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SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Seven RiverDogs, manager, trainer, named South Atlantic League All-Stars

June 11, 2004 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


(Charleston-SC)- A record seven Charleston RiverDogs have been named to the Southern Division team for the 45th Annual South Atlantic League All-Star Game, June 29 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, the League announced Friday.

In addition, RiverDogs manager Steve Livesey has been named skipper of the club, and Jimmy Southard will handle the training duties for the Southern Division.

The seven All-Star players, including two starters, are believed to be the most ever by a Charleston team. The RiverDogs will have more players in the game than any other South Atlantic League club.

RiverDogs manager Steve Livesey, in his first season as a skipper in affiliated baseball, has guided the club to a 36-23 record, and has the team in position to contend for the first half division championship, a title Charleston has never won. Livesey was voted in as skipper of the Southern Division squad.

The two RiverDogs voted in as starters are catcher Colt Simmons and infielder Elliot Johnson.

Simmons is in his first full season of pro ball after spending the last two years in the Rookie Appalachian League. His .304 batting average leads the RiverDogs, and all South Atlantic League catchers. Earlier this season, Simmons had a 20-game hit streak.

After an injury-plagued 2003, Johnson has returned for his second season with the RiverDogs and been a force as their leadoff man. The team-leader in runs scored and stolen bases, Johnson has even shown some power at the plate, blasting five home runs including a span May 27-28 in Greensboro where he homered in four consecutive at bats, in four consecutive innings.

Delmon Young, the first overall selection in the 2003 June Draft has been named as a reserve outfielder on the club. Young's batting average has hovered around the .300 mark, and he remains among the league leaders in runs batted in and leads the RiverDogs in hits.

Making the move from the outfield to first base has not fazed Wes Bankston offensively. The team-leader in runs batted in, slugging percentage, walks, and clutch hits, Bankston has been named a reserve infielder on the Southern Division squad.

Three RiverDogs pitchers made the team, including starter Brian Bulger. In his second season with Charleston, the right-hander has tied a club-record with 17 career victories, and is 6-1 this season.

Right-handed pitcher Chad Orvella, in his first full season as a pitcher after playing shortstop for NC State the past two years, has been selected to the team with his remarkable numbers out of the bullpen. Orvella has a 0.92 ERA in 17 appearances, and has 63 strikeouts in just 39 1/3 innings pitched.

Scott Vandermeer is the third RiverDogs pitcher named an All-Star. Converted from starter to reliever during spring training, Vandermeer began the season with 23 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. His nine saves are tied for fourth in the league.

Trainer Jimmy Southard is in his first season with the RiverDogs. He spent last season in the Rookie Appalachian League, working with the Princeton Devil Rays.

The 45th Annual South Atlantic League All-Star Game is presented by Sprint, Comcast and the Town of Mt. Pleasant.

Tickets for the 45th Annual South Atlantic League All-Star Game, June 29 at Riley Park, are available by visiting the Riley Park Box Office, by phone at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) and online at etix.com and riverdogs.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 11, 2004


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