Summer Baseball Update

STATESBORO, Ga. – Two former Georgia Southern Baseball players moved up the ranks in the baseball minor leagues while other current Eagles are having successful summer seasons.

A.J. Battisto got the call to Double-A Jacksonville and made his first appearance on July 1. While at Jupiter Battisto was 3-2 and three saves with a 2.25 ERA in 36 innings. In 24 relief appearances, Battisto struck out 41 batters to seven walks as opponents batted .202. Since getting the call up to Jacksonville, the former All-Southern Conference pitcher is 1-0 in two relief games. He has allowed two hits in 3.1 innings, striking out three.

Griffin Benedict received the call to Class A Fort Wayne (Midwest League) and in his first appearance went 2-for-4. He batted .250 at Eugene with two runs scored and four RBI in six games.

Ty Wright was moved to the San Diego Padres’ Arizona Rookie League to get more at-bats. He went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, one RBI and a triple. Wright was 3-for-22 at Eugene with two RBI prior to the move.

Rising sophomore Colin Snow was named Co-Pitcher of the Week in the New England Collegiate Baseball League for the week ending July 5.  Snow is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA for the Sanford Mariners. In four games played (three starts), Snow has struck out 13 batters in 17.1 innings posting a .123 opponent batting average.

Summer teammate Matt Murray is 0-1 with a 1.69 ERA in 16 innings. He struck out 14 batters to five walks allowed while allowing a .182 opponent batting average. Samford currently stands 9-10 in the NECBL.

Dexter Bobo is 1-2 with a 9.39 ERA in seven relief appearances for the Keene Swamp Bats (NECBL). The senior-to-be struck out 12 batters in 7.2 innings, allowing a .241 opponent batting average. The Swamp Bats are 15-7 this summer.

Eric Phillips, another rising sophomore, is batting .329 for Glen Falls in the New York Collegiate League. He has recorded 10 runs, 12 RBI, seven walks to only five strikeouts, stolen 3-of-3 bases and a .952 fielding percentage. Glen Falls currently stands 16-5.

A.J. Wirnsberger, Andy Moye and Jake Brown are playing this summer for the Luray Ranglers in the Valley League. Brown leads the squad with a 3-0 record, posting a 4.32 ERA while making four starts in seven appearances. He has thrown a complete game and in 25 innings struck out 14 batters. Moye leads the pitching staff with 21 strikeouts in 28 innings. The rising junior is 1-2 with a 3.54 ERA making five starts in six games played. Wirnsberger leads the Wranglers with seven doubles and 17 RBI while batting at a .338 clip. The senior-to-be has scored 12 runs and posted a .980 fielding and .402 on-base percentage. Luray is currently 13-9.

Kyle Blackburn, another senior, has helped the Staunton Braves to a 15-6 record in the Valley League. The 2009 SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player has hit three doubles, one triple and two home runs while batting at a .308 clip. Blackburn has walked 11 times and posted a .424 on-base percentage.

Tony Chisman has not recorded a decision in 10 relief appearances but leads the squad with five saves. The rising junior owns a 0.66 ERA covering 13.2 innings. Chisman has allowed nine hits in 13.2 innings, struck out 15 batters and walked three while allowing a .188 opponent batting average.

Jake Ware played a month of baseball in Nicaragua with Athletes in Action.

Category: Baseball

Published on Monday, 06 July 2009 22:22