A trio of former Indiana State and Terre Haute players have assisted the Charlotte Knights into first place through the first half of the International League season.
The Knights sport a 50-42 record, promoted eight players to the Chicago White Sox and had four players named to the IL All-Star team.
Relief pitcher Brian Omogrosso is one of the eight reaching the White Sox roster, catcher Josh Phegley was an IL All-Star — he went 0 for 2 in the Triple-A All-Star game in Buffalo on Wednesday — and Matt Zaleski is a starting pitcher for the Knights.
Charlotte took over the top spot in the IL South Division June 5, currently owning a three-game lead over Norfolk prior to its current weekend series.
Notes — Brady Shoemaker batted .331 at Winston-Salem and is currently hitting .323 since being promoted to Birmingham. He has a four-game hitting streak, going 6 for 12 in that span. … Mitch Stetter recorded his ninth hold for Huntsville on July 6 vs. Chattanooga. … Derek Eitel has three losses and a no-decision in his last four starts for Mobile. … Jake Petricka has 16 strikeouts in his last 11 innings for Winston-Salem. … Brett Merkley earned his third save (July 7 vs. Billings) and his first hold (July 11 at Ogden) for Great Falls. … Dakota Bacus recorded his first save for the AZL A’s vs. the AZL Reds on July 6. … Blake Drake walked six batters in his first two innings since joining Rockford.
Transactions — none.
Updates on former Indiana State, Rose-Hulman, Terre Haute Rex or Wabash Valley-connected players this week:
• Clint Barmes — Barmes was 2 for 7 with one RBI in two games for Pittsburgh.
• Nevin Ashley — Ashley was 2 for 13 in four games on a rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League Rays
• Josh Phegley — Phegley was 1 for 11 in three games for Charlotte.
• Ryan Strausborger — Strausborger was 6 for 23 with a home run and four RBI in six games for Frisco.
• Brady Shoemaker — Shoemaker ws 6 for 16 with a double, triple and four RBI in six games for Birmingham.
• Nick Ciolli — Ciolli remains on the 7-day DL for Winston-Salem.
• Kyle Lafrenz — Lafrenz remains on the 7-day DL for Clearwater.
• Jeremy Lucas — Lucas was 1 for 9 with one RBI for Mahoning Valley.
• Stephen Bruno — Bruno was 6 for 22 with two doubles in six games for Boise.
• Jake Eigsti — Eigsti was 3 for 13 with a double in four games for Camden.
• Pascual Del Real — Del Real was 1 for 9 in four games for Edinbug.
• Alex Guthrie — Guthrie was 3 for 11 with two RBI in three games for Gateway.
• Joe Thatcher— Thatcher made one relief appearance for San Diego. In 2⁄3 of an inning, he allowed no runs, no hits and no walks with one strikeout in a no-decision vs. Cincinnati on July 8.
• Brian Omogrosso — Omogrosso made one relief appearance for the Chicago White Sox. In 21⁄3 innings, he allowed one hit, two earned runs and three walks, with one strikeout in a no-decision vs. Toronto on July 8.
• Matt Zaleski — Zaleski made one start for Charlotte. He went four innings, allowing one unearned run, three hits, with one walk, two strikeouts in a no-decision vs. Norfolk on July 8.
• Mitch Stetter — Stetter made two relief appearances for Huntsville. In a combined 11⁄3 innings, he allowed no runs, no hits and no walks, with one strikeout.
• Derek Eitel — Eitel made one start for Mobile. In six innings, he allowed six runs (five earned), eight hits and one walk, with two strikeouts in a loss at Pensacola on July 9.
• Ryan Tatusko — Tatusko made one start and one long-relief appearance for Harrisburg. In a combined 121⁄3 innings, he allowed two earned runs, 12 hits, with four walks, 11 strikeouts. He had a win in the start at Bowie on July 6, then a no-decision in his long relief outing vs. Richmond on July 12.
• Jake Petricka — Petricka made one start for Winston-Salem. In six innings, he allowed three earned runs, four hits, with three walks, eight strikeouts in a win vs. Lynchburg on July 9.
• Colin Rea — Rea made one start for Fort Wayne. In 31⁄3 innings, he allowed three runs (two earned), eight hits, with two walks, three strikeeouts in a loss vs. Bowling Green on July 6.
• Jason Van Skike — Van Skike made one relief appearance for Kannapolis. In two innings, he allowed no runs, no hits, with two walks, two strikeouts in a no-decision on July 11.
• Brett Merkley — Merkley made two relief appearances for Great Falls. In a combined three innings, he allowed no runs, three hits, with two walks, two strikeouts.
• Brandon Dorsett — Dorsett made two relief appearances for Bluefield. In a combined four innings, he allowed no runs, two hits, with no walks, three strikeouts at Burlington (July 8) and at Pulaski (July 12).
