Pippins Announce Two Gonzaga University Signees, Nonleague Schedule
November 25, 2015 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
Yakima Valley Pippins Signee Jace Van De Brake
(Yakima Valley Pippins)
YAKIMA, Wash. - Former West Valley High School standout Jace Van De Brake will return to the Yakima Valley Pippins for the 2016 season, the team announced Wednesday while also revealing its nonleague schedule.
Van De Brake, a redshirt freshman from Gonzaga University, is a welcome returnee, manager Marcus McKimmy said.
"What a great opportunity for our organization and our fans to have Jace back for a second summer," McKimmy said. "I expect to see improvement in all phases of Jace's game this spring after a really good summer here in 2015. A left-handed hitter who can run, play multiple positions and who will be stronger and smarter than he was in 2015, makes coaching him again really exciting for me."
Van De Brake hit .275 (52 for 189) with six doubles, four triples and 23 RBI in 52 games for the Pippins last year. He also drew 30 walks and stole 14 bases.
Joining Van De Brake from Gonzaga is junior catcher Zach Bonneau, who played in the West Coast League last summer in Victoria, British Columbia.
"Zach will make an immediate impact for us with his defensive skills behind home plate," McKimmy said. "He's an above-average receiver, blocker and thrower who has a great feel for calling pitches.
"I'm happy that Gonzaga has once again entrusted our organization with the development of their student-athletes," McKimmy said. "They have been an integral part of our success the past two seasons."
The Pippins also announced three nonleague games to round out the team's 30-game home schedule. Yakima Valley will host the Northwest Honkers on Tuesday, June 7, and the West Coast Guns on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 26-27, general manager Jeff Garretson said. All three games will start at 7:05 p.m.
The Pippins' 2016 league schedule was released Oct. 27.
The Pippins' two-day Small Business Saturday holiday sale begins at 10 a.m. Friday at Hunky Shaw's Team Shop, 12 S. Second St. in the historic Larson Building in downtown Yakima. Season ticket memberships and several popular mini-ticket plans, including the $2 Tuesday plan and the Fireworks Five plan, are on sale by visiting the team store, calling 509-575-4487 or at pippinsbaseball.com.
Images from this story
 Yakima Valley Pippins Signee Zach Bonneau |
 Yakima Valley Pippins Signee Jace Van De Brake |
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West Coast League Stories from November 25, 2015
- Pippins Announce Two Gonzaga University Signees, Nonleague Schedule - Yakima Valley Pippins
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