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SL1 Jackson Generals

Three Generals Named Southern League Postseason All-Stars

August 30, 2016 - Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


Jackson, Tenn. - The Southern League announced its Postseason All-Star Team for 2016 Tuesday, and three Generals were honored: outfielder Tyler O'Neill, second baseman Tim Lopes and left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough. Three of the 15 players selected were members of this year's Jackson squad, giving the team its biggest group since 2012 and its second-largest ever. The Generals were one of just two teams to have more than two players honored.

O'Neill has been a force to be reckoned with all season long. The 21-year-old from British Columbia is in the hunt for a Southern League Triple Crown with seven games to go in the regular season. As of August 29, he leads the league with 99 RBI while ranking second with 24 home runs and a .297 average. O'Neill's two-run homer in game one Monday against Biloxi gave him the single-season franchise record for runs batted in, besting Julio Zuleta's 97 in 1999.

The outfielder ranks among the league leaders in virtually every offensive category. As of Tuesday, O'Neill leads the circuit in on-base percentage (.379), slugging percentage (.521), extra0base hits (54) and total bases (246). He also is tied for second with 140 hits and tied for fourth with 61 walks. He also has 12 stolen bases in 14 tries and nine outfield assists on defense while playing in 124 of the team's 132 games.

It has been a year of honors for O'Neill, who was one of eight Mid-Season All-Stars for the Generals. He was named Southern League Player of the Month in May after hitting .349 with `8 extra-base hits and 25 RBI in 28 games, giving the Generals their first monthly award winner since 2012. In addition, he is one of six Generals to win a Player of the Week Award.

Perhaps the highlight of O'Neill's season was his eight-RBI performance June 8 versus Pensacola. O'Neill capped off the performance with a walk-off grand slam to give the Generals an 8-4 win. The eight RBI tied a franchise record set by Dorian Speed in 1999. His 28-game on-base streak in April and May was the longest for a General since 2014, and he drove in a run in eight-straight games in late May.

Yarbrough was named the league's best left-handed pitcher. The Lakeland, Florida is 12-4 with a 2.92 ERA through 24 starts for the Generals. He is tied for the league lead in wins while ranking second in ERA (2.92), WHIP (1.10) and opponents' average (.228). In 126.1 innings, Yarbrough has 98 strikeouts and only 31 walks.

Twice this season, Yarbrough was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week. He threw a seven-inning complete game shutout against Mobile April 30, kicking off a stretch of six-straight victories for the southpaw. Yarbrough was honored again after throwing six one-hit innings to earn the win in Montgomery August 3. So far this year, Yarbrough is holding lefties to a .186 average and a .533 OPS.

Lopes has been one of the most productive and consistent infielders all season long. Jackson's second baseman has played in 124 of the team's 132 games including a league-best 118 at his primary position, posting a .290 average that ranks fifth in the circuit. His 140 hits are tied with Tyler O'Neill for second in the league, and Lopes is fifth with 73 runs scored through Monday's action.

The 22-year-old has come on strong in the Second Half, posting a .306 average since the All-Star Break including a .350 clip in the month of August. Lopes has a 12-game hit streak in addition to on-base streaks of 24 and 18 this season with the Generals. He has anchored a defense that has the best fielding percentage in the league and turned 114 double plays.

The Postseason All-Stars were determined by votes from Southern League field managers, general managers, radio broadcasters and media members. The entire All-Star Team is attached. Jackson's three representatives were one shy of a franchise record set in 2005 when Ricky Nolasco, Renyel Pinto, Matt Murton and Brandon Sing were honored.

The Southern League Most Valuable Player, Most Outstanding Pitcher and Manager of the Year will be announced Wednesday. The Generals have had one MVP, two Most Outsanding Pitchers and two Manager of the Year winners in the team's 19-year history.

Jackson looks to rebound and regain the top spot in the fourth game of the series at MGM Park Tuesday night. Paul Blackburn (8-5, 3.41) takes the ball for the Generals against Biloxi's Jorge Lopez (1-3, 4.19), last year's Southern League Pitcher of the Year. First pitch is set for 6:40 pm CT, and you can catch all the action on the TJ Network (AM 1390, FM 94.1) in Jackson and online via the TuneIn Radio App starting at 6:25 pm CT!

After five in Biloxi, the Generals return to West Tennessee for their final home series of the regular season! Thursday, September 1 is a State Farm Agent Wes Harris Dollar Night, with $1 general admission tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, Pepsi products and select beer! Saturday, September 3 is the team's annual SEC Night presented by Tennova Health Care. The Generals will be giving out SEC football tickets throughout the night, and a lucky fan will also go home with a La-Z-Boy recliner courtesy of Coffman's Home Furnishings! Postgame, everyone will enjoy a fantastic fireworks display!

The regular season concludes September 4 and 5. The Sunday game is a Family FunDay Sunday, with children 12 and under getting free admission, ice cream, fun zone access and a chance to play catch on the field pregame! The finale starts at 2:05 pm on Labor Day! After the game, fans can enjoy music and then fireworks to end the celebration thanks to WBBJ!

Get your tickets to see the playoff-bound Generals as they wrap up the regular season by calling the team at (731) 988.5299, stopping by The Ballpark or going online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com !

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Southern League Stories from August 30, 2016


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