The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – February 8, 2013 – With a thriving program that is ranked No. 3 in the nation by Baseball America and coming off its first-ever College World Series appearance, Indiana University is loaded with returning talent.  However, it was freshman Craig Dedelow that posted the team’s highest batting average during its fall season.

The Munster High School graduate will return to Northwest Indiana’s baseball diamonds this summer, as he competes in the Midwest Collegiate League as a member of the Oilmen outfield.

“I call him the silent assassin,” Indiana University coach Tracy Smith said.  “He just goes about his business so quietly, and yet he earns the respect and admiration of his coaches and also his teammates.  There’s no fanfare with him, there’s just a lot of production.”

Entering the year, Dedelow was only expecting to receive a handful of pinch-hit at bats during his freshman season.  Now, he is expected to see significant playing time in the outfield for the Hoosiers.

“Coming in, it was kind of scary to be honest,” he said.  “I wasn’t expecting to make as much of an impact as I have.  The guys have welcomed me with open arms.  I’ve just got to keep going at it hard every day.”

Both Smith and Munster High School coach Bob Shinkan frequently used the term “athleticism” when describing what Dedelow brings to the table.

“He’s just a pure athlete,” Shinkan said.  “He loves the game of baseball.  He was very noticeable to anybody that would watch us play right from the get-go because of his style of play and for the attitude that he had.”

Smith expects Dedelow to eventually hit for more power.  Dedelow cited one facet of his game that he would like to improve as his arm strength in the outfield.

Like many of the local players that have signed with the Oilmen, Dedelow has attended games as a spectator.  This summer he will be reunited with fellow Munster High School graduate Anthony Gomez, as well as Danny Pobereyko, who grew up in Munster before attending Bishop Noll.

Dedelow concluded his high school career in style, blasting a home run in the sectional championship against Lake Central in his final game as a prep athlete.

“Just about every single game was a highlight game for him,” Shinkan said.  “I don’t think he ever had a bad game.”