Former Jacks Hitting Stride in Pro Careers

Published on July 25, 2011 under Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


With the 2011 Pump Jack season in full-scretch and the Jacks red hot, many former Pump Jacks are finding success of their own this summer as well in various professional organizations throughout the nation.

Pitchers in the Class-A Northwest League are finding it hard to figure out Brett Nicholas. In 30 games this season with the Spokane Indians, Nicholas has found himself among the team leaders and league leaders as well in several batting categories the entire summer. He leads the Indians in batting average (.336), home runs (5), doubles (14), RBI (30), and slugging percentage (.593). He leads the league in doubles, RBI and slugging percentage.

After starting the season dominating in Class-A with the West Virginia Power, Matt Curry quickly found himself skyrocketing through the Pirates organization. He was promoted to the Double-A Altoona Curve in early June, skipping a level of play and sitting two steps away from the big leagues. The big promotion hasn't cooled down the 16th round pick in 2010 at all. In his past 10 games, Curry is batting .429 with four doubles, a triple and a home run while knocking in seven runs.

Miguel Pena is quickly becoming a staple in the Lowell Spinners pitching staff. One week after picking up his first professional win on the mound, Pena got the starting nod on July 15 and tossed four strong innings, allowing only one run on one hit while striking out five. In his second start, Pena tossed 3.1 innings, allowing only three hits and striking out an impressive six but did not factor into the decision.

Fellow San Jacinto hurler David Rollins is finding his spot on the mound in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. The 24th round pick began his professional career with the Bluefield Blues in the rookie Appalachian League. He went 3-0 with a 1.25 ERA in four starts. Rollins allowed only 12 hits in 21.2 innings while striking out 18 and holding batters to a .158 average before being quickly promoted to the Class-A Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League. He is 1-0 in three starts with a 2.57 ERA and has 11 strikeouts in 14 innings.

As a Pump Jack, Lee Orr was known for his power and speed. Since joining the Eugene Emeralds after being drafted in the 13th round by the San Diego Padres, Orr has carried his skills to the next level. The 2010 Texas Collegiate League Player of the Year is leading the Emeralds with four home runs, 23 RBI and 24 runs scored. He is second on the team with 11 stolen bases this season.

Since joining the Ogden Raptors this season, Matt Shelton has been nothing short of impressive for the Los Angeles Angels affiliate. The former Sam Houston State ace has a 0.87 ERA in appearances. He has allowed only eight hits and one earned run. Shelton has 12 strikeouts while giving up only two walks in 10.1 innings of relief. He picked up his first professional save on July 21, tossing two innings of scoreless work and allowing only one hit.

Elsewhere...

University of Louisiana-Lafayette standout Alex Fuselier is batting .210 in 27 games since signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates and joining the State College Spikes. He has 21 hits, a pair of triples and five RBI in his first professional season.

Fellow Ragin' Cajun alumni Greg Fontenot is making a named for himself in independent baseball. Fontenot leads the Evansville Otters with a .314 batting average. He has 33 hits, seven doubles, a triple, 12 RBI in 21 games.

Adam de la Garza had an RBI single to lift the Amarillo Sox over the Grand Prairie Air Hogs last week, 5-2. De la Garza is batting .277 with 15 doubles, three triples and 29 RBI for the Sox of the American Association.To follow all the news and to watch every pitch of the 2011 season, visit the Pump Jacks official web site at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com. Interact with other Pump Jacks fans and enjoy special promotions and polls by visiting the Pump Jacks on Facebook and Twitter.

Also in the American Association, Mark Haynes picked up his third save of the season on July 22 for the Shreveport-Bossier Captains. Haynes has a 3.30 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 46.1 innings this season.

While the Pump Jacks are #10 in the nation in summer collegiate baseball and are sitting at the top of the TCL standings, many former Jacks are spending their summers in other summer collegiate programs throughout the country.

Zac Fisher is spending his summer behind the plate for the Eau Claire Express of the Northwoods League. Fisher is batting .268 with 19 RBI season, landing him an all-star selection to represent the South division. The New Mexico State sophomore went 4-for-10 with a pair of runs scored and RBI this past weekend with a double and home run in a series against he Madison Mallards.

Fellow Pump Jack alumni Matt Juengel was on the opposite end of the Fisher's offensive explosion. Juengel has spent the second half of the summer with the Mallards, following Texas A&M making a run in the College World Series. Juengel is batting .317 in 21 games with four doubles, three home runs and eight RBI.

2010 Pump Jacks Blake Brown and Brad Kottman are teammates again this summer on the Santa Barbara Foresters. Brown is batting .278 and is second on the team with four home runs. Kottman is dominating on the hill, allowing only nine hits with 26 strikeouts in 19 innings of work. He has a 1.42 ERA with a win in his only start and one save.

The 2011 Pump Jacks look to continue their hot streak Monday, kicking off a two-game set in Coppell against the Copperheads.

The Jacks return to historic Driller Park Wednesday for a two-game series against the Brazos Valley Bombers.

The Bombers return to town for Winning Inning Wednesday presented by Jack in the Box. If the Pump Jacks score three or more runs in any innings, every fan will go home with a coupon for a free item from Jack in the Box.

The two-game set will then wrap up with Thirsty Thursday. Fans can beat the East Texas heat with $1 draft beers, $3 frozen margaritas and 50-cent soft drinks all night long.

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Texas Collegiate League Stories from July 25, 2011


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