Merrigan Named NL Pitcher Of The Week
Published on August 18, 2003 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
(SIOUX FALLS, SD) â For the fourth time this season, a Canaries player has been honored by the Northern League as LHP Josh Merrigan has been tabbed the Daktronics Northern League Pitcher of the Week.
The Vermillion, SD native led the Canaries to their only two victories of the week, tossing 16.1 innings, allowing only two earned runs on 11 hits and four walks, striking out 12. Merrigan came two outs shy of a complete game shutout in last night's 2-0 win over the Schaumburg Flyers, tying RHP Richie Burgess' 2003 team-best with eight strikeouts.
After starting the season 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA, the southpaw had lost three consecutive starts, allowing 21 runs in 11 innings, but bounced back last week to win his sixth and seventh games. He currently is 7-4 with a 3.62 ERA, leading the team in wins and ERA among starters.
The former Oklahoma State University standout had spent the last two seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization after being selected in the 17th round of the 2001 draft, reaching as high as Advanced Class-A Potomac in the Carolina League.
OF Mike Kirkpatrick became the first Canaries player to win the award the first week of the season, while OF Tyrone Pendergrass and OF Charles Peterson were honored as the league's top hitters in back-to-back weeks in July.
The Canaries and the Sioux City Explorers kick off a three-game series at 7:03 PM at the Birdcage tonight. The final three of 16 meetings between the two teams will decide the highly sought after I-29 series, with the Explorers currently hold a 7-6 advantage.
American Association Stories from August 18, 2003
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- RailCats Manager Garry Templeton to Return in 2004 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Merrigan Named NL Pitcher Of The Week - Sioux Falls Canaries
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