Lunkers ink 4 more players to contracts

The Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers of the Northwoods League signed four players to contracts for this summer according to team owner and general manager Joel Sutherland.

The Lunkers inked freshman teammates Ryan Hawthorne and Shon Roe from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and University of New Orleans pitcher Mats Mattson and Rhodes College of Memphis pitcher Taylor Babich.

Hawthorne, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, is hitting .330 with 10 doubles and 25 RBIs in 45 games for the Lions. Hawthorne, originally from Grenada Hills, CA, will be a duel player for the Lunkers as he also is a left-handed pitcher.

Joining Hawthorne from Los Angeles will be 6-2, 185-pound infielder Roe, who is hitting .262 with three home runs, 10 doubles and 31 RBI in 45 games as the starting shortstop for the Lions.

Mattson, a 6-7, 195-pound left-handed pitcher, is a red-shirt sophomore from San Diego. He is currently 3-1 with 11 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings for the Privateers.

Joining Mattson in the Lunkers bullpen will be 6-3, 200-pound sophomore right handed pitcher Babich. He is leading the Lynx with six wins and has 53 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings.

"This is a versatile group of players who will bring a lot to the

table for us this summer," Sutherland said. "With 68 games in about 74 days, it's important for us to have depth and variety across the entire roster."

The Lunkers Field Manager Ryan Levendoski and Sutherland will continue to build the roster until play begins in late May. The Lunkers home opener, presented by Cub Foods, is May 28th at Mills Field. Game time is 7:05. For more information call the Lunkers office at 218-824-3474 or visit lunkersbaseball.com.