CRYSTAL LAKE HERALD
SPORTS – GNATS NOW
April 2025 In Review by Heskin
Updated: May 1, 2025 – 11:30AM CDT
By Howard Heskin, Staff Writer – Twitter @HowardHeskin1
Crystal Lake started off the 2025 season with a strong start to April which fizzled at the end of April with the injury bug again visiting the clubhouse this season. April concluded with a record of 13-10 after Crystal Lake winning series at Fargo, Reno, Okinawa, Kalamazoo, but with series losses at the end of the month against Aurora, Palm Springs and Duluth.
Pitcher of the month honors goes to young star Jim 'Nitro' MacCowan. Nitro posted a record of 2-2 with a 1.57 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, with 20 strikeouts and only 6 walks. He notched an impressive victory against Aurora with giving up only 1 earned run with 4 hits over 8 innings.
Batter of the month goes to Jarrod 'Merlin' Ricks. Merlin posted an impressive .344 average and .398 on base percentage. He also launched 6 home runs and batted in 11 runs. The star left fielder has left off where he started last season.
Notable injuries this month include 2B Jim 'Bizarre' Klein out for the remainder of May for about 3-4 weeks with a separated shoulder that he suffered on April 21 against Aurora colliding with another player at-base. The Sandgnats will need to find a way to get on-base without their team leader and walk machine for the near future.
Newly acquired DH and Outfielder Colin Crow will remain out another 2-3 weeks after sustaining hamstring injury on opening day April 7th.
Lastly, LF Raúl Uribe will likely sit out the first week of May as he is day-to-day with a mild oblique strain.
If Crystal Lake can tread water for the month of May until these players return, hopefully they will have a chance to make a run near the All-Star break. If not, will we see the team be a seller for the first time in a while at the trade deadline?
April 2025 In Review by Heskin
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April 2025 In Review by Heskin
RJ Ermola
Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations
Crystal Lake Sandgnats
*2024 PEBA Champions*
Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations
Crystal Lake Sandgnats
*2024 PEBA Champions*
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Re: April 2025 In Review by Heskin
I was definitely surprised to see where the Great Lakes was following the last sim, basically .500 record to contend at the moment.
Cristian Shofar - GM Fargo Dinosaurs
- Sandgnats
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Re: April 2025 In Review by Heskin
Yeah losing 4 in a row to start May was not good for us. Also, I'm not as deep this year so injuries have hurt big time. I think it will be an interesting race this year.
RJ Ermola
Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations
Crystal Lake Sandgnats
*2024 PEBA Champions*
Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations
Crystal Lake Sandgnats
*2024 PEBA Champions*