The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – December 16, 2013 –Akron right-handed pitcher Myles McVeigh has signed to play for the Northwest Indiana Oilmen in 2014.  McVeigh underwent Tommy John surgery following the 2012 season, forcing him to miss the 2013 campaign.  The red-shirt junior is closing in on a complete recovery from the elbow injury. 

“My college career has definitely had its ups and downs,” McVeigh said.  “Having Tommy John surgery was really an experience that allowed me to grow as a human being.  I really learned a lot and came out successful from that.”

McVeigh said he is “very close” to making a complete recovery from the surgery and listed building up arm strength prior to the start of the spring season as his final hurdle in the road to full health.

“Two years ago, Myles was one of our top pitchers,” Akron coach Rick Rembielak said.  “We’re expecting him to be in our weekend rotation this year.  He had a good fall for us, so it was very encouraging to see how he came back from his surgery.

McVeigh, a native of Cheyenne, Wyo., limited opponents to a .265 average and compiled a 3.82 earned run average as a freshman in 2011.  This season, he would like to improve on his composure and consistency.

In one of his outings this fall, McVeigh outdueled former Oilman Joe Cochran by twirling seven innings of two-hit ball in a 4-0 Gold victory over Blue in Game 3 of the Akron Fall World Series. Over the course of the fall season, his fastball began to show an increase in velocity.

“I think there is a lot more in that arm,” Rembielak said.  “He has shown a 90-plus fastball in fall ball, so he has gotten back to that 90 mile-per-hour range; now it’s just a matter of sustaining it with endurance and consistency.”

McVeigh will join Akron teammate James Meeker on the 2014 Oilmen roster and become the sixth Akron Zip to play for NWI in the three-year history of the franchise.  With the signings of McVeigh and Meeker, Akron surpasses Purdue (5) as the program with the most all-time Oilmen.

Anthony Bova, Michael Steensen, Gerrad Rohan and Cochran all told McVeigh that they had a fun experience as members of the 2013 Oilmen.

“They said it’s a great atmosphere and told me about how close you are to Chicago if you have days off and you want to get away and have a fun time,” McVeigh said.  “I’ve heard the baseball environment is also great with a good stadium and good fans.”

Rembielak has his fingers crossed that McVeigh’s elbow will be healthy this season.

“Being an upperclassman and the type of pitcher he is, we really need him,” he said.  “I’m really rooting for him.  He has worked his tail off.  He is a very disciplined kid, both on the field and in the classroom.”