Five members of the 2009 Bellingham Bells earned spots on the All-West Coast League teams announced Monday, Aug. 24, by league president Ken Wilson. Three others were also named as honorable mentions.

Second baseman Craig Hertler and starting pitcher Tyrell Poggemeyer earned All-WCL First Team accolades with Poggemeyer being among the league’s top vote getters. Shortstop Sam Richter, catcher Mike Chiarelli and relief pitcher Seth Harvey earned All-WCL Second Team honors.

“This is a great honor for each of these guys,” Bells head coach Brandon Newell said. “It’s also great for this team to have eight individuals honored by the league. We worked hard every day this season to improve as individuals and as a team. For these players to be recognized as some of the best in this league is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

Poggemeyer has been a consistent contributor to the success the Bells have both on and off the field. In 2009 he posted a 4-1 record with the league’s eighth-best earned run average (2.17). In nine starts, Poggemeyer registered one shutout and fanned 43 batters—third best among fellow WCL pitchers. His 66 1/3 innings on the hill for the Bells were the third most innings pitched by any pitcher in the league in 2009. He also worked hard defensively, recording the league’s third most pickoffs.

Hertler finished the season with a .252 average at the plate and had one of the league’s best fielding percentages at .967. He was part of 34 double plays—only teammate Beau Brett was part of more double plays with 35—and his three triples were the second-most in the WCL.

Richter finished fourth in the league with his .338 batting average in 44 WCL games. He also finished second in the WCL in on-base percentage (.448); third in runs scored (32) and hits (51).

Chiarelli posted a .293 batting average in 31 games this season. He led the Bells with his .424 slugging percentage and made just one error behind the plate to garner a .994 fielding percentage. Chiarelli also threw out 12 runners attempting to steal a base.

Harvey led the WCL with 11 saves and 22 appearances this season. He finished the season with a 3.29 ERA after allowing 10 earned runs in 27 1/3 innings.

Along with Bellingham’s five all-WCL team members, the Bells’ Chris Amezquita, Patrick Claussen and Tanner Leighton earned honorable mention honors.

The teams are voted on by member head coaches. The West Coast League is schedule to announce its annual award winners on Monday, Aug. 31.