EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes 4/9 Vs. Bowie

Published on April 9, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (1-3) vs. Bowie Baysox (1-3)

Monday, April 9th -- 7:05 PM

Prince George's Stadium -- Bowie, MD

Game # 5 - Road Game # 5

Radio: Sports Radio 910 AM (6:35 PM) Internet: sportsradio910.com

LHP Mike Kickham (0-0, ---) vs. RHP Zach Clark (0-0, ---)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels and Bowie Baysox open a three-game series tonight at Prince George's Stadium After dropping their first three games of the season, the Flying Squirrels won a 3-1 12-inning contest over New Britain Saturday to avoid a sweep in the four-game set. Daniel Mayora went 2-for-5 and drove in the game-winning run for Richmond in the top of the 12th inning. Reliever Chris Gloor earned his first Double-A win and Daryl Maday recorded his first save of the year. Squirrels starter Chris Heston allowed just one hit in five scoreless innings. Meanwhile, Bowie also lost three of its first four games of the 2012 campaign, including a 5-2 loss against Harrisburg Sunday. The Flying Squirrels went 9-16 against Bowie in 2011 including a 3-10 mark at Prince George's Stadium. Richmond is 25-29 all-time against Bowie and the club is 10-17 all-time in Bowie. The two teams will meet 24 times in 2012, 10 times in Bowie and 14 times in Richmond. Following this three-game series, on the opening road trip, the Squirrels will return to Bowie May 21st-24th. The next meeting between the two teams will be April 30th-May 3rd at The Diamond.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: LHP Mike Kickham vs. RHP Zach Clark Kickham: Makes his first start of the season and his Double-A debut for the Flying Squirrels tonight. Kickham spent the entire 2011 season with Low-A Augusta, where he compiled a 5-10 record with a 4.11 ERA in 21 starts. He was hampered by a lingering blister, which delayed the start of his 2011 campaign until May 13. He began his pro career with the AZL Giants in 2010 and posted an 11.57 ERA in three relief appearances, but did not receive a decision. Kickham impressed scouts during his college career at Missouri State University, where he amassed 106 strikeouts in 2010, the 5th-best single-season mark in school history.

He owns a 5-10 record with a 4.26 ERA in 24 career minor league appearances, including 21 starts. The Springfield, MO native was selected as a draft-eligible sophomore by the Giants in the sixth round of the 2010 June Draft and received a $410,000 signing bonus. He enters the 2012 season as the 20th-best prospect in the San Francisco farm system according to Baseball America.

Clark: Makes his fi rst start of the season tonight. Clark is Baysox veteran who has spent parts of the last four seasons with Bowie, including the entire 2011 season. The right-hander went 10-9 with a 5.00 ERA in 24 appearances, including 23 starts last year. He earned Eastern league Pitcher-of-the-Week honors for the week of April 25 through May 2 and finished tied for 5th in the league in wins (10). Clark also finished third in the circuit in earned runs allowed (77). In addition to his time in Bowie, Clark has spent parts of three seasons (2008-10) with the Norfolk Tides, Baltimore's Triple-A affiliate. Clark boasts a career record of 34-37 with a 3.93 ERA and three saves in 143 appearances, including 90 starts. The Wilmington, DE native signed with the Orioles as a non-drafted free agent on May 26, 2006 following his collegiate career at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

PROSPECTING THE SQUIRRELS: The Flying Squirrels Opening Day roster features 5 players included in Baseball America's top-30 prospects in the San Francisco Giants farm system including the organizations top two prospects OF Gary Brown (#1) and C Tommy Joseph (#2). It marks the first time in franchise history that Richmond boasts a prospect rated higher than #4 in BA's top prospect rankings. Previously OFs Thomas Neal (2010) and Francisco Peguero (2011) were the highest rated prospects entering the season to appear with the Squirrels. Additionally, SS Ehire Adrianza (#9), INF/OF Chris Dominguez (#16) and LHP Mike Kickham (#20) rank in the top 30 entering the 2012 campaign. Richmond's Opening Day roster had 8 members of BA's top- 30 prospect list in each of its first two seasons.

FAMILIAR FACES: The Flying Squirrels return 14 members of the 2011 squad that won the Western Division Championship and advanced to the Eastern League Championship. RHP Craig Westcott returns to Richmond after making his Double-A debut with the Squirrels in 2010 (3-3, 5.13). Additionally, 17 members of Richmond's Opening Day roster have spent time at the Double- A level or higher. Eleven Squirrels will be making their Double-A debuts this season including RHP Brett Bochy and LHP Mike Kickham who have not pitched above Low-A.

ROAD TO THE SHOW: Three former Flying Squirrels cracked the San Francisco Giants Opening Day roster including INF/ OF Brandon Belt, INF Brandon Crawford and RHP Dan Otero. Otero will become the 6th former Squirrel to debut in the Major Leagues following a stint in Richmond joining OF Darren Ford, Belt, Crawford, RHP Henry Sosa (Astros) and LHP Eric Surkamp.

INF Conor Gillaspie and OF Justin Christian had previously played in the Majors before returning after playing with Richmond.

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