Briefs: Shrimp’s Ryan Eiermann earns Prospect League awards

After a dominant season on the mound, Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp left-handed starter Ryan Eiermann earned a pair of Prospect League awards.

Eiermann was voted the Roland Hemond Pro Prospect of the Year and the Prospect League Starting Pitcher of the Year.

Eiermann, who earned numerous Prospect League Pitcher of the Year honors, broke the league record for strikeouts with 109 – against just 29 walks – in 68 innings. He went 8-1 with a 2.12 ERA, which ranked second in the league.

“Ryan had a special summer for us, no question about that,” Illinois Valley manager John Jakiemiec said in a press release. “Guys love playing behind him because he works fast, he pounds the zone and really loves to compete. He’s a great teammate and has a great future in front of him.”

Eiermann also was named one of six All-Star starting pitchers by the league’s 16 managers.

“I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for receiving these awards,” Eiermann said in the release. “I would like to thank the Illinois Valley community for their support of our team this summer and my teammates for making this summer an experience I will never forget.”

Teammate Keshawn Ogans also was voted an All Star.

Ogans, a shortstop from the University of California-Berkeley, hit .333 with 29 RBIs and 11 home runs and had a 20-game hitting streak.

“I really enjoyed getting to know and play with guys from other universities and experiencing a part of the country I have not been to before,” Ogans said in the release. “The Prospect League is a really competitive league, so to be recognized as an All Star by other coaches means a lot to me.”

Damon Cattani to be inducted into WBCA Hall of Fame

Hall graduate Damon Cattani will be inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Sept. 25 as a friend of basketball.

Cattani graduated from IVCC and the Institute of Broadcast Arts in Chicago before beginning a long radio career at WGSY-FM in Peru.

He was hired at WOMT at Manitwoc in 1977 and has been the voice of area sports since. He still hosts the Lee and Damon Show in the morning and does play-by-play for area prep sports.

Cattani also is a member of the Lakehouse All-Sports Hall of Fame and Lincoln High School Wall of Fame.

Doug Sergeant hits hole-in-one

Doug Sergeant, of Peru, made a hole-in-one at Chapel Hill Golf Course in Princeton.

He aced the 135-yard fourth hole using a 6 iron.

Bill Swanson witnessed the shot.

Brad Strever makes hole-in-one

Brad Strever made a hole-in-one at Oak Ridge Golf Club in La Salle.

He aced the 152-yard eighth hole using a 6 iron.

Tom Abens, Walt Hupe and Brian McNutt witnessed the shot.