Summer Baseball Updates

Tyler Brunnemann continues to sport a 0.00 ERA and has a 1-1 record with six saves in 14 and two-third innings with 22 strikeouts and only 10 hits allowed.

James Simmons has a 3.18 ERA in three appearances.

Chris Matthews went 2-for-4 in his most recent game in

Here is an update from Chris Matthews.

I'm up in Eagle River, Alaska playing for the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks in the Alaska Baseball League. This is the first year for the team in this new location after being in Fairbanks the past few years. This team is affiliated with Athletes in Action, glorifying God through our playing and learning more about Him to teach others about His love.  The scenery up here is unreal, and to see God's creation up here is breathtaking.  There are 6 teams in this league and the winner goes on to the NBC World Series in Wichita, KS.

This league is made up of some of the better D1 players around the lower 48. Out of all the summer leagues I've played in, this is definitely the best one I've played in with the higher caliber speed of the game.  All the teams and stadiums up here have a lot of history to them and have had a lot of professionals come through them.  I've been learning different ways to adjust my swing and simplify things and how my approach should be against this higher level of pitching.

The weather up here is unlike anything I've ever experienced during the summer before. Temperatures vary between 55-65 degrees and there is still snow on the mountains. Last summer I was playing in Arizona for the Casa Grande Cotton Kings (ended up 13th in the NBC World Series with that team) and temps were above 110 easily and coming here this summer has been a nice getaway from the heat.

Playing and catching in games every day of the week, even doubleheaders some days, is a great way to feel how it is to play a professional-type schedule and against that type of competition.