C’s Make ALL-STAR TEAM

A trio of Vancouver Canadians have received all-star nods heading into tonight’s game against the Boise Hawks.

LHP Justin Nicolino, RHP Drew Permison and 2B Jon Berti have been voted as the top players within the Northwest League while Salem-Keizer Volcanoes SS Joe Panik was named NWL Most Valuable Player.

LHP Justin Nicolino was the ace of the Canadians pitching staff in 2011 going 5-1 with an ERA of 1.03 over his nine starts.

Nicolino would dominate the Northwest League, striking out 64 while walking just 11, holding opposing hitters to a .156 batting average over his 52 1/3 innings in Vancouver.  He was also named NWL Pitcher of the Week (July 18-24).

Canadians RHP Drew Permison has been named the Northwest League’s top closer as he heads into the final week of the season with a league-leading 14 saves, one shy of the C’s single-season record of 15 (Paul Smyth 2009).

Permison was 25 strikeouts in 31 innings of work and holds an ERA of 1.74 while converting 14 of his 16 save opportunities in 2011.

2B Jon Berti has been one of the Northwest League’s top leadoff hitters in 2011 holding a .301 batting average (59-for-196) heading into the C’s final series at Boise.

The native of Troy, Michigan has stolen 22 bases this season and is three shy of the C’s single-season mark of 25 (Michael Richard 2007).

Berti has been a catalyst for the Vancouver offense on the road hitting .341 (30-for-88) away from Scotiabank Field and is hitting .327 (16-for-49) with runners in scoring position.

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club wishes to congratulate all three players for a wonderful season out at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Here’s a look at the entire Northwest League All-Star Team for the 2011 season:
First Base                    Paul Hoilman (Boise)
Second Base             Jon Berti (Vancouver)
Third Base                   Jimmy Comerota (Yakima) & Travis Whitmore (Eugene)
Shortstop                     Joe Panik (Salem-Keizer)
Designated Hitter        Mike Murray (Salem-Keizer)
Catcher                       Rafael Lopez (Boise)
Outfielders                  Brett Krill (Salem-Keizer)

Jesus Galindo (Salem-Keizer)                             Jabari Blash (Everett)
LH Pitcher                  Justin Nicolino (Vancouver)
RH Pitcher                  Christian Bergman (Tri-City) & Jose Campos (Everett)

LH Reliever                 Ken Roberts (Tri-City)
RH Reliever               Drew Permison (Vancouver)
Manager of the Year:  Freddie Ocasio (Tri-City)
Most Valuable Player: Joe Panik (Salem-Keizer)