Wingnuts Add Emporia State Closer Talkington to Bullpen
June 16, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (June 16, 2015) - The Wichita Wingnuts have a number of nearby universities from which they can collect talent in the middle of any given season. With the addition of former Emporia State right-handed reliever Shawn Talkington on Tuesday,the Wingnuts now have four former Kansas collegiate stars on their roster. Former Newman University and Tabor College standout Kori Melo was released to make room for Talkington.
The 6'0 right-hander decided to attend nearby Emporia State University after an outstanding high school career at Chase County High. Talkington was named the Class-2A Player of the Year in 2009 after he went 6-2 with a whopping 124 strikeouts.
After a redshirt year in 2011, Talkington made his debut for the Hornets in 2012 and posted a 2.79 ERA over the span of 48.1 innings. That performance earned him the MIAA Freshman of the Year Award. His sophomore season was equally impressive and included an outing in which he fanned a collegiate-high 12 hitters against Central Oklahoma.
As a junior he posted a 9-2 record with a solid 2.85 earned run average over a career-best 82.0 innings. The native of Cottonwood Falls made 13 starts and struck out 76. This season, his last with Emporia State, he began the season as a starting pitcher before being shifted to the bullpen and serving as the team's closer. He appeared in 26 games, 21 in relief and recorded 12 saves. Talkington held opponents to a .218 batting average while wrapping up his college ability by going 5-4 with a 4.33 ERA. He whiffed 63 in 60.1 innings for a team that lost in the Regional Level of the NCAA Division II tournament.
Melo had appeared in just two games since being signed on June 9th. He spent the entirety of spring training with the Wingnuts as well.
Wichita opens a six-game road trip on Tuesday night in Gary at 7:10 p.m. For information on season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
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