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Pelicans Pitching Looking Sharp Early On

May 3, 2006 - American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


The Pensacola Pelicans continued spring training on Tuesday at Gulf Breeze High School with the 28 invitees showing off why they got invited to camp in the first place. The Pelicans continue spring training from Gulf Breeze High School Wednesday at 3:00 PM. The practice is open to the public and fans are encouraged to attend. The Pelicans season opens in eight days and have until opening day to narrow the roster from 28 to 23 players.

Former Major Leaguer Clint Sadowsky has been lights out as expected and it appears that Clark Girardeau solidified his spot in the rotation by throwing four different pitches - all for strikes.

Girardeau is a native of Mobile and was a standout pitcher at University of South Alabama before being drafted in the seventh round by the San Diego Padres.

"Everyone who threw yesterday threw good enough to make the club," Pelicans Manager Kash Beauchamp stated.

The Pelicans ran several simulated games on Tuesday in order to evaluate talent and raw baseball skills and the pitching dominated. "The adage is pitching is always ahead of the hitting, but this pitching has been lights out, Manager Kash Beauchamp said, "With this team it looks like pitching will be the main strength this season."

The Pelicans dominated with power last season leading the league with 103 homeruns, 14 more than the next best team, Fort Worth.

Veteran Juan Rocha has been consistent with the bat for the first part of the spring and former Atlantic League MVP Rollo Avila showed he has the ability to get on base Tuesday afternoon. Fan favorite Larry Bethea smacked a double in a simulated game and Pensacola native Bo Brown displayed key situation hitting, much to the liking of Beauchamp.

"Brown did some unselfish things on Tuesday that showed he is a very solid team player," Beauchamp said. "He had some tough at bats, moved runners along and displayed very good situational hitting.

Brown has played in the Braves organization the past two seasons.

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