• Dakota Bacus — Bacus made two relief appearances for the AZL A’s. In a combined 31⁄3 innings, he allowed two earned runs, five hits, with one walk, one strikeout.
• Blake Drake — Drake made two relief appearances for Rockford. In a combined one innings, he allowed two earned runs, no hits, with four walks, no strikeouts.
Through games of Thursday
Position players
Player (Team; Class/Parent club) AB R H HR RBI Avg.
Clint Barmes (Pittsburgh) 245 15 60 4 22 .204
Nevin Ashley (Durham; AAA/Tampa Bay) 69 9 17 1 4 .246
Josh Phegley (Charlotte; AAA/CWS) 293 23 77 1 30 .263
Ryan Strausborger (Frisco; AA/Texas) 297 42 74 3 32 .249
Brady Shoemaker (Birmingham; AA/CWS) 315 66 104 14 64 .330
Nick Ciolli (Winston-Salem; A-Adv./CWS) 160 27 43 4 25 .269
Kyle Lafrenz (Clearwater; A-Adv./Phil.) 47 3 7 0 2 .149
Jeremy Lucas (Mahoning Valley; A-Clev.) 31 2 9 0 3 .290
Stephen Bruno (Boise; A/Cubs) 73 16 23 0 7 .315
Jake Eigsti (Camden; Ind.) 224 24 54 2 26 .241
Pascual Del Real (Edinburg; Ind.) 125 11 26 0 13 .208
Alex Guthrie (Gateway; Ind.) 30 4 8 0 4 .267
Pitchers
Pitcher (Team; Class-Parent club) IP H BB SO W-L Sv ERA
Joe Thatcher (San Diego) 22.1 18 9 24 0-2 14 2.82
Brian Omogrosso (Chi. White Sox) 4.0 5 3 2 0-0 0 6.75
Matt Zaleski (Charlotte; AAA/CWS) 86.1 84 37 50 3-3 0 3.96
Derek Eitel (Mobile; AA/Arizona) 97.1 110 30 59 6-7 0 4.53
Mitch Stetter (Huntsville; AA/Milwaukee)
20.1 11 7 25 1-0 0 1.77
Ryan Tatusko (Harrisburg; AA/Washington)
44.1 43 24 37 2-2 0 4.06
Jake Petricka (Winston-Salem/A-Adv./CWS)
81.2 91 49 84 5-6 0 6.29
Colin Rea (Ft. Wayne; A/San Diego) 64.0 63 27 53 2-5 0 3.23
Jason Van Skike (Kannapolis; A/CWS) 18.2 16 8 15 3-0 1 4.82
Brett Merkley (Great Falls; R/CWS) 13.0 17 6 9 1-1 3 2.77
Brandon Dorsett (Bluefield; R/Tor.) 11.0 9 1 8 1-0 0 0.82
Dakota Bacus (AZL A’s; R/Oakland) 6.1 6 1 2 2-0 1 2.84
Blake Drake (Rockford; Ind.) 2.0 0 6 1 0-0 0 9.00
Dennis Clark can be reached at dennis.clark@tribstar.com and followed on Twitter @TribStarDennis.
Sports Columns
FROM TERRE HAUTE TO THE MAJOR LEAGUES: 1st-place Knights have strong Valley ties
- Sports Columns
-
-
RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
Sunday promises to be a super day in Indianapolis.
It’s the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 followed by Indiana vs. Miami in the third game of the National Basketball Association playoffs. -
TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
In its rich 43-year history, the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic has long carried on a strong local racing tradition.
From its early beginnings starting in 1971, the U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned event has been the annual centerpiece of the racing calendar at the Terre Haute Action Track as well as a key stop on the USAC sprint schedule and one of the most sought after wins in big league sprint-car racing. -
Shooters compete to fight cancer
A team of employees at Taghleef, formally A.E.T, would like to give a personal invite for you to join in on a lot of fun while helping save lives.
Cindy and Mark Wilguess are the inspiration behind the Taghleef Team. Cindy herself fought this battle with cancer and won. Last year she led her team to be the No. 1 fundraisers in the Relay for Life. -
TILL IT'S OVER: Terre Haute Triathlon's new race director seeks more events for his hometown
Today is the day for the Thunder in the Valley, and the Terre Haute Triathlon is under new leadership in 2013, the 28th year for the event at Hawthorn Park.
A former Terre Haute North track and cross country standout, Ethan Page is the race director as the race falls under the reign of Page’s new company, Crossroads Events. -
TODD GOLDEN: Don't give up on ISU baseball just yet
If you had to pick one word that would describe the 2013 Indiana State baseball season, it would have to be frustration.
-
TRACKSIDE: Terre Haute's Carmichael enjoying strong spring in modifieds, stocks
It might have been cold and blustery at Charleston Speedway on Saturday night, but for Terre Haute driver Kenny Carmichael the evening couldn’t have been more pleasant.
