Seals' Hess Named Player of the Month
July 10, 2009 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Victoria Seals News Release
Victoria, BC - The Victoria Seals are proud to announce that left-handed pitcher Isaac Hess has been named the Golden Baseball League's North Division Player of the Month for June. Hess, along with the South Division winner A.J. Valentine, will both be attending the GBL All-Star Game in St. George, Utah on July 14th.
Hess, the Phoenix, Arizona native, went undrafted out of South Mountain Community College after leading his team to the junior college World Series. Signing with the Frontier League in 2006, the left-hander began a comeback from a career-threatening hip replacement at the age of 19. After being named the 2007 Frontier League Championship Series MVP, and throwing a no-hitter during the 2008 campaign, Hess signed a contract with the San Diego Padres only to be released because of health concerns regarding his hip. He then joined the Seals this year and has been nothing short of stellar from the start. During the first month of the season Hess started 8 games and became the first pitcher in the GBL to reach 5 wins while compiling a 5-0 for a Victoria squad that struggled early in the year. He was ranked second in ERA at 2.45 for the month, and second in strikeouts with 46 while allowing just 15 batters to walk through 51 innings pitched.
Valentine, of the St. George Roadrunners, went undrafted out of Cal State Stanislaus after putting up some remarkable numbers. He has been a prolific slugger in the GBL now for two years, signing with the Yuma Scorpions part way through the 2007 and hitting 22 home runs in 129 games in Arizona over the last two seasons. Joining St. George this year, his power numbers continue to climb and his batting average has soared as well. During the first month of this season he led the league in home runs with 8, RBIs with 46, and slugging average at .678. He was also ranked second in doubles with 13 and second in runs scored with 42 as he went 45 for 121 and posted a batting average of .372. Valentine also played a key role in the Roadrunner's winning the first half South Division title.
The Seals now travel back to Edmonton, Alberta ahead of a three game set at Telus Field against the Capitals. Game one goes tonight, a 6:05 p.m. (PT) start time, and will be broadcast online at www.victoriaseals.ca.
Victoria then returns home following the 2009 Golden Baseball League All-Star Game to play host to Edmonton next Thursday night. Brought to you by Thrifty Foods and the Mustard Seed, the series opener against the Capitals marks Christmas in July at Royal Athletic Park, in support of the capitals region's largest food bank. Get your tickets online now at www.selectyourtickets.com, or by phone at (250) 220-7777.
• Discuss this story on the Golden Baseball League message board...
Golden Baseball League Stories from July 10, 2009
- Franchise Record Eighth Straight Win - Calgary Vipers
- First Two Arizona Summer League Players Signed to Pro Contracts - GBL
- Outlaws' first homestand of second half begins July 24 - Chico Outlaws
- Seals' Hess Named Player of the Month - Victoria Seals
- Lima, Chipotle kick off 2nd Half for Fleet - Long Beach Armada
- RoadRunners Avoid Sweep with Comeback Win 4-3 in Edmonton - St. George RoadRunners
- Caps Split Double-Dip With St. George - Edmonton Capitals
- Toros And Celebs Deliver Win For Charity - Tucson Toros
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
