Three Former Eagles Named to All-Star Teams
6/11/2008 4:29:00 AM | Baseball
STATESBORO,
The trio were teammates at
Teaford moved up to Class A Advanced Wilmington Blue Rocks this season with great success. The Kansas City Royals prospect is 4-1 with a 2.73 ERA and one save in 62.2 innings. He has started eight times in his 13 appearances. Teaford has allowed 50 hits, walked 18 and struck out 47 as opponents are hitting just .213 off the former First Team All-Southern Conference left-hander.
The California/Carolina All-Star game will be held June 24th at BB&T Coastal Field in
“It's a big honor. Not many people get selected to play in an All-Star game, especially with this setup. The spots are limited so it's an honor to earn one. Hopefully I represent the Blue Rocks and Carolina League well,” said Teaford. “The biggest key to success this year has been confidence. Last year I didn't have the confidence that I have this year or in years past. You cannot pitch without having confidence. If you go out there and pitch defensively you are not going to pitch well. There are a lot of good players in this league and all the teams are pretty good. You can tell there is a step up in competition based on the players and how you have to pitch them. It's definitely a step up from pitching (in the Midwest League) last year.”
Battisto is currently pitching for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, an affiliate of the Florida Marlins. He owns a 3-0 record, one save and 0.91 ERA in 39.2 innings, having allowed just five runs (four earned). Battisto also boasts an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio, 42 Ks to only four walks. Opponents are batting .175 off the Grasshoppers' set-up man. Battisto ended his career last year earning All-Southern Conference honors and was undefeated in three years with the Eagles.
“I was a little bit surprised (to get the All-Star call), I thought they would give it to the closers,” said Battisto, who recently earned his second ?Pitcher of the Month' award from the Grasshoppers' Booster Club. “The key this year has been pitching down in the zone and getting ahead of hitters. I've thrown my four-seam to both sides of the plate and been throwing my two-seamer a lot. Going into this year I didn't know what to expect, but I was shooting for high ?A'. I am very fortunate though, there are only three pitchers left from my draft class and we are all in the bullpen here in
Dowling is currently in his second year with the Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League. The 
