Outfielder Russo returning in 2018

YAKIMA, Wash. – Outfielder Michael Russo, who got off to a promising start in 2017 with the Yakima Valley Pippins before a season-ending arm injury, is coming back to Yakima to try again next year.

The left-handed-hitting Russo hit the first of the Pippins’ 32 home runs in the team’s 11-4 win over Victoria on June 3. But he was sidelined shortly thereafter by a bicep injury.

“He gave our fans a taste of what he’s capable of,” Pippins manager Marcus McKimmy said. “He’s a left-handed power bat with multiple years experience at the Division I level, a very seasoned offensive player and outfielder that we’re excited to have back.”

The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder from La Crescenta, Calif., who’s playing college ball at Cal St. Northridge, finished 2-for-4 in two games with the Pippins.

“He really enjoyed his short time in Yakima and jumped at the opportunity to put on a Pippins uniform again,” McKimmy said. “We’re really happy he’s a year older, a year more mature, and back at 100 percent.”

Russo and All-WCL reliever Connor White are the first two players named to the Pippins’ 2018 roster.

The Pippins’ fifth anniversary season in Yakima begins in June 2018. Season tickets for the team’s 32-game home schedule are currently available for purchase at Hunky Shaw’s Team Shop, 12 S. Second St. in the historic Larson Building in downtown Yakima, by calling 509-575-4487 or online at pippinsbaseball.com. The Pippins’ 2018 schedule will be announced in late October, with mini-plans and other ticketing options available at that time.

By Yakima Valley Pippins

January 27, 2018