-
From Terre Haute to the major leagues: Phegley's play could earn him promotion to Chicago
Josh Phegley's debut in the Major Leagues could be coming to a ballpark near you.
-
There's an expert at Parker's Archery
As I was driving the winding roadways of southern Indiana, a rustic building caught my attention and the sign on the front revealed it to be an archery shop called Parkers Archery.
-
TRACKSIDE: Rain still a pain for Wabash Valley racing organizers
Soggy weather conditions, which have rightfully drawn the ire of Wabash Valley race fans and crews in recent days, continue to plague promoters where it hurts the most — their pocketbooks.
-
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Pacers having a ‘Garden Party’
The Indiana Pacers are back in form and looking good.
-
KENNY BAYLESS: Sponsors sought for 'Ladies Only' event at Terre Haute Sporting Clays
Sponsors are being sought at the Ladies Only event at Terre Haute Sporting Clays on Saturday at 10 a.m. Sponsors should be willing to donate $1 or more for every broken bird. Each lady is allowed 25 shots. Flat donations are gladly accepted. Also, organizers are looking for more ladies to participate. Ammo, clay birds, and guns (if needed) will be furnished.
-
College Report: Lively earned collegiate upgrade with strong play
Hillary Lively signed to play Division II basketball at Maryville (Mo.) during her senior year at North Vermillion, but those plans changed and she would up at nearby Danville Area Community College — where she recently concluded an outstanding two-year career.
Lively was impressive enough to earn a Division I scholarship to Southeast Missouri State of the Ohio Valley Conference, and both her future and past college coaches think she will continue to succeed there.
“She fits what we need,” SEMO coach Ty Margenthaler said. “She has college experience, she is strong and physical and plays well around the basket and moves well.
“Her strength, rebounding and touch around the basket will be a big help. On the defensive end, she’ll be able to guard a true center.” -
RAMBLIN' RECK: It’s May … a time for horses and horsepower
It’s the first day of May, a great month for sports.
It begins with the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. My Old Kentucky Home is played before the start of the race on which hundreds of bets will be placed by folks who ordinarily don’t bet on thoroughbred horse racing.
A week later, practice begins for the Indianapolis 500.
-
Terre Haute runner sets up race to help Boston
Having competed in the Boston Marathon once before in 2003, 35-year-old Majel Wells of Terre Haute thought she should give it another try in 2013.
“My goal was just to finish and enjoy Boston,” she reflected this week. “I had an injury [runner’s knee] beforehand, so I wasn’t too worried about beating my time from 2003 [4 hours, 10.20 seconds].
“But nobody cares about what your time is at Boston anyway.”
From what I’ve heard over the years, she’s right. Unless you’re a super-serious runner, the Boston Marathon has been more about taking in the atmosphere and having fun than placing in the top 50, although Wells was pleased that she beat her previous time by finishing in 3:55.19 on April 15.
Obviously, her race time wasn’t the most vivid memory that Wells took away from her 2013 Boston experience. -
Amey Takes Aim: NHL playoffs to put TVs to good use
If Jenny had known, she probably wouldn’t have bought that TV.
But four or five years ago, my Fathers Day present — for those unfamiliar with Amey family traditions, the Fathers Day one is “let’s get something we all really want and pretend it’s a gift for Dad” — was a 42-inch Vizio. It’s been used even more than the cell phone I never would have bought for myself, or the TomTom that disappeared since Jenny’s smartphone arrived.
And it came with high-def.
I’m not going to insult you by telling you how great high-def is, because to do so would be to imply that you are even farther behind the technological curve than I am. I’m guessing, however, that not all of you have yet discovered what it does for hockey. -
Foot Notes: ISU track athletes looking to keep improving at Drake Relays
Indiana State’s track schedule has helped its men’s and women’s teams escape the glacial Wabash Valley weather and enjoy warm days in Auburn, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn.
With the Sycamores’ track facility basically laid to rest for competition and construction on a new one planned near the Wabash River to begin in 2014, major kudos go to everyone involved for continuing to produce athletes that are NCAA contenders who race with some of the world’s best.
Some of ISU’s current athletes are hoping for season-best performances this weekend against strong competition in the Drake Relays.
Former Sycamore NCAA pole-vault champion Kylie Hutson, who competes professionally for Nike and trains in her hometown of Terre Haute, also has been in Des Moines, Iowa, to compete in the Pole Vault in the Mall on Wednesday night. -
REDNECK QUAKER: Variety of birds to search for in turkey hunting
My father-in-law, Donnell Dunn of Jacksonville, Fla., is a retired engineer from J.I. Case and an avid reader and loves information on anything he takes interest in. He has five patents under his belt during his career.
