Lawrence & Mata Chosen Appalachian League Players of the Week
August 16, 2004 - Appalachian League (ApL) News Release
The Sports Network has selected Kingsport outfielder Horace Lawrence and Elizabethton closer Frank Mata the Appalachian Player and Pitcher of the Week ending Sunday, August 15th.
The 23-year old Lawrence had an incredible week at the plate. All Lawrence did was lead the league in batting (.455), slugging (.970), on-base-percentage (.525), homers (4), RBI (15) and tied for the league lead in stolen bases with four.
The 6-4, 215 lb California native has taken nicely to the Appalachian League, hitting safely in all nine of his games last week. In fact, Lawrence is in the middle of a 15-game hitting streak and has hit in all but one of his 18 games at Kingsport this season.
Lawrence opened the week with two hits against Princeton , clubbing a home run and driving in three runs. One night later, he went 3-for-5 and added two hits the next night, driving in two runs for the Mets. In his last four games of the week, Lawrence went 6-for-14 with three home runs and 10 RBI.
Since joining Kingsports in late July, Lawrence is batting a torrid .406 with four homers an 21 RBI.
The 20-year old Mata pitched brilliantly and was a big factor in the Twins 5-3 record last week. Although he was not involved in any decisions this week, he did not yield a run in five appearances spanning 4 1/3rd innings. He recorded three saves by striking out eight and walking but one batter.
Mata notched his first save against Johnson City Tuesday night, striking out the side and preserving a 3-2 Twins victory.
Wednesday night, Mata was called on again after three consecutive hits and one run. Mata came on and struck out Tony Granadillo for the final out of a 6-3 Twins wins.
Friday night, he retired the side in order to preserve a 2-0 victory over Burlington-R in the first game of a double-header.
Mata is 1-2 with 10 saves and a 4.30 in 20 games this season for the Twins.
Appalachian League Stories from August 16, 2004
- Astros rally against Cardinals, 5-4 - Greeneville Astros
- Danville Destroys P-Rays - Princeton WhistlePigs
- Burlington bears down, pulls past Pulaski - Burlington Sock Puppets
- Tuesday Night (August 17) Sweatshirt Giveaway - Princeton WhistlePigs
- Free admission, special prizes, other giveaways at tonight's game - Princeton WhistlePigs
- Lawrence & Mata Chosen Appalachian League Players of the Week - ApL
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