Pump Jacks Add Duos from Kansas State and Panola
May 19, 2015 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release
East Texas Pump Jacks Signee Tyler Moore
(East Texas PumpJacks)
In baseball, it's always nice to have a friend in the clubhouse. At least two pairs of teammates will recognize a friendly face this summer when the East Texas Pump Jacks gather for their inaugural season in Tyler.
The Pump Jacks announced Tuesday that two pairs of college teammates will join the team for the 2015 season. Catcher Tyler Moore and pitcher Corey Fischer, both juniors at Kansas State University, will be joined by the Panola College duo of catcher Chad McKinney and outfielder Hunter Owens.
Moore will put down signs for the Jacks this summer after hitting .302 with a team-leading four home runs in his first season in the Big 12. He also led the Wildcats in slugging percentage at .472 and placed second in doubles (11) and total bases (75). The sure-handed native of Shawnee, Kan., committed just three errors in 46 games as a catcher and first baseman.
Earlier this month, Moore was named Big 12 Co-Player of the Week after going 9-for-17 with two home runs, four RBI, and seven runs scored over a four-game stretch. He recorded a hit, knocked in a run, and crossed the plate in each of the four contests. Earlier in the season, Moore was tabbed the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week after batting .538 with eight RBI in a weekend sweep of Santa Clara.
Moore was an all-star last summer with the Baldwin City Blues of the summer collegiate Mid-Plains League. The 2014 MPL All-Star Game was decided in the ninth inning on Moore's walk-off grand slam.
Prior to arriving at K-State, Moore earned second-team all-conference honors for Coffeyville Community College. Moore belted three home runs, 15 doubles, and three triples all while maintaining a .363 batting average to lead the Ravens to a regional title.
Fischer showed versatility in his first season with the Wildcats, tying for third on the team with six starts while also making 12 appearances in relief. He went 4-5 with a 4.72 ERA and finished third on the team with 47.2 innings pitched. His 26 strikeouts were fourth on the staff.
Fischer starred at Madison College for his first two collegiate seasons, twice being named to the all-Region IV first team. Last spring, he posted a 9-2 record with a 2.79 ERA in 61.1 innings, and he punched out 41 while only walking 18. His 2013 numbers were almost identical, with a stingy 2.23 ERA with 53 strikeouts and 22 walks in 48.1 innings.
The Denmark, Wis., native remained in his home state the last two summers, pitching for the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League. In 2014, he went 2-3 with a 4.08 ERA in nine starts while striking out 41.
McKinney hit .292 during a successful freshman season as the Ponies' primary backstop. He clubbed five home runs and amassed 34 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 47 hits, all good for second on the team.
Success at the plate is nothing new for McKinney, who hit .491 with 28 runs and 21 RBI as a senior at Hughes Springs High School to earn a spot on the all-state team.
Owens batted .316 last spring as a freshman and finished second on the team in both RBI (29) and runs (36). He also stole 17 bases and was caught only once on his way to an all-conference selection. The White Oak native managed to double his power output this year, hitting four home runs in almost 70 fewer at-bats while leading the team with 29 walks.
A two-sport star at White Oak High School, Owens turned down collegiate football offers to continue his dream of playing baseball. He batted .476 as a senior and stole 23 bases, scoring 37 runs in just 23 games.
The new quartet will be joined by returning all-TCL outfielder James Lear and Central Oklahoma slugger Dilon Argo on the Jacks' roster for their inaugural season in Tyler. The Jacks open the season with a six-game road trip beginning May 28.
The Jacks' first home game in Tyler will be Thursday, June 4, when the Acadiana Cane Cutters visit Irwin UT Tyler Ballpark.
Images from this story
 East Texas Pump Jacks Signee Tyler Moore |
Texas Collegiate League Stories from May 19, 2015
- Pump Jacks Add Duos from Kansas State and Panola - East Texas PumpJacks
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