Deacons in the Pros Update - June 19
6/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 19, 2009
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Several former Wake Forest baseball players are making an impact for their professional teams. Below is an update on how former Deacs are faring in the professional ranks.
Dave Bush (1999-2002) is a starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers and has posted a 3-3 record with a 5.31 ERA in 14 appearances, including 13 games started. Bush ranks second on the Brewers with 78 innings pitched. In his last start against Cleveland on June 15, Bush allowed eight runs on six hits in 3 1/3 innings. The Brewers are currently in first place in the National League Central Division, a game and a half ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mike MacDougal (1997-99) was signed by the Washington Nationals on May 3 and was recently moved to the closer role for the Nats. MacDougal has appeared in 10 games with Washington and has recorded two saves with a 1.04 ERA. He earned his first save against the Yankees on June 17. With runners at the corners and one out, MacDougal forced Robinson Cano to ground into a game-ending double play. MacDougal picked up his second save in as many games on June 18.
Jamie D'Antona (2001-03) is in his first season with the Tokyo Swallows of Japan's Central League. D'Antona has played in 50 games and has a .237 batting average. He ranks second on the team with 26 RBIs. The Tokyo Swallows are 34-22 and second in the Central League.
Matt Antonelli (2004-06) has played 31 games for the Portland Beavers, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Antonelli is hitting .175 on the season with two home runs and 11 RBIs. Antonelli went 3-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs against Fresno on June 12.
Cory Sullivan (2000-01) is an outfielder for the Buffalo Bisons, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. Sullivan has played in 59 games with the Bisons and is hitting .273 with two home runs and 16 RBIs. Sullivan is hitting .364 over his last 10 games with five RBIs. He went 4-for-6 with two RBIs and two runs scored against Durham on June 11.
Josh Ellis (2004-07) is a relief pitcher for the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ellis has appeared in seven games with the BayBears and is 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA. Ellis has not allowed a run in his last three starts, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings in the span.
Eric Niesen (2005-07) opened the season with the St. Lucie Mets, but was recently promoted to the Binghamton Mets, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets. Niesen was recently named to the Florida State League South Division All-Star Team after compiling a 3-4 record with a 3.28 ERA in 11 games started. Niesen made his first start with Binghamton on June 13 against Trenton. He allowed five runs in five innings pitched and suffered the loss.
Allan Dykstra (2006-08) has started his first full professional season with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, a Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Dykstra has played in 60 games and is hitting .207 with four home runs and 26 RBIs. Dykstra has been patient at the plate, drawing 54 walks, which ranks second on the team. He went 3-for-5 with a homer, an RBI and three runs scored against West Michigan on June 16.
Andy Goff (2004-08) opened the season with the Modesto Nuts, but was recently moved to the Asheville Tourists, the Class-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Goff's first game in uniform with the Tourists was on June 16. He has yet to appear in a game with Asheville.
Eric Williams (2006-08) is playing with the Big Bend Cowboys in the Continental Professional Baseball League. Williams has played in 14 games with Big Bend and is hitting .333 with a homer and four RBIs. Williams has posted a .475 on-base percentage with a .438 slugging percentage.
