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Northwoods Green Bay Rockers

Family Fun: Strunc, Donovan Brothers Compete with Bullfrogs

June 5, 2015 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Green Bay Rockers News Release


Green Bay Bullfrogs at the Plate
Green Bay Bullfrogs at the Plate
(Green Bay Rockers)

Green Bay, Wis.- It is rare to have one pair of brothers on a baseball team in the Northwoods League. The Bullfrogs have two. Tommy (Creighton) and Jack (Washington State) Strunc join Ryan (Hofstra) and Connor (Lehigh) Donovan as they use their summer collegiate seasons to compete side-by-side.

Neither the Strunc or Donovan brothers play on the same NCAA team. And both sets are of different collegiate classes. Right-handed pitcher, Tommy Strunc, will be a senior for the Blue Jays, while Jack heads into his sophomore season. Older brother Ryan Donovan will be a senior in the fall, while Connor leads into his junior semester in Bethlehem, PA.

Having not played with each other throughout portions of their high school careers, playing in the Northwoods League, on the same club, is an opportunity they all were looking forward to fulfilling.

"We only played one year together in high school," said Tommy. "I thought it would be fun for his first year, and my last year, to be on the same team and get that summer ball experience together."

While Tommy has tossed two scoreless innings of relief, Jack has melded in as an instant impact performer in the middle infield and at designated hitter. The Strunc brothers are from Highlands Ranch, CO.

Before the 7-3 win against the Madison Mallards on Thursday, the Strunc duo showcased some sibling rivalry in a wiffle ball, home-run derby. Jack won with a blast to left field, as the whole team watched from overhead.

That was the same day that Connor Donovan arrived to the Duck Pond before the game. Brother Ryan was all smiles as Connor cracked deep shots to left field in batting practice, the newest Bullfrog. Their father, Jim, was there too. The first fan through the turnstiles, he left a proud father after Ryan finished with two hits, starting at first base, including a line-drive 2-RBI base hit to open up a five run Bullfrogs lead in the ninth.

"There's really no better feeling than playing with my big brother. He's the person that introduced me to baseball," said Connor. "I've always looked up to him on the baseball field and it's a special feeling being able to play with him once again."

Ryan Donovan reflected back on when the two played in high school together. They hit back-to-back in the order at the Pennington School in New Jersey for two seasons.

"In one game actually we hit back to back home runs [in high school]," said Ryan. "It was a no brainer to add Connor to the team because he's a very talented player....hopefully we can contribute to the Frogs winning a championship this year."

You can listen to all Bullfrogs games on WOCO 107.1FM-Oconto/Oconto Falls and home games on the live Northwoods League webcast.

Group tickets, season tickets and 7-game packages are on sale now. The Bullfrogs off-season hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information please visit www.greenbaybullfrogs.com.




Images from this story

Green Bay Bullfrogs at the Plate
Green Bay Bullfrogs at the Plate
   

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