Hardy Voted Carolina League's Pitcher Of The Year

August 30, 2007 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release

Wilmington, DE - Setting the franchise record for victories in a season was just the beginning for Wilmington Blue Rocks left-hander Rowdy Hardy. On Thursday, August 30, the Carolina League released its year-end All-Star Team with Hardy becoming the third Blue Rock pitcher in the team's 15-year history to be selected as Pitcher of the Year in the circuit. Along with Hardy, Carolina League managers, general managers, and media also voted third baseman Mario Lisson and center fielder Jose Duarte to the postseason squad.

Hardy joins Bart Evans (1994) and Zack Greinke (2003) as the only hurlers in Blue Rocks history to earn the season-long superlative. As of August 30, Hardy is pacing the league in ERA (2.43), victories (15), and innings pitched (159.0), while his three complete games are tied for the league lead. The 24-year-old has struck out 90 and walked just 15 on the season.

On August 19, Hardy allowed four hits and an unearned run over nine innings to snare his 15th victory of the season and establish a new Wilmington franchise mark. Former major leaguer Glendon Rusch (1995) and Danny Tamayo (2002) each collected 14 wins in a season.

The trio of postseason All-Star selections represents the fifth time in club history that at least three Blue Rocks were selected to the year-end team. The 1994 Mills Cup champion Blue Rocks are the lone team to have four players chosen.

Lisson and Duarte, like Hardy, were both selected to the midseason Carolina League All-Star team.

A native Venezuelan, the 23-year-old Lisson tied with Frederick's Ryan Finan for the utility infield spot on the squad. Through August 29, Lisson was hitting .278 and is second on the Blue Rocks with eight home runs and 60 RBIs. He set a franchise record by hitting in 20 consecutive games (July 30-August 24).

Duarte was voted onto the team as one of four outfielders. Entering play on August 30, the 22-year-old Venezuelan speedster is tied for sixth in the league with a .290 batting average, second with 81 runs scored, and tied for fourth in the loop with 34 stolen bases. Duarte has one home run and 40 RBIs, while his 138 base hits are tied for most in the league.

Carolina League Stories from August 30, 2007

• Bascom, Keys Turn Aside Pelicans - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Rocks Still In Holding Pattern After 3-2 Loss To Salem - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Bascom And Deluge Of Hits Nets Frederick Victory - Frederick Keys
• Avalanche solves Hardy - Salem Red Sox
• K-Tribe throw another shutout - Kinston Indians
• Kinston Blanks Winston-Salem 5-0 - Winston-Salem Dash
• Ka'aihue & Schafer Earn Year-End All-Star Honors - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Hardy Voted Carolina League's Pitcher Of The Year - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Blue Rocks Will Turn Green For Good Cause - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Warthogs First Baseman Micah Schnurstein Named Carolina League All-Star - Winston-Salem Dash
• Breast Cancer Awareness Night This Saturday - Salem Red Sox
• Mike Sarbaugh Voted Manager of the Year as Four K-Tribe Players are Selected Year End All-Stars - Kinston Indians
• Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
• Martin Joins Pelicans Front Office - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Einertson named Carolina League MVP - CarL1
• Playoff-bound Avalanche Host Toys for Tots Night Sunday - Salem Red Sox

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