Morrison to High-A, Nevarez to Houston
Published on August 19, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, N.C. - The Hickory Crawdads, South Atlantic League affiliate of the Texas Rangers, announced on Wednesday that INF Erik Morrison has been promoted by Texas to the Bakersfield Blaze in the California League (High-A). Additionally, Crawdads RHP Matt Nevarez, and a player to be named later, were traded to the Houston Astros by the Rangers in exchange for C Ivan Rodriguez.
Morrison, 23, played in 94 games with the Crawdads during the 2009 season, after joining the team on April 30. He leads the Crawdads in most offensive categories, including batting average (.297), home runs (18), RBIs (66), doubles (32), hits (105), on-base percentage (.368) and slugging percentage (.558). The Pismo Beach, California, native leads the South Atlantic League with 53 extra-base hits, ranks fourth in homers, eighth in average, second in slugging percentage and tied for second in doubles. His 32 doubles are also tied for fourth in the Crawdads single season record books. Morrison, a 2009 SAL All-Star, put together a team-high hitting streak of 15 games from June 10 to June 29, which is also tied for the seventh-longest hitting streak in the league. He also compiled two 11-game hitting streaks, which are the second-longest on the team this season. Morrison was selected by the Rangers in the 46th round of the 2008 draft out of the University of Kansas.
Morrison becomes the 11th Crawdad to earn a promotion this season, joining RF Mike Bianucci, LHP Richard Bleier, INF Jake Kaase, C Doug Hogan, CF David Paisano, OF Timmy Rodriguez, LHP Glenn Swanson and RHP Tyler Tufts on the Blaze. LHP Martin Perez is currently with the AA Frisco RoughRiders, and OF Eric Fry is with the Crawdads after spending a month with Bakersfield.
Nevarez, 22, appeared in 34 games on the season, posting a 1-4 record with a 2.83 ERA and nine saves in 11 opportunities, while serving as the Crawdads primary closer. In 35 total innings of work, he surrendered just 11 earned runs (14 overall) on 22 hits with 11 walks and 50 strikeouts. He recorded saves in four consecutive appearances from April 25 to May 8, while posting 12.86 strikeouts-per-nine-innings pitched average. The native of San Fernando, California, was selected by the Rangers in the 10th round of the 2005 draft out of high school, and was a member of the 2008 Northwest League Champion Spokane Indians last season after missing the 2007 campaign due to injury.
Crawdads Clippings: The Crawdads continue their homestand with a game against the Greenville Drive this evening at 7 p.m. All kids in attendance tonight can run the bases like the pros after the game! The series against the Drive wraps up on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. with the second-to-last $1 Beverage Night of the season!
The Crawdads then kick off the series against Asheville on Friday night at 7 p.m. with Friday Night Fireworks, sponsored by The Light 106.9 FM, as well as the Extreme Physical Science Show, presented by Catawba Science Center. The Crawdads will also usher former GM David Haas to the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame with a pre-game ceremony on Friday.
Saturday night's game features the Crawdads Beach Towel Giveaway, sponsored by Galaxy Food Centers, Dial Liquid and Bar Soap and WHKY Talk Radio 1290 AM. On Sunday, it is Bark at the Park, presented by KICKS Radio Group, when all fans are invited to bring their dogs to the game! Final bids for the Crawdads Blast from the Past Jersey Auction will be collected in a silent auction on the concourse during the Sunday game as well. Additionally, the first 1,000 fans through the gates on Sunday will receive the Crawdads Second Half Team Cards Set, courtesy of Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet.
Get Tickets: Single game tickets for all 2009 Crawdads games are on sale at the Crawdads Ticket Office and online at www.hickorycrawdads.com and start at just $6! Season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available at the Crawdads office, located at 2500 Clement Blvd. NW or by calling 322-3000.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 19, 2009
- Kang Goes Deep Twice On Wednesday Night - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Wednesday's Game Suspended Due to Rain - Greenville Drive
- Phegley provides winner in 8-7 victory - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Kannapolis tops Legends in 10, 8-7 - Lexington Legends
- Power's Streak Ends - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Streaks Ended In Tourists 9-2 Win - Asheville Tourists
- BlueClaws Shine in Series Opener - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Braves Shutout Dogs - Rome Emperors
- Wednesday's Game Suspended Due to Rain - Hickory Crawdads
- Rome Duo Subdues R'Dogs, 2-0 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Rainout Creates Super-Sized Thirsty Thursday - Augusta GreenJackets
- Limited Tickets Remain For Suns' Game On Saturday, August 29 - Hagerstown Suns
- Morrison to High-A, Nevarez to Houston - Hickory Crawdads
- Power Set to Induct Third Wall of Fame Class This Friday - Charleston Dirty Birds
- BlueClaws Return Tonight, August 19th - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Hoppers Trail Early, Rally To Win Big - Greensboro Grasshoppers
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