Battle Creek Bombers Sign Gull Lake Grad

Bombers Add Three Chippewas to 2016 Roster

Colton Bradley has worn baseball uniforms for the Gull Lake Blue Devils, CMU Chippewas, and this summer he'll suit up in a Battle Creek Bomber uniform.  Bradley, the Climax native, is one of three CMU players from Michigan to sign on with the team.

The Bombers announced today that Bradley, Daniel Jipping, and Jarrod Watkins of Central Michigan University will each wear the red and black this summer.

Colton Bradley: 6’1”, 195lb, OF/RHP, Sophomore, (Bats:R/Throws:R), Augusta, Mich.

As a sophomore at CMU, Bradley played in 32 games, making eight starts and scoring 17 runs. In a 16-6 win over Eastern Michigan, the Augusta native doubled and scored two runs. He is also a member of the 2015 Academic All-MAC team and he brings a strong work ethic to the Bombers.

The right-hander is a graduate of Gull Lake High School and was named Kalamazoo Gazette’s 2012 Divisions 1-2 baseball player after his junior year. That season Colton batted .485 with four home runs, 51 RBI and 21 doubles. While setting school records by scoring making 136 plate appearances, saving six games on the mound, and totalling 66 hits - Bradley earned tons of accolades including being named First-Team All-Area, All District, All Region and DII First-Team All-State. Prep Baseball Report ranked Bradley the No. 28 prospect in the state of Michigan.

Daniel Jipping: 6’2”, 232lb, INF/OF, Sophomore, (Bats:R/Throws:R), Canton, Mich.

Jipping appeared in 50 games for the Chippewas during the 2015 season, making 42 starts. He led the team in home runs and finished second with 40 RBIs, tallying 25 total runs.  Highlights of Daniel’s sophomore tour include snagging a season-high four RBIs in 16-6 win over Eastern Michigan and hitting a three-run double in a 21-2 win over Ball State. He is a NWL veteran, having played for the Eau Claire Express of the North Division last summer.

The Canton native was named captain of the Plymouth Christian Academy baseball team as a junior and earned all-area honors following the same season. A powerful batter, he won the 2014 Muscle Milk Heavy Hitters Home Run Derby in Detroit by slugging 30 home runs. He concluded his high school career being named the No. 12 baseball prospect in the state of Michigan and No. 128 in the Midwest by Prep Baseball Report.

Jarrod Watkins: 6’0”, 165lb, INF, Freshman, (Bats:L/Throws:R), Washington, Ill.

Watkins begins his freshman campaign at Central Michigan coming off a successful high school career at Washington Community High, where he had a career batting average of .444 and led the area in average and RBIs. Jarrod was named the 2014 Peoria Star Journal Player of the Year, an honor once bestowed on his father and high school coach, Sean Watkins. He was also ranked No. 64 in the state of Illinois. The infielder has played shortstop, third base, and second base and played three years of summer ball with the Central Illinois Outlaws.

Opening Day at C.O. Brown Stadium is May 31^st where the Bombers will kick off the 2016 season facing the Madison Mallards. Fans can guarantee tickets to the team’s top weekend dates of the season by locking in the Bombers new 5-game pack.  5-game packs are $59 and include the best seats at the team’s five (5) best games with all-you-can-eat food and beverages with guaranteed giveaways. Fans can buy online by going to http://northwoodsleague.com/battle-creek-bombers/tickets/5-game-packs/.  Fans can also call the team’s front office at (269) 962-0735 or by emailing tickets@battlecreekbombers.com.