The Northwoods League All-Star game is tonight in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Four members of the Waterloo Bucks have been selected for the team. University of Northern Iowa left-handed pitcher Aaron Jenkins is spending his second summer during the past three years with the Bucks and was voted to the All-Star squad, though that was not a pre-season goal. Jenkins says he just want to win, and he says that’s what he tried to do.
Jenkins is 2-4 in six appearances but leads the Northwoods League with 61 strikeouts. Just past the midway point of the season, Jenkins is on pace to be near former Iowa pitcher Jim Magrane’s single-season league record of 134 strikeouts. The curve ball specialist says better control has been important to his success.
Jenkins says he’s cut his walks in half and that has equaled more strikeouts. He says he tries to get ahead in the count early and that ends up leading to more strikeouts.
Jenkins will be joined at the All-Star game by Bucks teammates Jeff Richard (Central Michigan), Robert Matlock (Freed-Hardiman College), and Jeff Lanning (Nebraska, Ankeny H.S.). Jeff Engel, an outfielder for the University of Iowa playing for the Rochester (MN) Honkers will also be a Northwoods League All-Star.