Two Woodchucks Honored as Northwoods League “Finest in the Field”
2024 Top Defenders in Baseball and Softball Rewarded for Best Fielding Percentages
Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League has announced the recipients of the 2024 Rawlings ‘Finest in the Field’ Award for both baseball and softball. The annual award recognizes the top fielders at each position and the winners are selected based on final fielding statistics compiled by the Northwoods League. This season, two players from the Wausau Woodchucks were recognized for their outstanding performance in the field.
Jake Berkland (Minnesota State – Mankato) appeared at shortstop in 58 games for the Woodchucks during the 2024 season and played in the most innings of any Woodchuck this year at 500. During this time, he maintained a .960 fielding percentage with 77 put-outs and recording 29 double plays, more than any player on the team. Berkland was very dependable in middle infield, and frequently made exciting plays across the diamond.
Max Galvin (Miami) appeared in the Northwoods League All-Star Game for the Woodchucks in 2024 for good reason. Galvin played 488 innings in 58 games, maintaining a .993 fielding percentage with most of his time spent in the outfield. Over the course of the season, he recorded 131 put-outs with only 1 error.
The 2024 Rawlings ‘Finest in the Field’ Award recipients and their fielding percentages are below.
|
Position
|
Player
|
NWL Team
|
Fielding Percentage
|
|
C
|
Cashel Dugger
Hilary Blomberg
|
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
Madison Night Mares
|
.996
.983
|
|
1B
|
Carter Hain
Paige Zender
|
Traverse City Pit Spitters
Mankato Habaneros
|
.994
.979
|
|
2B
|
Ryan McKay
Carly Oliver
|
Royal Oak Leprechauns
Madison Night Mares
|
.986
.967
|
|
3B
|
Michael Flaherty
Kayla Thomas
|
Kokomo Jackrabbits
Madison Night Mares
|
.967
.972
|
|
SS
|
Jake Berkland
Tia Durst
|
Wausau Woodchucks
Madison Night Mares
|
.976
.984
|
|
OF
|
Matthew Miura
Ashlee Chantos
|
La Crosse Loggers
La Crosse Steam
|
1.000
1.000
|
|
OF
|
Max Galvin
Trinity Gregg
|
Wausau Woodchucks
Minot Honeybees
|
.993
.980
|
|
OF
|
Lucas Moore
Rylee Rogers
|
Waterloo Bucks
Madison Night Mares
|
.993
.977
|
|
P
|
Ethan Cole
Jessa Snippes
|
Duluth Huskies
Mankato Habaneros
|
1.000
1.000
|
Rawlings has been rewarding the top defenders in Northwoods League Baseball since 2002 and this is the first season that they are also giving awards to the top defenders in Northwoods League Softball. The recipients receive a special Rawlings engraved trophy. Rawlings is the official equipment provider for the Northwoods League.
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The Wausau Woodchucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, 360 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit woodchucks.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Woodchucks as your favorite team.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
