Bluffton University outfielder Kyle Niermann (Napoleon/Napoleon) recently joined the Lima Locos of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. The GLSCL is one of the premier collegiate summer baseball leagues in the country, providing many Division I athletes with the opportunity to perform in front of major league scouts on a regular basis.

Kyle is the third Bluffton baseball player since 2007 to play in the GLSCL. Matt Perkins saw action with the Anderson Servants in 2007 and Cody McPherson pitched for the Lake Erie Monarchs in 2009. "As a program, we are excited that Kyle has been selected to play for the Lima Locos. Kyle had a great spring season and has worked really hard to improve his skill set. Playing in the Great Lakes League will further his development."

Niermann saw his first action for Lima on June 11, scoring a run in the Locos 8-2 win over the Licking County Settlers. Three days later, he followed that with a three-hit performance in a 15-inning win over the Settlers. Niermann also score a run in the extra-inning victory.

A First Team All-Heartland Conference performer in 2011 after being selected to the second team in 2010, Kyle Niermann set the table with a school-record 68 hits which added up to a .382 batting average and .411 on-base percentage. His 68 safeties were the most by a Heartland Conference player prior to the HCAC tournament. Niermann eclipsed the old record of 39 runs with 42, but he now ranks second behind Nick Broyles who crossed the dish 51 times this year. His 178 at-bats moved him to #1 on the single season list at Bluffton, while his 96 total bases placed him fourth all-time.

Niermann ranks 7th all-time with a .378 career batting average and he is well on his way to the career hits mark of 168 with 111 safeties after just two seasons. He was second to Nick Broyles in the Heartland Conference with 41 hits in HCAC play this year. The smooth right fielder (.988 fielding percentage) broke the school mark with five runs in Bluffton's win over Franklin and he also equaled the Bluffton record for hits in a game with five safeties twice in 2011.

For more information on the Lima Locos and Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, click on the links below.