Jerrik Sigg, a standout athlete for Iola High School and now Allen Community College, made his mark over the summer for the Valley Center Diamond Dawgs, a baseball team comprised of college players from across the country.
Sigg, who manned center field for the Diamond Dawgs, earned all-Walter Johnson League recognition.
With Sigg in the lineup, Valley Center went 20-14 and qualified for second week of the the National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series in Wichita, considered the most prestigious amateur baseball tournament in the country. The Diamond Dawgs were eliminated from the competition Tuesday afternoon in a loss to San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Even in defeat, Valley Center manager Pat Hon cited Sigg’s play in the outfield as a highlight.
“Jerrik had a spectacular catch in the game,” Hon said.
Sigg batted .360 for the Diamond Dawgs, with 54 hits, 31 runs, seven doubles and 16 RBIs. He stole 11 bases in 13 attempts.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Jerrik this summer,” Hon said. “He’s improved as much or more than any other player we had this summer.”
Sigg was a cracker jack athlete in football and basketball in high school, but hit his groove on the baseball field.
He batted a robust .355 for the Red Devils with two home runs and 23 runs.
The NBC World Series has been a staple of Wichita summers since 1931, and has featured a number of baseball greats, such as Satchel Paige, Ozzie Smith, Dave Winfield, Joe Carter, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Whitey Herzog.
A number of other NBC alumni still are in the Major Leagues, including Albert Pujols, James Shields, Michael Young and Alex Gordon.
Sigg makes his mark at next level
