double and Jimmy Baker knocked home three with his fourth homer of the season.

Aldaz went 2-for-3 and newcomer Evan Button finished 2-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs in his Gateway debut.

The Grizzlies begin a three-game series on the road with Normal on Sunday. Right-hander Brad Stone will get the start in game one of the series, his first with the Grizzlies. First pitch is set for 6:00.

Aldaz Signs Professional Contract

Knight's All-American catcher, Johnny Aldaz, signed a professional contract with the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League on Wednesday.

It didn't take long until he saw his first action as he was a late inning replacement at first base and was called upon to lay down a sac bunt, not something he did very often in 2011 with Northwood. He was more likely to be seen hitting a towering home run, as he hit a Knights single season record 21 home runs.

Humes Gets Another Walk Off Hit

Down by one run, Duluth Huskies generated a 9th inning rally Monday night, and Adam Humes (Northwood) capped it off with a two out walk-off single which scored two runs to complete the Huskies' three game sweep over the Thunder Bay Border Cats. It was the Huskies' third walk-off of 2011 and also increased their home record to 7-1 on the season.

Jacob Rice (Arkansas) made his debut for Duluth and led off the bottom of the 9th with a double down the left field line, and Tyler Palmer (Florida) followed with a walk. After a Kevin Kuntz (Kansas) sacrifice bunt, pinch hitter Jake Wise (Arkansas) was intentionally walked to load the bases. A close force out at home plate tallied the second out of the inning when Humes came to the plate and finished the rally.

Humes finished the game going 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, and Andrew Dixon (Purdue) was also 2 for 4 on the night. Dylan Thomas (Des Moines Area CC) finished the game strong and picked up the win for the Huskies, allowing no hits and striking out six in three innings of work.

The Huskies will hit the road for a nine game road trip, but be back at Wade Stadium to face off against the Rochester Honkers on Thursday, June 23rd. The game will feature Amp Energy Racing Night presented by Bernicks Pepsi, where lawnmower races will be held during the game. It will also be Thirsty Thursday, where all domestic beer will be half price including Bud and Bud Light 16oz cans in the stands. Game time will be at 7:05pm, with the gates opening at 6:05pm.

Taylor Signs With Blue Jays

After being selected in the 38th round by the Toronto Blue Jays, Niko Taylor will begin his professional career next week after reporting to Florida today.

Taylor transferred to Northwood from Texas State in the fall of 2010. Taylor was a mainstay in center field for the Knights in 2011 but will likely move to left field while in the Blue Jays system.

"I am so happy for Niko, he is a tireless worker and deserves to get a chance to prove himself. He has persevered through some adversity to get to this point and I am happy to see him have so much success this spring" said Jeremy Kennedy.

Taylor's season ranked him nationally in several offensive categories;

4th in runs scored per game

4th in total bases per game

5th in hits per game

9th in total hits

9th in total runs scored

12th in total doubles

12th in doubles per game

12th in total bases

13th in RBI per game

15th in total triples
20th in RBI

Humes Hits Game Winner In Northwoods League

Adam Humes hit the walk-off single to defeat the Mankato MoonDogs 4-3 in the game at Wade Stadium on Monday night. With two outs, Tyler Palmer reached first on a line drive up over the second baseman’s head. Palmer advanced to second and Mike Bisenius reached first on an error by the shortstop. Chris Manship hit an RBI single to score Palmer and advance Bisenius to third. The walk –off single came from Adam Humes which scored Bisenius to win the game.

The Huskies out hit the MoonDogs with 14 hits to the MoonDogs’ four. Tyler King started for the Huskies giving up one unearned run in six innings and striking out seven. Anders Dzurak earned the win, pitching three innings, giving up two runs, one earned. Ethan Opsahl received the loss for the MoonDogs by pitching 2.1 innings. He gave up three runs, one earned, and striking out three.

Andrew Dixon went 4 for 4 and catcher Chris Manship went 3 for 5 with two RBIs.

The Huskies host the MoonDogs one more time tomorrow during the noon game. Huskies pitcher Ryan Gibbard is to take on the MoonDogs’ Matt Mazzoni.

Knights All-American Niko Taylor Drafted By Toronto

Sophomore outfielder, Niko Taylor was selected in the 38th round of the MLB First Year Player Draft today.

Taylor had a breakout year for the Knights, batting .418 with 21 doubles, 6 triples, 9 homeruns, and 66 RBI. For his efforts Taylor was selected as a 2nd Team All-American along with being named to the RRAC 1st Team.

Taylor will now decide if he wants to sign with the Blue Jays or return for his junior year at Northwood.

Taylor is the second outfielder to be drafted in the last two years joining RJ Harris who was selected in the 14th round in 2009 by the NY Mets.

Knights Land 2 On All-American Teams

Knights catcher, Johnny Aldaz was selected to the NAIA All-American First Team on Monday. Aldaz is the first Knight to earn such an honor in the history of the program. Teammate Niko Taylor was also named to the second team as an outfielder.

Aldaz had a record breaking senior season as he matched Ken Guthrie's the single season home run record and broke Carey Crain's single season RBI record. The most impressive aspect of Aldaz's season was that it was done in the first year of the new BBCore bats which have significantly reduced offensive numbers across all of college baseball.

Aldaz completed his senior season and will be closely watching the 2011 MLB draft hopeing to hear his name called.

Taylor, a sophmore transfer from Texas State will also be keeping a close eye on the draft which will determine if he will return for his junior season with the Knights.