Flyers Pitcher Keppen Captures NL Central Honor
August 28, 2002 - Northern League (NL)
Schaumburg Flyers News Release
SCHAUMBURG, IL- Schaumburg Flyers RHP Dusty Keppen has been named as the 2002 Northern League-Central Rookie Pitcher Of The Year. The award, which was handed down on Wednesday, is sponsored by Daktronics. "We are all very happy for Dusty. He has been a strong and consistent performer throughout the year, " said Flyers Director of Baseball Operations Eric Tholen. Each Central Division manager and one media representative from each N.L. city was allowed a vote, making Keppen the second Schaumburg Flyer in a row to win the honor. Billy Coleman of Sioux Falls won in 2001 while donning a Schaumburg uniform.
Keppen, 25, anchored the Flyers bullpen for a majority of the season before transitioning into a starting role, has posted a team high nine saves, a 3-2 won/lost record and a 3.40 ERA. The Kennesaw, GA resident returned from a stay on the disabled list on Tuesday in Winnipeg. He earned his first victory as a starting pitcher on August 10 in Duluth.
Keppen, who returned to the Northern League ranks in '02 after a two-year absence, became the first Flyer pitcher to be selected for the Northern League All-Star Game this year. The August 6 extravaganza in Quebec City saw the righthander throw a scoreless inning in the Central's 12-3 win over the East. The former Division II All-American pitched in the Northern League in 1999, appearing in 17 games as a rookie with the Sioux Falls Canaries. After the 1999 campaign, Keppen was named Pitching Coach at his alma mater, Kennesaw (GA) St. University. He decided to resume his playing career last off-season and signed with Schaumburg in January.
Dusty ranks second on Schaumburg's career saves list and is also one save shy of tying the team's single-season record for saves. Keppen is the younger brother of former Flyers pitcher Jeff Keppen, a Northern League All-Star for Winnipeg in 2000.
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