Chinooks outfielder earns ABL gold glove honor

CHUGIAK —One of Chugiak-Eagle River’s top players during the 2017 summer season reeled in a major award.

Outfielder Jeremy Johnson earned the Alaska Baseball League’s gold glove award. Johnson, an Auburn University incoming junior, appeared in 39 games for the Chinooks. In addition to his work in the field, Johnson was among the top Chinooks at the plate with a .273 batting average. He added 38 hits, 15 runs, nine doubles and 16 RBI. Johnson also stole 10 bases.

Chugiak, which finished fifth in the ABL and missed the postseason, didn’t land a player on the All-ABL first team. Three players were named to the second team. Second baseman Brandon Michie, shortstop Aaron Schackelford and starting pitcher Mike Batten all made the second –team list.

Shackelford, a Master’s University incoming senior, hit .263 with a team-high three home runs. The infielder had 40 hits, 28 runs and 19 RBI. Michie, of Mercer University, was second on the team with 22 RBI. He also had 35 hits and scored 21 runs.

Batten led Chugiak with three wins and 39 strikeouts.

All-Alaska Baseball League

Player of the Year: Quin Cotton, Miners

Top Prospect: Todd Lott, Bucs

Gold Glove: Jeremy Johnson, Chinooks

Silver Slugger: Quin Cotton, Miners

Coach of the Year: Ken Hokuf, Bucs

First team:

First base — Blake Benefield, Miners; Second base — Cody Sporrer, Bucs; Shortstop — Andre Gregory, Pilots; Third base — Nathan Webb, Oilers; Catcher — Ryan Haug, Miners; Utility — Cuba Bess, Pilots; Outfield — Quin Cotton, Miners; Todd Lott, Bucs; Kellen Strahm, Oilers; Starting pitcher — Raymond Kerr, Oilers; Logan Boyer, Bucs; Kyle Tyler, Pilots; John Doxakis, Miners; Spencer Henson, Miners; Relief pitcher — Thad Ward, Miners; Andrew Kneussle, Bucs; Tyler Wilburn, Pilots; Closer — Josh Green, Miners; Designated hitter — Pete DerKay, Bucs.

Second team:

First base — Ian Evans, Pilots; Second base — Brandon Michie, Chinooks; Shortstop — Aaron Schackelford, Chinooks; Third base — Mike Fuchs, Bucs; Catcher — Carter Bins, Pilots; Utility — David Hensley, Bucs; Outfield — Micah Pries, Chinooks; Will Brennan, Pilots; Justin Ammons, Miners; Starting pitcher — Max Karros, Pilots; Calvin LeBrun, Miners; Jacques Pucheu, Pilots; Mike Batten, Chinooks; Relief pitcher — Trent Paddon, Oilers; Steve Ledesma, Pilots; Closer — Tyler Wilburn, Pilots; Designated hitter — Kellen Strahm, Oilers.