The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – May 4, 2018 – The Northwest Indiana Oilmen have added a veteran of three collegiate season to the roster for 2018.

A sports-related internship has Purdue Northwest pitcher Brendan Kelly spending his summer in Northwest Indiana, and Kelly knew he wanted to find a way to keep playing while completing his internship. That’s where the Northwest Indiana Oilmen, as recommended by PNW head coach Dave Griffin, came into the picture.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about the Oilmen, and the stadium looks awesome,” Kelly said. “I knew I wanted to play in a competitive league, and Coach Griffin told me I would get that with the Oilmen.”

Kelly, a Grandville, Mich. native and graduate of Grandville High School, started his collegiate career with two seasons at Muskegon Junior College in Michigan, then he transferred to the Division II ranks by joining PNW this season.

“Coming from a JUCO school, you have to do a lot of things on your own,” he said. “The biggest transition heading to Purdue Northwest is having someone write your routine for you. You’re following a format throughout the week. I’m loving every second of it, and I like having structure to what I do every single day.”

Kelly has made 10 appearances, two starts, for the Pride. He owns a 4.64 ERA and 1-1 record with 11 strikeouts and eight walks in 21 1/3 innings.

“My goal for the summer is to work on pounding the zone,” he said. “This year at PNW, I’m a spot starter and late inning guy out of the bullpen. Next year, I’ll have a shot at the starting rotation for conference. I want to work on being more of an efficient starter, pounding the zone at a good pace. I need to work on staying focused, staying in the moment and having fun.”

Kelly pitched for the Grand River Loggers of the Great Lakes League last summer, and has also spent time in the Northwoods League.

“I’m a competitive guy; I love to compete,” he said. “Sometimes I show a little too much emotion on the mound. It’s because I want to be better than the next guy. I don’t throw the hardest, but I have pretty good off-speed. I’m a guy that likes to go out there and compete.”

Kelly played for Team USA growing up until he was 17 years old. At age 16, he went to the Dominican Republic and played a game in Santo Domingo against the host country.

“That was hands down the most people I’ve ever played in front of,” he said. “I had a shutout going until the sixth, and we won the championship. That’s by far my favorite baseball memory. Seeing a new culture and how they play baseball down there was awesome.”

Outside of baseball, Kelly enjoys fishing and is an outdoorsman. He is a sports management major with a minor in communications.

“My dream is to be a college baseball coach one day,” he said. “Another awesome job down the road would be to work in a front office for a baseball team. I’m excited to dig deeper into the business aspect of baseball.”