Southern League announces Batting champion and ERA leader
Published on September 7, 2005 under Southern League (SL1) News Release
MARIETTA, GA - The Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs announced today the 2005 Southern League Batting Champion and ERA Leader. The winners are as follows:
Jerry Owens - Birmingham Barons Birmingham Barons' outfielder Jerry Owens paced the Southern League with a .331 batting average this season. In his first year in Double-A ball, Owens had a stellar season, finishing among the league leaders in hits (first, 173), runs scored (second, 99) and stolen bases (tied for third, 38) in addition to winning the batting crown. Owens, who was named to the Southern League year-end All-Star Team, helped lead the Barons to a second half South Division title and the team's sixth consecutive playoff appearance, tying a Southern League record set by Nashville. Montreal selected Owens in the second round of the 2003 draft out of The Masters College in California. The Nationals traded Owens to the White Sox in exchange for outfielder Alex Escobar on February 13, 2005. He resides in Newhall, CA.
Dustin Nippert - Tennessee Smokies Tennessee Smokies' right-hander Dustin Nippert led the Southern League with a 2.38 ERA during the 2005 season. Nippert posted an 8-3 record in 18 starts with the Smokies this season, allowing 31 earned runs in 117.1 innings pitched. Nippert tied for the league lead in complete games with three and shutouts with two. Nippert won the BC Pitcher of the Week Award for the week of August 1-7. The Diamondbacks recognized his outstanding season by calling Nippert up to Arizona on September 4. Baseball America rates Nippert the 14th best prospect in the Diamondbacks' organization. The Diamondbacks selected Nippert in the 15th round of the 2002 draft out of West Virginia University. He resides in Beallsville, OH.
Southern League Stories from September 7, 2005
- Hart tops league's list of broadcasters - Knoxville Smokies
- Southern League Announces Year-End Award Winners - SL1
- Russ joins Mudcats - Carolina Mudcats
- Nippert named Topps Player of the Month for August - Knoxville Smokies
- Rhodes and NewsTalk to give Jaxx fan $1,015 in gas - Jackson Generals
- Dickerson to manage the Diamond Jaxx in the post season - Jackson Generals
- Johnson heads to Marlins - Carolina Mudcats
- Nippert wins ERA Title - Knoxville Smokies
- Southern League announces Batting champion and ERA leader - SL1
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