Pippins Sign Two CWU Pitchers
March 4, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
YAKIMA, Wash.-The Yakima Valley Pippins are proud to announce the signing of two Central Washington University (CWU) pitchers. Brandon Williams and Mitch Yada will make the short trip from Ellensburg to County Stadium this summer to help the Pippins compete for a WCL Championship. Williams is the ace of the CWU staff while Yada is currently redshirting after transferring from Wenatchee Valley College (WVC).
"Being able to bring in players from CWU is great," Director of Operations Noel Zanchelli said."The quality of baseball has been the tradition in the Valley. As an organization this is first step in establishing a relationship with Central. We want this relationship to become beneficial for both us and CWU."
In his first year as a Wildcat Williams has already made a name for himself at the top of the rotation. He made his way to Ellensburg after transferring from Mount Hood Community College (MHCC). The Auburn, Wash. native played a vital role in Mt. Hood's 31-14 record and 2013 Northwest Athletic Association Community Colleges (NWAACC) Baseball Championship appearance. He pitched 43 1/3 innings compiling a 5-2 record with 36 strikeouts. Last summer for the Medford Rogues he pitched 48 2/3 innings striking out 45 while posting a 4-3 record.
"Williams has the talent and pitchability to start in our rotation from day one," Pippins Manager Marcus McKimmy said, "But he may be more valuable for the Pippins out of the bullpen in order to use him more often than once every six days."
Yada a native of Moses Lake and graduate of Moses Lake High School was a standout for the WVC Knights and the Wenatchee Applesox of the WCL last summer. Last spring for Knights he posted a 6-2 record with a 2.28 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 59 innings of work. As an Applesox he made 12 appearances working 25 1/3 innings striking out 20 and posting a 2-1 record.
"Mitch is an Eastern Washington guy who will be one of our top LHP out of the bullpen," McKimmy said. "He can really control the run game and averages about a strikeout an inning. We love his toughness and he too brings invaluable experience after pitching in Wenatchee last summer".
The Yakima Valley Pippins will begin their quest for a WCL Championship at Yakima County Stadium on June 6th, 2014 at 7:05 P.M. against East Division rival Wenatchee. Tickets are now on sale for the 2014 season, including full-season and partial-season packages, as well as select team merchandise. Those interested in being part of something great from the start are asked to contact Noel Zanchelli at 206.271.7820 or by email at noel@pippinsbaseball.com .
You can reach the Pippins offices at 509-575-HITS (4487). The team store, stadium improvements and other fan-friendly amenity projects will begin in early spring 2014.
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West Coast League Stories from March 4, 2014
- Pippins Sign Two CWU Pitchers - Yakima Valley Pippins
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