LINCOLN – The Lincoln Saltdogs announced yesterday that they signed Lincoln East alumnus Creighton Wilke. This is Wilke’s second stint with his hometown team. The Saltdogs released LHP Matt Portland.
Wilke joins the team after participating in Spring Training with the Saltdogs. He was on the Saltdogs’ active roster from June 16-18. He entered one game as a defensive replacement but did not register an at bat.
The infielder brings a left-handed bat and experience at the NCAA Division Two level.
Wilke played two seasons at Tusculum College in Tennessee and was one of the team’s biggest power bats his senior season. In his final year for Tusculum, the first baseman hit .333 with eight home runs and 11 doubles. He knocked in 43 runs in 53 games.
Prior to playing at Tusculum, Wilke starred at Southeast Community College in Beatrice. He was a First Team NJCAA All-American his sophomore year and tied for the national lead with 17 home runs. He was second in the country with 73 RBIs and while hitting .355.
Wilke played for Coach Mike Sterns at Lincoln East High School. In senior season in 2011, the lefty hit .427 with 17 doubles on the way to Super State honorable mention.
Portland pitched in eight games for the Saltdogs including three starts. The Northwestern University graduate was 1-0 with a 5.85 ERA. He struck out 22 batters in 20 innings of work. He pitched in yesterday’s loss, recording one out and allowing five runs on two hits and four walks.
The Saltdogs face the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in the series opener tonight. First pitch is at 6:45 PM and coverage begins at 6:15 PM on ESPN 1480 and saltdogs.com. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling (402) 474-2255 or visiting Saltdogs.com. For the latest information on the Saltdogs follow the team on Facebook and Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball.