Kiermaier returns as Hot Rod

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Fort Wayne native Kevin Kiermaier will be on the visiting side this week as the Bowling Green Hot Rods enter Parkview Field for a series against the TinCaps. Kiermaier was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 31st round of last year's draft.

Kiermaier, 21, led Bishop Luers to a Class 2-A state baseball championship in 2008, the same school year in which the Knights won state titles in football and boys' basketball. He was a two-time All-American at Parkland (Ill.) CC for two seasons, helping the Cobras to a national championship in 2009.

Kiermaier opened his pro career last season with Rookie-level Princeton, batting .303 with 17 stolen bases. This year he made the jump to the full-season Midwest League, where he serves as the Hot Rods' starting center fielder. Kiermaier is batting .209 with three doubles, two triples and five stolen bases.

The TinCaps and Hot Rods play a three-game series with Tuesday's game starting at 7:05 p.m., Wednesday's game scheduled to begin at 11:05 a.m. and Thursday's finale slated for 7:05 p.m.

Tickets are available for all three games of the series. To order, visit the tickets page, call (260) 482-6400 or visit the Parkview Field ticket office.