The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – April 21, 2018 – The chance to play for Oilmen manager Adam Enright attracted Heartland Community College’s CJ Deshazer to agree to play his summer ball in Northwest Indiana.

The switch-hitting Conant High School product is a middle infielder at Heartland as a freshman this spring.

“The coaches helped me make my summer ball selection,” he said. “I’ve known Adam for a while now and I’ve been in touch with him. I got to know him during the recruiting process out of a high school. I don’t know a ton about the MCL yet, but I do know the Oilmen have done well since the team started.”

Deshazer will hope to contribute to an organization seeking its seventh straight winning season dating back to the club’s inaugural year in 2012. He’s confident he can make an immediate impact in his first season with the team.

“One thing I bring the table is the fact that I switch hit,” he said. “I’m fast with a strong arm. I would say I’m a fairly smart baseball player who brings a lot of tools.”

Deshazer will be joined on the Oilmen by Heartland teammate Max Franklin, who is back for his second season after serving as a member of the pitching staff on an NWI squad that established a new franchise record for regular season victories a year ago. Deshazer and Franklin are on a list of Heartland players who have worn an Oilmen uniform that also includes Kenny Mahala, Keith Mahler, Cody Dykema and Josh Fewell.

Deshazer has been adjusting to life in college baseball as a first-year collegiate player for the Hawks.

“It’s tough; it’s a lot of work,” he said. “There are a lot of talented players. Playing collegiately is what you work up toward, and it’s been competitive here. It’s exactly what you’d expect out of a school like this.”

He’s adjusted well, hitting .303 with 11 RBIs, seven stolen bases and a .489 on-base percentage in his first 18 games.

“My goal for the summer is to be up there in the areas I can control, such as average and stolen bases,” he said. “I want to be able to contribute in the ways I can. I always look to be a leader in stolen bases. Hopefully I can keep up the things I normally bring to a team as I join the Oilmen this summer.”

Outside of baseball, Deshazer enjoys spending time with his family. He has two little brothers and a sister.