Week ahead for Surf

August 4, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Atlantic City Surf News Release


Worcester, Mass. - Coming off a weekend series in Brockton in which they won two out of three games, the Atlantic City Surf continue their road trip with a four-game set against the Worcester Tornadoes starting Monday night. The Surf are currently in first place in the second half with a 14-6 record, and have won 19 of their last 26 games. Atlantic City enters the game 2-4 against the Tornadoes so far this season, taking two out of three in Worcester June 3-5, before being swept at Bernie Robbins Stadium June 20-22.

Pitching matchups for the series:

Monday: Brian Rodaway (8-5, 3.13) vs. Junior Guerrero (5-4, 6.35), 7:05

Tuesday: J.C. Huguet (7-4, 5.19) vs. Tom Cochran (11-0, 1.90), 7:05

Wednesday: TBA vs. Alex Pena (2-3, 4.30), 7:05

Thursday: Rory Shortell (6-2, 5.24) vs. Matt Weagle (8-5, 4.18), 7:05

The Surf return home on Friday for a three-game set against the Nashua Pride. Atlantic City is 6-1 against Nashua so far this season.

Friday's game is Egg Harbor Township Night at the ballpark, with a postgame fireworks show presented by Bernie Robbins Jewelers. Ticket availability for Premium Box seats for Friday's game is limited.

On Saturday, the Surf will hold Gospel Night, with a pre-game gospel music concert on the field. In addition, another area municipality will hold its special night at the ballpark, with Longport Night on tap for Saturday evening.

Sunday will see an appearance by former Phillies' star Greg Luzinski, who will be selling his "The Bull" barbecue sauce on the concourse.

For ticket information to any upcoming Surf game, contact the box office at (609) 344-7873. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.acsurf.com.

TEAMLINE DIRECT PLAYERS OF THE WEEK NAMED

Cheshire, Conn. -- Sussex Skyhawks INF Matt Weston and New Jersey Jackals LHP Rusty Tucker were selected by the official statistician of the Can-Am League, PA-Sportsticker, as the Teamline Direct Batter and Pitcher of the Week.

Weston batted .478 with three home runs and five RBI in seven games for the Skyhawks. He scored 11 runs to go along with 11 hits, a .957 slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .571. On the season, the 24-year-old University of Houston graduate is hitting .313 with 14 home runs, 38 RBI and a .563 slugging percentage. Weston is tops in the league in home runs and fourth in slugging percentage.

Tucker was solid this past week for the New Jersey Jackals. In four appearances, the 28-year-old pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing only a walk, while striking out three batters and notching three saves. Currently the lefty closer is 2-2 with a 2.25 ERA and a league-leading 18 saves. In 28 innings pitched, he has struck out 33 batters and held opponents to a batting average of .180.

SURF NEWS AND NOTES

LF Joe Burke has been hot recently, hitting .375 in his last ten games. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native has moved up to ninth in the Can-Am League in batting average with a .329 mark.

Other Surf players among the league leaders in offensive categories include DH Clyde Williams, tied for second with 50 RBI; SS Anthony Granato, fourth with 52 runs scored and a .421 on-base percentage, and second with 21 steals; and RF Josh Burrus, fourth with 19 stolen bases and fifth with 31 extra-base hits.

Despite missing his last two starts due to injury, Adam Cox, the Can-Am League's July pitcher of the month, still leads the circuit with 96 strikeouts, and is third in the league with a 2.12 ERA.

-Walker Whitley continues to be indefatigable out of the bullpen; the righthander is first in the Can-Am with 31 appearances. He's a member of a relief corps that has helped the Surf to a 33-2 record when the team is leading after seven innings.

Meanwhile, Brian Rodaway has been eating up innings as a starter, and is currently second with 97.2 innings pitched. The Lincoln, Neb., native is also fifth with 69 strikeouts, and seventh with a 3.13 ERA.

The Surf lead the league with 93 stolen bases, while the pitching staff has allowed just 100 doubles to opposing hitters, fewest among the eight teams.

Atlantic City has lost just once on a Monday this season.



Canadian American League Stories from August 4, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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