As many collegiate baseball players do, JP Lowen and John Shelby spent their summer playing baseball in a summer league. However, the Wildcat duo did more than just play as they starred for their respective teams in the Northwest League.

Shelby, a rising sophomore at Kentucky, earned All-Star honors as a star shortstop for the Waterloo Bucks. He batted .271 in 61 games while leading the team with 10 doubles and ranking second with 30 RBIs. He also belted six home runs and stole 15 bases.

Shelby?s efforts did not go unnoticed outside the league. He was named the No. 5 professional prospect in the Northwoods League by Baseball America.

A year ago, Shelby started 35 games for Kentucky while playing in 45 overall. He batted .279 and led the team in stolen bases.

Lowens proved his value by starting at least 10 games at first base, third base and catcher for the Thunder Bay Border Cats. He was also stellar at the plate with a .271 average and a team-high seven home runs.

A newcomer from Chipola Community College, Lowens led his Border Cats team to a second-place finish in the Northwoods League North Division.