Skyhawks season recap
September 5, 2009 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Sussex Skyhawks News Release
The Sussex Skyhawks 2009 season was filled with record breaking events, on and off the field. In the beginning of June, the contract of first baseman Matt Weston was sold to the Houston Astros. He is continuing his season with the Lancaster JetHawks, a High-A class team in the California League and is currently batting .290 with 14 home runs in 81 games this season. The 25-year-old was a 12th round selection of the San Francisco Giants in the 2006 MLB draft. He played in 2006 with Salem-Keizer and in 2007 with Augusta before joining Sussex last season.
On the field, the Skyhawks topped league records and had several players named Batter of the Week. The Can-Am League announced Sussex Skyhawks RHP Kyle Ruwe as Pitcher of the Week for the week ending June 21. Ruwe lead the Can-Am League as the number one pitcher that week, with an ERA of 1.26 and a record of 3-0. For the week ending July 5, first baseman John Urick was named Player of the Week, batting .429 with one home run and six RBI through five games during the week. Second baseman Chris Brown was also named Batter of the Week for the week ending August 2. Brown batted .429 during the week with two home runs and 13 RBI. He banged out nine hits, including two doubles, scored four times and had a slugging percentage of .810. Outfielder Maikel Jova led the league in hits and in August 18th's game, Jova's two run-home run in the bottom of the first was his 100th hit of the season.
Ending the season, the Can Am League announced Sussex Skyhawks third baseman Chris Kelly and outfielder Maikel Jova have been named to the 2009 All Star Team. Newcomer Chris Kelly was traded from the American Defenders of New Hampshire to Sussex on August 25, hitting .265 with 19 HR, 88 hits, and 46 runs scored. Outfielder Maikel Jova is one of three to win the outfielder spots, hitting .315 with 118 hits, 74 RBI and 26 doubles. In August 18's game against New Hampshire, Jova hit a two run home run in the bottom of the first; it was his 100th hit of the season.
The 2009 season was packed with on and off the field promotions. June included the highest home stand attendance in the history of the Skyhawks. Throughout a four game stretch from June 16-19, the Skyhawks averaged 3,536 fans. June 16 featured the first reading program night. Due to an overwhelming record response, the Skyhawks added June 17 as well as July 19th as additional reading dates. "Score an 'A', Score a Ticket," sponsored by D&H Alternative Risk Solutions, began four years ago with the simple intention of rewarding students for their academic achievements. With a record enrollment of 41 schools and nearly 11,000 students this year, the program has been a major success and has soared past expectations. The Skyhawks also hosted the Franklin Sussex Auto Mall Monster Truck Crush after June 6th's game. The Raminator monster truck stands at 10ft tall and weights 10,300 pounds. A popular promotion each year continues to be fireworks nights. There were 8 fireworks displays throughout the season which drew in an average of 3,126 fans each game.
On August 30, the Skyhawks hosted the Doctor-Lawyer Softball game which benefits United Way and its' partner agencies. It was the 27th year the two groups faced each other. The lawyers won the game 16-14, which brings the overall standings for the series to 14-13 in favor of the lawyers. Also featured that week was on September 2nd, when the Skyhawks hosted an autograph session with Hall of Fame Catcher Yogi Berra before the game versus Quebec. Fans arrived at the stadium hours before to be one of the 300 that received vouchers for the autograph session.
The Sussex Skyhawks and the Nicholas Legacy Fund, LLC have announced that motorcycle daredevil "Kaptain" Robbie Knievel will be part of a fundraising event at Skylands Park on September 19.
The event will include a jump by one of the most recognizable names in the world - Robbie Knievel. In addition to the Knievel jump performance, the day will include a motorcycle run, a meet and greet session with Robbie Knievel, live performances by the Rolling Stones and Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute bands. Ongoing raffles and silent auctions will be taking place to assist in the fundraising efforts of the Nicholas Legacy Fund. Tickets start at $24 for the day's event and can be purchased thru the Nicholas Legacy Fund by logging onto their website www.nicholaslegacyfund.com In addition, the Nicholas Legacy Fund is on hand at the Chatterbox for bike night each Thursday and tickets can be purchased at that location. Tickets can also be purchased through the Skyhawks by contacting Matt Myers ( x11 - mmyers@sussexskyhawks.com) or Ben Wittkowski ( x18 - ben@sussexskyhawks.com).
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Canadian American League Stories from September 5, 2009
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