Thomas, Cotts Take SL Awards

August 8, 2003 - Southern League (SL1) News Release

Hitter of the Week

CHARLES THOMAS â GREENVILLE BRAVES

Greenville Braves' centerfielder Charles Thomas was named the BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week. Thomas hit .440 (11-for-25), drove in five runs and scored four times. Thomas smacked five extra-base hits including four doubles and a triple. For the week, the 24-year-old had a .680 slugging percentage and a .481 on-base percentage. The Atlanta Braves selected Thomas in the 19th round of the June 2000 draft out of Western Carolina University. He resides in Asheville, NC.

Pitcher of the Week

NEAL COTTS â BIRMINGHAM BARONS

Birmingham Barons' starter Neal Cotts was honored as the BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week after two outstanding outings. On August 2, the lefthander handcuffed the Huntsville Stars for seven innings picking up the win.

The 23-year-old gave up no runs on three hits while striking out seven and walking none. Cotts followed that performance on August 7 when he shutout the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx for six innings, surrendering two hits and striking out seven. For the week, the Southern League All-Star pitched 13 innings, giving up no runs on five hits will striking out 14 and walking four. The Chicago White Sox acquired Cotts in a trade with the Oakland Athletics in 2002. The A's originally selected Cotts in the second round of the June 2001 draft out of Illinois State University. He resides in Lebanon, IL.

Check out the Southern League Statistics

Southern League Stories from August 8, 2003

Rays Hold Off Mudcats - Orlando Rays
Mobile falls to Smokies in seires opener - Mobile BayBears
Bucky Blasts Smokies to Series Opening Win - Knoxville Smokies
Miller blanks Braves, 6-0 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Miller Shines for Suns - Mississippi Braves
G-Braves Thomas Named SL Player of the Week - Mississippi Braves
Thomas, Cotts Take SL Awards - SL1
Stars Take Two from Bears - Huntsville Stars

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