27 June 2007

Who’s hot

By Matt Rice
GateHouse News Service
Wed Jun 27, 2007, 05:54 AM EDT 

Harwich - Batters:
    Steve Strausbaugh- The Harwich outfielder had five hits last week and has hit in four consecutive games including two hits and a run scored in the Mariners 10-1 loss to Bourne on Sunday night in Harwich. The native of Venice, Florida, Strausbaugh is leading the team with five RBI after adding another two last week. He’s currently batting .324 with a .395 on-base percentage. 
During the teams 7-2 loss to East division leader Y-D on Monday, the soon-to-be-senior at Western Carolina showed off his arm, gunning down the Red Sox’ Sean Ochinko at home plate from right field after the Y-D first baseman tried to score from second on a base hit during the second inning.

    Alex Avila- This Mariner has found a regular spot in the lineup after another hot week in which he six hits in 17 at-bats (.352), but lowered his average from above .400 at one point early in the season, to his current .343. Avila had a solid game against Y-D Monday, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. His biggest hit came in the bottom of the first inning when he took the first fastball he saw and deposited it over the centerfield fence, just short of the Whitehouse Field scoreboard, giving the Mariners a short-lived one run lead. Avila is leading the team with 20 total bases and a .571 slugging percentage.

    Ryan Lockwood- In just his first week with the Mariners, the Florida University sophomore has gotten a hit in both games he’s appeared in. He’s also walked twice and stolen a base and is batting .400.

Pitchers:
    Corey Young- The lefty from Shrewsbury, New Jersey earned the Mariners last win, a 3-1 triumph over Cotuit last Wednesday. The Seton Hall junior pitched eight innings, giving up only on earned run on three hits, which was good for a 1.13 ERA. He also walked two and struck out two. He’s scheduled to make his second start of the summer on Thursday against the Kettlers again.

    Dan Hudson- Despite earning his first loss of the season, Hudson pitched well during the Mariners 3-1 loss to Hyannis on Saturday. The six-foot, four-inch right-hander from Virginia Beach pitched strong five innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out seven. He ran into control problems, walking five batters, before being lifted at the end of the fifth. In 10-innings pitched so far this summer, Hudson has given up only four hits and two runs, while carrying a 1.80 ERA in two starts. He’s also struck out 14 batters and walked seven.

    Matt Frevert- The right-handed reliever has allowed just one hit during his three appearances so far this summer. He’s also struck out three batters, including two during the ninth inning against Y-D on Monday. He’s saved two of the three Harwich wins this season. 

    Evan Crawford- Another solid Mariner reliever, Crawford has allowed just one earned run on one hit in more than eight innings pitched. He’s currently carrying a 1.08 ERA and has struck out 14 batters while walking only three.