A look back at Week 7 in the
Texas Collegiate League Robert and Russell Young (Dartmouth) of the Wichita Falls Roughnecks accomplished a feat that has never been done in the TCL. Last Friday, Russell started game one of the double header against the Copperheads and Robert followed as the starting pitcher of the second game. It was the first time in the TCL that brothers were tabbed as the starting pitcher in the same day. Both had great outings but, to make it even more interesting, Roughnecks reliever Alberto Gutierrez (Northwood) received the win in both games. WEBER STREAKLast night, LoneStars catcher Tyler Weber (Wichita
State) extended his hitting streak to eight games with a 3-for-4 performance against the Denton Outlaws. Weber’s current hitting streak is a season high for any LoneStar player. The longest hitting streak in the TCL during a single season is 14 games by former LoneStar Kenton Gedwed (Baylor) in 2006.PLAYERS LOSTTeams across the TCL have been victims of losing key components going into the crucial portion of the schedule. Players like Weatherford ace Jon Kibler, (5-0, 1.36 ERA, 29K – signed with Tigers), Denton pitcher Steven Maxwell (3-0, 0.56, 39K-injured), Mineral Wells closer Andy Womack (3 saves, 0.00 ERA, 24K-injured), Wichita Falls OF Drew Bias (.256, 2 doubles, 3 RBI-injured) and Weatherford OF Jamie Johnson (.321, 5 doubles, 5 RBI- injured). NEW BATTING LEADERCoppell’s Jeff Nutt (Arkansas) has recently passed the required amount of at-bats to be eligible for the TCL league leaders. Nutt has been incredibly consistent at the plate as his average continues to float around .400. The Razorback product currently leads the TCL with a remarkable .393 average. Nutt and Preston Clark (.319) are two of the reasons that Coppell is the league’s top hitting team posting a .265 team average.COPPELL BRINGS OUT THE STICKSThe Copperheads smashed a TCL season-high 21 hits against the Wichita Falls Roughnecks during a 13-2 victory Tuesday. Jonas Fester (Johns Hopkins) led the charge going 4-for-6 with a pair of runs and a RBI. Four Coppell batters in the starting lineup had a multiple RBI game. Jeff Nutt went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.GAME OVERThe role of the closer might seem like a simple task to some. Come in the game and throw one or two good innings to finish out the win. But, in most cases, the key element for the closer is to maintain their composure in high-pressure situations. This season in the TCL, several pitchers who have been tabbed as the team’s closer have dealt with the pressure well. Roughneck’s Ryne Miller (
Weatherford
College) leads the league with six saves followed by Weatherford’s Jeremy Erben (Weatherford College) and
Brazos
Valley ’s Tyler Davis (McNeese State) that have five. The most saves in a season came last year as
McKinney ’s Randall Taylor tallied nine saves.SPEAKER SWITCHIt seems every day you look at the standings in the Speaker division, a different team is in first place. All teams so far in that division has held the top spot at one point during the season. Currently, the Bombers are at the peak but the LoneStars won three straight before last night’s loss to creep back into the race trailing by 1.5 games. Coppell is 2.5 games back with their record falling a game under .500 and
Duncanville is still within grasp at 3.0 back.REAL LIFE OUTLAWSThe Denton Outlaws are known to keep the opposition’s pitchers on their toes as they have led the league in stolen bases for two straight years. They continue their reputation this year by leading the TCL in stolen bases with 63. Denton’s Tyler Ladendorf (Howard College) leads the league swiping 16 stolen bases and teammate Thomas Field(Texas State) is behind him with 13.TCL PLAYOFF INFORMATIONThe top two teams in each of the division (chosen by winning percentage) will compete in a best of three series. The first place team hosts the first and third (if necessary) games with the second place team hosting the second game. The championship round consists of the winner of each division series competing in a best of three series. The team in the championship series with the best regular season record hosts the first and third (if necessary) games.YOU COMPLETE MEDenton’s Trevor Harden (
New Mexico ) has shown his consistent strength to go the distance. Harden leads the league with three complete games which is two more than any other pitcher in the league. He also tops the list of innings pitched with 47 IP.UPCOMING PROMOTIONSThe teams in the TCL have a full schedule of great promotions and giveaways. Here is a look at the upcoming promotions for the remainder of July.Thur, 26th Coppell – Koozie Night Fri, 27th Denton – THR Backpacks Colleyville – Awful Night Sat, 28th Coppell – National Night Out, THR Backpacks Colleyville – Free Gas Night Sun, 29th Denton – Dollar Dog Night Coppell – Player Name Night BVB – Bombsquad Kids Club McKinney – $1 All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Mon, 30th Mineral Wells – THR Backpack BVB – College Night Tues, 31st
Denton – $2
Ticket Tuesday