SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Nippert wins ERA Title

Published on September 7, 2005 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Sevierville, Tenn.- In an announcement made Wednesday by the Southern League, Tennessee's Dustin Nipprt was named the league's 2005 Earned Run Average leader.

Nippert led the Southern League with a 2.38 ERA during the 2005 season. Nippert posted an 8-3 record in 18 starts with the Smokies this season, allowing 31 earned runs in 117.1 innings pitched. Nippert tied for the league lead in complete games with three and shutouts with two. The right-hander from Beallsbille, Ohio, won the BC Pitcher of the Week Award for the week of August 1-7. The Diamondbacks recognized his outstanding season by calling Nippert up to Arizona on September 4, making him the first Smoky to earn a major league call up with the Diamondbacks. Arizona selected Nippert in the 15th round of the 2002 draft out of West Virginia University.

Birmingham Barons' outfielder Jerry Owens paced the Southern League with a .331 batting average this season. In his first year in Double-A ball, Owens had a stellar season, finishing among the league leaders in hits (first, 173), runs scored (second, 99) and stolen bases (tied for third, 38) in addition to winning the batting crown. Owens, who was named to the Southern League year-end All-Star Team, helped lead the Barons to a second half South Division title and the team's sixth consecutive playoff appearance, tying a Southern League record set by Nashville. Montreal selected Owens in the second round of the 2003 draft out of The Masters College in California. The Nationals traded Owens to the White Sox in exchange for outfielder Alex Escobar on February 13, 2005. He resides in Newhall, CA.

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Southern League Stories from September 7, 2005


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