Donnell took great interest in the Turkey World Slam display at Gander Mountain and thought each bird needed some info to help people understand more about them. -
TRACKSIDE: USAC racing picking up, including Sunday's stop in Terre Haute
With a break in the weather, U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned racing will kick into high gear on the area motorsports scene this weekend with events scheduled at three Indiana ovals.
-
Ramblin’ Reck: Sato first Foyt winner since 2002
Takuma Sato made Izod IndyCar Series history Sunday when he won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
-
Former South players to play in Saylor benefit game
I had my first phone conversation with Mike Saylor since mid-February on Thursday and he sounded good.
The former Terre Haute South High School boys basketball coach, who’s been battling cancer this year, has been traveling back and forth to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for chemotherapy treatments. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Valley prep athletes getting ready for next level
The NCAA “regular” signing period begins Wednesday for all sports except football, field hockey, soccer, track and field, cross country and men’s water polo.
-
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Pacers closing out a nice season
In case you hadn’t noticed, the final games of the regular season will be played this week in the National Basketball Association.
-
Amey Takes Aim: Can’t bottle the joy of Amey vacations
The first bad sign was the Gatorade bottle.
In the Bataan-Death-March drive to Orlando that got the Amey family spring break vacation off to a bad start, seeing it between lanes of I-24 — as we zipped along at a 100-miles-in-five-hours clip — filled with an ominous yellow liquid was a little bit scary. And although we didn't stop to check for sure, I'm fairly certain I knew about its contents.
And the person stuck in the same traffic jam with us, the one with the existential license plate YMIHR4, couldn’t have asked a more pertinent question.
But, after seeing a lot more of Oak Grove, Ky., than we’d planned, and after enduring more traffic slowdowns in Nashville, we were on our way. Even some rain in the dark in the Smokies didn’t slow us down much, so you would think our first-day troubles were over.
You would be wrong. -
Redneck Quaker: Mascari gets thrills from turkey hunting
Annie Mascari is a beautiful, vibrant, 26-year-old lady that loves the outdoors.
She comes from a large family of four brothers and a sister and lives the teachings of good family values.
Olivia Rightly let me know that I “should talk to my teacher at St. Pats School, Ms. Mascari, because she’s taken a turkey.”
As I shook Annie’s hand, I could feel the energy she has for life. As proof, the first time she went up in an airplane, she jumped out of it!
She’s also quite the hunter. Mascari picked up a used PSE bow for $30, one for a left-hander because her left eye is dominate for shooting. The Page Arrows are her choice for broadheads. -
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Louisville gets two shots at NCAA title
Louisville met Michigan in the championship game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Monday. Louisville faces Connecticut in the title tilt of the women’s tournament tonight.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Learning to shoot clays a great experience
Tom Mitchell from Burnett is an all-around outdoor enthusiast. His passions are motorcycles, cars, and most of all, shooting sports. When he sights in on metal target shooting with a hand gun or rifle you will hear a lot of “clang” noises, he can shoot very quiet also, because he is licensed to own suppressers.
-
TRACKSIDE: Racing season picking up speed
With several tracks already open and others scheduled to get underway this weekend it’s a sure sign the area motorsports campaign has taken the green flag for the 2013 season.
-
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Out with the hoops, in with the bats
It’s a super week for sports fans — college basketball comes to a close and the first baseball games are played in the major leagues.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Conferences honor Valley softball players
Several Wabash Valley area college softball players have been honored by their respective conferences for outstanding play this spring.
-
FROM THE PRESSBOX: Content McKenna has enjoyed seeing ISU's progress
It all happened so fast in June 2010.
One minute, Kevin McKenna was head coach of the Indiana State men’s basketball program. Then — poof! — he was gone.
McKenna resigned from his head coaching position at ISU on June 13, 2010 to take an assistant coach position on Dana Altman’s then-burgeoning University of Oregon staff. - More Sports Columns Headlines
-
RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Today in History May 25
Today in History May 24
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Britain Braces for Possible Copycat Attacks
Raw: Tightrope Walk Between Cathedral Spires
ShowBiz Minute: Shelton, King, Lopez
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
Young protestor goes viral on Youtube
Toronto Mayor says he's not a crack head
Maine island offers lighthouse getaway
Should We Prepare for Quakes?
Lynn Kindergarten Class Rescues Ducklings
Congressional gold medal awarded to civil rights heroes
Charles Ramsey visits Kentucky
Unique Display Greets Guests At Revel Casino
Cape Cod Train Service Worries Residents
BASE jumper rides snowmobile off cliff to honor dead friend
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
SHOCKING: School Guard Throws Girl Down Stairs
Star Wars X-Wing Star Fighter Made of Legos
Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested in New York
Singer Psy Has An Imposter
President Obama Heckled at National Security Speech
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
More lewd photos may soon come out: Weiner
