Hawke, Zocchi, Albitz, Smith Garner Saltdogs Awards
Published on August 22, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
LINCOLN - First baseman Phil Hawke (Player of Year), closer PJ Zocchi (Pitcher), shortstop Vance Albitz (Rookie) and power utility man Curt Smith (Newcomer) all earned end-of-year awards, announced during Sunday evening's win over Winnipeg.
Hawke was named club Player of the Year for the second time in his three-season tenure in the Capital City. Lincoln's first baseman is hitting .295 with a team-high 20 home runs and 74 RBI. The Baton Rouge native has also set the club's single-season record for walks, with 80 and counting.
Zocchi booked his 20th save in 21 chances Sunday evening and is now just two saves shy of equaling a single-season Saltdogs record. The stopper has struck out 38 in 35 innings and sports a svelte 2.06 ERA.
Albitz took over the starting shortstop duties at the end of June and has been very productive for manager Marty Scott ever since. The Torrance, Calif. native is hitting .314 with 42 runs, 22 RBI and eight stolen bases, all while playing spectacular defense.
Smith is no stranger to awards: he took home America East Conference Player of the Year as a senior at the University of Maine and followed it up with an Appalachian League Player of the Year as a rookie in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. In his first year in Lincoln he is hitting a team-high .337 with seven home runs and 40 RBI, and has also swiped a career-high six stolen bases.
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