Covenant News at www.covchurch.org

North Park Pitcher Excels in Summer League Debut

FAIRBANKS, AK (June 16, 2003) - North Park University (NPU) pitcher Jeff Hanson is playing against some of the top players in college baseball this summer and so far he seems up to the challenge.

Hanson, from Hillside Covenant Church in Walnut Creek, California, tossed three innings of scoreless relief as the Fire, his Athletes in Action (AIA), team beat the Salinas Packers 4-3 last Friday in central California. The Fire, comprised of collegiate players from all over North America, is based in Fairbanks, Alaska. The team opened its season in California and is 4-1 heading into its Alaska Baseball League opener against the Mat-Su Miners in Palmer on Tuesday.

This is Hanson's second year playing for AIA - a sports ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ - and his first for the Fire. Hanson recently finished his junior year ranked among North Park's career pitching leaders in innings pitched and strikeouts. Although he plays for a small college program, Hanson fared well for AIA last summer against Division I players in the highly competitive MINK (Missouri Iowa Nebraska Kansas) League. However, this year will be an even more formidable challenge because the Alaska Baseball League has produced such major league stars as Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, record home run hitter Barry Bonds, and many other major leaguers.

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