FL Joliet Slammers

May 31 Joliet Slammers Game Notes

Published on May 31, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


JOLIET SLAMMERS (5-4) vs. FLORENCE FREEDOM (5-4)

Tuesday, May 31 - 7:05 p.m. CST

Silver Cross Field - Joliet, IL

Game #10 - Home Game #4 (5-4, 2-1)

LHP #31 KEVIN CRIMMEL (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP #18 PRESTON VANCIL (0-1, 7.59 ERA)

Last Time Out.

Kyle Maunus hit a solo shot in the ninth and the Joliet Slammers (5-4) survived two rain delays, including one that lasted 70 minutes, in a 5-4 victory over the Lake Erie Crushers (4-5) Sunday night. Starter Andrew Moss was excellent for seven innings, throwing one-hit ball. Meanwhile, behind two homers from Devin Shepherd, the Slammers jumped out to a 4-0 lead. But a weather delay in the eighth impacted Moss and the Crushers were able to tie the game at four. After another rain delay, this time lasting 70 minutes, the Slammers got the go-ahead run in the ninth with the Maunus solo homer. Aaron Dott picked up the Win out of the bullpen and Joliet native Ryan Quigley nailed down his league-leading third save of the year. With the victory, the Slammers are tied for first in the East Division.

For Starters.

Kevin Crimmel made his professional debut against the Windy City ThunderBolts in game two of a Double Header on May 26. He went six shutout innings and picked up the victory. The left-hander pitched four years at Villanova University where he tied the school's all-time record for appearances with 71. Mostly used out of the bullpen at Villanova, he did make 17 starts. Crimmel recently learned a cutter from Slammers' pitching coach Carmen Pignatiello.

Making the most of his opportunities.

No one on the Slammers has had more opportunities to hit with runners in scoring position than Devin Shepherd, who has 16 AB's in that situation. He's been very effective, hitting .313 with 6 RBI. However as a team the Slammers are only hitting .190 with runners in scoring position. Other success stories with runners in scoring position include Kris Kasarjian (2-4, 2 RBI) and Bobby Leeper (2-6, 4 RBI).

Pitching and Defense.

The Joliet Slammers have the best ERA (2.65) and the best fielding percentage (.985) in the Frontier League. The defense has been key because the Slammers have only struck-out 41 batters, the fewest in the league. The 26 walks issued by the Slammers' pitching staff is the second fewest in the league. Opponents are only hitting .201 against the Slammers, the lowest in the league.

Power surge.

After not hitting a home run in their first six games, the Slammers exploded for seven dingers in their series against the Lake Erie Crushers. Erik Lis and Devin Shepherd hit two homers each in the series while Josh Flores, Bobby Leeper, and Kyle Maunus each contributed one home run. Flores and Maunus' homers turned out to be the game winners in their respective games.

Above average.

Four Slammers batters are hitting .300 or better on the year, led by Kris Kasarjian at .348. Josh Flores (.345), Hector Pellot (.333), and Devin Shepherd (.300) round out the .300 hitters.

We're going streaking!

Josh Flores has reached base in every game the Slammers have played. He's also working on a six-game hitting streak.

Transaction Wire.

The Slammers released infielder Pedro Lopez today and signed infielder Brad Netzel.

Check out the Joliet Slammers Statistics

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