Ryan Helsley Named MWL Pitcher of the Week
September 6, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
PEORIA, IL - The Midwest League announced that Peoria Chiefs pitcher Ryan Helsley was named MWL Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 29 - September 5. Helsley also won the award April 22-28 and is the fourth pitcher to win the award twice in the MWL this season.
Helsley beat Beloit at home on Friday with 6 2/3 shutout innings in which he struck out 13 and allowed just one hit without issuing a walks. The 13 strikeouts established a new season and career high for Helsley and are the second most ever recorded in a game at Dozer Park. The outing marked the second time he struck out double digits in a game this season (11, April 22) and the sixth time Helsley recorded at least eight strikeouts in a game. .
A 2015 fifth round pick out of Northeastern State University in Oklahoma, Helsley went 10-2 in the regular season with a 1.61 ERA in 17 starts. He finished tied for second in the MWL in wins, one behind the leader. Helsley would have led the MWL in ERA at 1.61 but he was 17 innings shy of qualifying for the league ERA title with 95 innings of work. In those 95 innings he struck out 109 batters and walked just 19 for a 1.01 WHIP. Helsley held MWL opponents to a .216 average and allowed just one home run after April 16. His average against and WHIP numbers also would have led the league with enough innings to qualify. The right-hander missed nearly two months with a right-arm injury before returning to the rotation August 14 and he finished the season 2-1 with a 0.48 ERA in four starts.
The Chiefs head to Clinton to begin the Midwest League first round best-of-three playoff series on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. with RHP Jake Woodford () facing Clinton RHP Nick Neidert (). Game two is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Peoria and Helsley will take the ball for the Chiefs in the first playoff game at Dozer Park. If game three is needed it will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Peoria. All home playoff games are Presented by Jimmy John's and Thursday's game is a Thirsty Thursday with $2.00 draft beers and fountain sodas plus a Post-Game Fireworks presented by ITV3. Tickets are available at the Dozer Park Box Office, online at PeoriaChiefs.com and by calling 1-866-MYTICKET. Suites with 10 tickets to the playoff games are also available for just $150 by calling 309-680-4002.
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