NORMAL, Ill. – Hitting for the cycle is one of the rarest feats on a baseball diamond. Doing it twice in three games? Now that's almost unheard of.
But that's exactly what Owen Miller did in his first week playing for the Lakeshore Chinooks of the Northwoods League this summer.
In his second game, on July 3 at Kalamazoo, Miller went 5-for-5 with two singles, a double, triple and home run to hit for the cycle in a 16-8 win.
Two days later, against Rockford on July 5, Miller did it again, going 5-for-5, again with two singles, a double, triple and homer in a 21-6 win.
In nine games in the Northwoods League this summer, Miller is batting .486/.512/.865, and eight of his 18 hits have gone for extra bases. He's walked four times while striking out just three times. He has scored 10 runs and driven in 10 more.
Miller is one of several Redbirds currently playing in summer collegiate leagues. Others include (listed alphabetically):
Joe Aeilts | Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League | Grand Lake Mariners
- Batting .333/.337/.483 with seven doubles, two home runs and 15 RBIs in 22 games in the GLSCL.
- Went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI in a 4-3 win July 6.
Jeffrey Barton | Northwoods League | Rockford Rivets
- Currently 1-4 with a 5.71 ERA in six games in the NWL this summer.
- Struck out eight in a quality start versus Battle Creek June 26.
Jack Bellinger | Ohio Valley League | Madisonville Miners
- Owns a 1-2 record and 4.80 ERA in 15 innings in the OVL.
- Has tallied 15 strikeouts against 10 walks to date.
Jack Butler | Midwest Collegiate League | Bloomington Bobcats
- Named to the MCL All-Star Game taking place July 11.
- Slashing .447/.478/.553 with team highs in hits (46), runs (25) and RBIs (19).
Joe Butler | Prospect League | Springfield Sliders
- Slashing .287/.376/.343 with a team-high 15 stolen bases in 28 games in the Prospect League.
- Went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two stolen bases in a 15-8 loss to Terre Haute June 27.
Ryan Hutchinson | Northwoods League | Rockford Rivets
- Batting .260/.414/.360 with team highs in runs scored (25), walks (23) and stolen bases (10).
- Homered at Green Bay July 7 and versus Kalamazoo July 9.
Jordan Libman | Ohio Valley League | DuBois County Bombers
- Batting .281/.382/.404 in 14 games in the OVL.
- Has registered five extra-base hits, scored 11 runs and driven in seven more to date.
Jeff Lindgren | Northwoods League | Bismarck Larks
- Currently 1-1 with four saves and a 3.78 ERA in 14 relief appearances, spanning 19 innings, in the NWL.
- Pitched a perfect ninth inning to preserve a 15-13 win over Willmar July 3.
Braden Niksich | Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League | Grand Lake Mariners
- Owns a 1-0 record with one save and a 3.72 ERA in six appearances in the GLSCL.
- Struck out six batters over five innings of work July 4.
Derek Parola | Prospect League | Terre Haute Rex
- Returned to Terre Haute July 2 and has played in seven games over the past week.
- Went 1-for-3 with a double and a sacrifice fly in a 14-8 loss at Lafayette July 5.
John Rave | Northwoods League | Rockford Rivets
- Named an NWL All-Star; will play for the South squad in the league's annual showcase July 18.
- Slashing .343/.421/.448 with six extra-base hits and six stolen bases in 25 games.
Noah Sadler | Northwoods League | Bismarck Larks
- Hitting .290/.448/.409 with 22 runs scored and a team-high 27 walks drawn in 30 games.
- Went 2-for-2 with two walks, a double and an RBI in a 7-6 win over St. Cloud July 9.
Anthony Sanchez | Ohio Valley League | DuBois County Bombers
- Batting .333/.508/.438 in 15 games played in the OVL.
- Has tallied five doubles, 13 runs and five RBIs to date.
Jack Spicer | Pioneer Collegiate League | Bancroft Bandits
- Currently 0-1 with a 9.77 ERA in 15.2 innings pitched in the PCL.
- Tallied 21 strikeouts versus 13 walks to date this summer.
Michael Sebby | Ohio Valley League | Madisonville Miners
- Owns a 3-2 record and 3.51 ERA in 25.2 innings pitched this summer in the OVL.
- Leads his team in strikeouts (37), while walking only 10 batters to date.
Mitch Vogrin | Northwoods League | Madison Mallards
- Finished the summer with 1-1 record and 4.40 ERA in nine appearances in the NWL.
- Did not allow an earned run over his final five appearances, spanning nine innings of work.
Nick Zouras | Northwoods League | Kenosha Kingfish
- Named an NWL All-Star; will play for the South squad in the league's annual showcase July 18.
- Slashing .297/.360/.376 with 30 hits and 11 RBIs in 26 games in the NWL.
Note: Only those currently playing in summer leagues, with updated stats posted on his team's website, are included in this report. Other current Redbird players have already finished or not yet started their summer campaigns, or do not have updated stats posted, are not included.
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