Panthers Red Hot in Summer League Play
7/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
July 22, 2010
PITTSBURGH — The University of Pittsburgh baseball team has several players spread throughout the nation, playing for some of the best teams in the best leagues in what is known simply as “summer ball.”
Lefthander and 2010 All-Big East Second Team selection Matt Iannazzo was recently extended to full time with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the prestigious Cape Cod League. Iannazzo has made nine appearances for the Sox, holding a 1-0 record with one save in 13.1 innings pitched. His best start came against the Brewster Whitecaps on June 29, where he threw a summer-high three and two-thirds innings and struck out five while giving up just two hits and no runs.
Standout catcher and 2010 All-Big East First Team member Kevan Smith of the Butler BlueSox was recently named to the Prospect League All-Star team after enjoying a stellar first half to the summer. Smith, who has started in 32 of 38 games so far, leads the BlueSox in runs (27), doubles (9), on-base percentage (.431), slugging percentage (.417) and batting average (.317). Smith also ranks second on the team in RBI (19) and homeruns (1).
Centerfielder Zach Duggan, one of three Panther players on the Butler BlueSox, has started in 33 games played. Duggan’s .346 on-base percentage ranks among the top five on the team and his 12 stolen bases is tied for the team lead. Lefty Cole Taylor, the third Pitt member on the BlueSox, has made nine appearances and four starts on the hill. In 33.2 innings of work, Taylor has struck out 22 batters and is one of five pitchers to record a save on the summer.
First baseman David Chester is among the league leaders in several categories playing for the Gastonia Grizzles in the Coastal Plain League. Chester has started in 29 of 30 games, ranking first in home runs (3), slugging percentage (.451), and RBI (19), second on the team in batting average (.333), hits (34). Chester is also enjoying a stellar summer in the field at first with 274 put outs and 17 assists with no errors, ranking him first in the league in fielding percentage (1.000).
Pitchers Alex Caravella and Lucas Ellex, both members of the Sanford Mariners of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, are also enjoying successful summers. Caravella holds a 1-0 record in 11 appearances and has only given up one earned run this summer. The southpaw has a team-low ERA of 0.75, 12 strikeouts and is holding batters to a .195 average. Ellex, 1-1 in nine appearances, has thrown 9.1 innings and registered seven strikeouts.
In the Northwoods League, John Schultz leads the St. Cloud Riverbats in five statistical categories including runs (30), triples (6), walks (34), on-base percentage (.452) and slugging percentage (.456) and was named an All-Star at the mid-summer break. His .320 batting average ranks second on the team. Second baseman Travis Whitmore, playing for the Wisconsin Woodchucks in the Northwoods League ranks first on the team in RBI (24) and second in batting average (.291) and stolen bases (17).
Pitt’s third Northwoods League player is Ray Black. The right hander with a fastball in the mid to high 90s has made 14 relief appearances for the Brainerd Lunkers, totaling 12.2 innings of work on the mound. Black is 8-for-8 in save opportunities, has registered 15 strikeouts and is holding opposing batters to a meager .116 clip while maintaining a 1.42 ERA.