Deacons in the Pros Update - July 17
7/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
July 17, 2008
Winston-Salem, N.C. - The professional baseball season has reached the midpoint of the season. Below is a recap of what former Demon Deacons playing in the professional ranks have done over the past couple of weeks.
Matt Antonelli (2004-2006) - Playing second base for the Portland Beavers, a Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres in the Pacific Coast League ... In 86 games, he is hitting .192 with 12 doubles, three triples, and three home runs ... Leads the team in walks with 57 and is tied for second on the team in runs scored with 38 ... Drove in the game winning run in the 10th inning in victory over Sacramento (7/2).
Ryan Braun (2000-2002) - Hard-throwing reliever for the Kansas City Royals, who underwent reconstructive elbow surgery earlier this year and is out for the season ... In the previous two seasons, he appeared in 35 games for the Royals with a 6.66 ERA and 2-1 record ... Assigned this spring to Triple-A Omaha but never pitched before undergoing surgery.
Dave Bush (1999-2002) - Currently with the Milwaukee Brewers as a starting pitcher ... Compiled a 5-8 record with a 4.39 ERA this season in 18 appearances, including 17 starts ...Struck out a career high 13 batters and didn't allow an earned run in eight innings pitched in the Brewers 11-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies (7/10) ... Recorded 66 strikeouts in 106.2 innings pitched.
Jamie D'Antona (2001-2003) - Starting third baseman for the Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders, an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Pacific Coast League ... Leads the team with a .375 batting average and ranks second on the team in home runs (15) and RBIs (61) ... Also leads the team in doubles with 31 and slugging percentage at .616 ... Represented the United States in the 2008 XM All-Star Futures Game on July 13 at Yankee Stadium ... Won the 2008 Triple-A Home Run Derby, hitting eight home runs in the competition ... Went 1-for-4 and scored a run as a member of the PCL All-Star Team at the Triple-A All-Star Game in Louisville, Ky.
Josh Ellis (2004-2007) - Relief pitcher for Visalia Oaks in the Single-A Advanced California League ... Has compiled a 2-2 record with a 1.85 ERA in 25 appearances ... Second on the team in saves with six ...Picked up sixth save of the season in Visalia's 5-2 victory over Lake Elsinore (7/3), pitching two scoreless innings and allowing three hits while striking out two.
Andy Goff (2004-2008) - Shortstop for the Casper Ghosts in the Rookie-level Pioneer League ... Appeared in nine games since joining the team in early July and is hitting .227 with three RBIs ... Picked up first base hit as a professional against Missoula (7/8) ... Scored a run and had a RBI against Missoula (7/16).
Mike MacDougal (1997-1999) - Relief pitcher for the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox ... Started the season in the majors with the White Sox and threw 8.2 innings and allowed two earned runs and struck out seven ... Joined the Knights on April 26 and has an 0-3 record with a 5.74 ERA in 24 appearances ... Has recorded four saves for the Knights.
Eric Niesen (2005-2007) - Starting pitcher for the St. Lucie Mets in the Single-A Advanced Florida State League ... Has compiled a 4-9 record with a 4.46 ERA in 17 appearances, including 16 starts ... While starting for St. Lucie this season, he has a 4-9 record while posting a 4.46 ERA over 82.2 innings of work ... Pitched four innings in start against Tampa Yankees (7/10), giving up only one run on five hits in four innings pitched.
Cory Sullivan (2000-2001) - Outfielder for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies ... Hitting .308 with six home runs and 38 RBIs on the season ... Team leader in doubles with 25 and second on the team in runs scored with 56 ... Hit sixth home run of the season and drove in three runs in game against Sacramento (7/9) ... Played in nine games at the major league level this season, hitting .167 in 12 plate appearances.
