SAL1 Delmarva Shorebirds

Shorebirds Game Notes

Published on April 9, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release


Delmarva Shorebirds (0-1) @ Greenville Drive (1-0)

April 9, 2010 | 7:00 P.M. | Fluor Field at the West End |Greenville, S.C.

Radio Coverage: Sportstalk 960 | www.sportstalk960.com

Shorebirds Starter: Jake Cowan

LAST SEASON IN ABERDEEN: Cowan made four starts and four relief appearances for the Ironbirds. He posted a 1-2 mark with a 2.25 ERA. His best and longest start was his last against the Staten Island Yankees on September 2nd. In five shutout innings, he allowed only three hits. He also fanned a season best six batters. Cowan was outstanding during the final month of the season. He did not allow a single run in his final 16.2 innings (four appearances). He earned his lone win on August 4th against the State College Spikes. He tossed a five inning one-hitter.

DRAFTED IN '07 BY BOSTON: Jake Cowan was selected in the 14th round of the 2007 First Year Player Draft by the Boston Red Sox. He did not sign and instead decided to play for the University of Virginia.

2008 SEASON AT UVA: Cowan spent one season at the University of Virginia. He made 13 appearances (four starts). The righty posted a 2-1 record with a 3.34 ERA. In 32.1 innings pitched, he surrendered 26 hits and 12 earned runs. He had a solid 2:1 strike out to walk ratio (28:14).

2009 SEASON AT SAN JACINTO COLLEGE: After the '08 season at UVA, Cowan decided to transfer to junior college San Jacinto. He helped in guiding the Gators to a 45-11 record and a trip to the JUCO World Series. They finished in a tie for four fourth place at the world series. Cowan posted a flawless 6-0 record with a 1.70 ERA in 63.0 innings pitched. He struck out 80 batters and walked only 31. San Jacinto has a proud tradition of ushering players into the professional ranks. Two Baltimore Orioles, Matt Albers and Mike Gonzalez, both played at San Jacinto. Andy Pettite and Roger Clemens also pitched at San Jacinto before making it to the bigs. San Jacinto is the nation's all-time winningest JUCO program. They boast five national championships.

CONLEY'S COLOSSAL NIGHT: Brian Conley went 4-for-4 (career high) against Greenville in the opener last night. It took Conley 29 at-bats last year to record his fourth hit with the Shorebirds. He recorded only 10 hits in 29 games for the 'Birds last season. Conley's previous high for hits in a single game was three, which he accomplished three different times. On June 21, 2008, he went 3-4 against the Princeton Devil Rays. On July 10, 2008, Conley went 3-4 against the Danville Braves and on August 11, 2009, he went 3-4 against the Williamsport Crosscutters. Conley's four hits on opening day are the most since the 2005 season.

BERRY BAFFLES DRIVE: Ryan Berry recorded 11 ground ball outs and four strike outs in five innings of work. The Drive scored their lone run on three infield hits.

SHOREBIRDS VS. DRIVE SERIES: The first ever meeting between the Shorebirds and the Greenville Drive took place on July 24th, 2006 at Perdue Stadium. The Shorebirds defeated the Drive 5-1. Current Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen allowed just one run in 6.1 innings to earn the win. The two teams split the season series in '06 (2-2). The Shorebirds took three of four games in an early August series in 2007. In 2008, the Shorebirds took three of four from Greenville at Perdue Stadium (7/7-7/10). Included in that series was a 14-0 drubbing on July 10th. Last season, the 'Birds also took three of four from Greenville. Including last night's game, the Shorebirds are 11-6 all-time against the Drive.

FARM WASHED OUT: Two of the three other full season Orioles affiliates had to deal with rain all night yesterday. Frederick and Lynchburg were washed out. Bowie and Richmond were suspended in the fourth inning (FRE leads 1-0). Zach Britton has a perfect game going through 3.2 innings. Meanwhile, the Durham Bulls defeated the Norfolk Tides 5-3 last night.

11 STRIKEOUTS ON OPENING NIGHT: The Shorebirds had problems making consistent contact on opening night. The combination of Yieper Castillo, Pete Ruiz and Dennis Neuman struck out 11 batters. Four Shorebirds players struck out multiple times (Carolus - 3, Kolodny - 2, Planeta - 2, Bumbry - 3).

LOTS OF LEFTHANDED OPTIONS: Although the Shorebirds will see lefties the next two nights, manager Ryan Minor has the luxury this season of several left-handed bats. Middle infielders Tyler Kelly and Mike Mooney are both switch hitters. Additionally, outfielder Steve Bumbry, Brian Conley and T.J. Baxter all hit from the left side.

HIGH SCHOOL GUYS ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN: The 2010 version of the Shorebirds features only four players that were drafted straight out of high school. They are as follows: Jesse Beal (South County High School), Tony Butler (Oak Creek High School), Matt Hobgood (Norco High School) and Michael Ohlman (Lakewood Ranch High School). The rest either went to four year schools or junior colleges.

YOUNGEST AND OLDEST: The youngest player on the 2010 Shorebirds roster is catcher Michael Ohlman, 19 (12/14/90). Meantime, the eldest statesman is pitcher Jacob Smith, 24 (10/1/85).

CLOSER ROLE: Josh Dowdy (Appalachian State) will close for the Shorebirds this season. Dowdy was a starter for the Mountaineers in 2009, posting a 6-3 mark with a 5.07 ERA (13 starts).

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