Southern League Hitter and Pitcher of the Week Awards
May 12, 2008 - Southern League (SL1) News Release
MARIETTA, GA - Hitter of the Week RUSTY RYAL, 2B, MOBILE BAYBEARS
Ryal discovered his power stroke in the first full week of May, more than doubling his extra-base hit total for the season. After collecting just six extra-base hits through his first 28 games, Ryal produced three doubles and a Southern League-leading four home runs during the week. The 25-year-old Ryal also led the league with 11 RBI, tied for the top spot with nine runs scored and ranked third with a 1.040 slugging percentage. Ryal began the week with a pair of doubles and a home run at Huntsville on May 5. He added a homer and three RBI the next night and smacked a three-run blast in a 12-2 victory over the Stars on Thursday. Returning to Hank Aaron Stadium following a 10-game road trip in which he collected 14 RBI, Ryal went 2-for-2 with a double and a solo homer against Jacksonville on Saturday. A native of Ponca City, OK, Ryal ended the week ranked fourth in the league with a .355 average overall.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG Ryal 25 9 11 3 0 4 11 0 .440
Pitcher of the Week JAMES McDONALD, RHP, JACKSONVILLE SUNS
McDonald continued his dominance over a pair of foes during the week, posting a 1.38 ERA against Carolina and Mobile. The 23-year-old McDonald matched zeros with Chris Volstad for seven innings Tuesday, striking out nine batters without issuing a walk. The native of Long Beach, CA was not involved in the decision, however, as the Suns did not score until the eighth inning of a 2-0 victory. Offensive support was not a problem in McDonald's next start at Mobile. Given a five-run lead before he took the mound on Sunday, McDonald allowed two runs and six hits in six innings of an 8-4 win. Since joining the Southern League last summer, McDonald has gone 4-0 with a 1.73 ERA, 43 strikeouts and just five walks in 36 1/3 innings against the Mudcats and BayBears.
W-L IP SO BB H ERA SV McDonald 1-0 13 16 1 11 1.38 0
Southern League Stories from May 12, 2008
- BayBears Rally Late for Monday Victory - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Barons Pound Out 7-2 Win Over D-Jaxx - Birmingham Barons
- BayBears Beat Kershaw, Suns - Mobile BayBears
- Biscuits' Pen Hands Braves Win - Mississippi Braves
- Two HR's by Colvin still not enough as Smokies lose 9-7 - Knoxville Smokies
- Homer Happy Huntsville Wins Again - Huntsville Stars
- Ryal Bags SL Hitter of the Week Award - Mobile BayBears
- Southern League Hitter and Pitcher of the Week Awards - SL1
- Rain Postpones Sunday's Game; Double-Header, Tomorrow - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Szymanski Blasts Two Homers, Leads Lookouts to 5-4 Win - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Lookouts to Give Away Free Gas - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Mudcats Blank Lookouts, 4-0 - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Strait Blasts Walk-off Homer in 3-2 Win - Chattanooga Lookouts
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