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Craig returns from Home Run Derby before Orleans game

by Matt Jasko
Saturday, July 04, 2015

Craig returns from Home Run Derby before Orleans game

CHATHAM, Mass.— After besting Orleans, 4-2, in the first half of a home-and-home Friday, Chatham will go to Eldredge Park to play the second half at 7 p.m. tonight. This installment of the classic rivalry will feature one player on each side who missed Friday’s contest because of participation in the College Home Run Derby.

Those two sluggers are the Anglers' (11-10) Will Craig and the Firebirds’ (14-6) Kyle Lewis. The duo earned invitations to the prestigious competition by launching 13 and 17 homeruns respectively during the college season. Lewis was eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the derby, and Craig fell to Jeff Campbell (North Dakota) in the finals. 

“It was a great experience,” said Craig, who was a fan favorite during Chatham’s July 4th parade this morning. “I got the invitation in late May, and it was fun.”

In addition to blasting homeruns off batting practice pitching, both players have continued to succeed offensively on the Cape. Lewis has launched long balls as well as anyone, finding himself tied for the league lead with four. Craig has not hit a summer homer yet, but his .441 on-base percentage is third-best in the league.

“[Craig] takes good swings and doesn’t swing at a lot of bad pitches,” said Schiffner. “The other teams know who he is, and they come at him, and he’s handled it very well.”

Pitchers on both sides will have their work cut out for them going against these two offensive forces.

The Chatham hurler who will likely take on this challenge is Daniel Castano (Baylor). The southpaw from Texas has recorded nearly double the number of strikeouts he has to walks—13:7—and brings an ERA of 3.00 into Saturday’s play.

Orleans is scheduled to pitch Corbin Burnes (Saint Mary’s). The right-hander enters play with a stat line almost identical to Castano’s—a 3.17 ERA and an 11:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

 

First pitch is 7 p.m. at Eldredge Park. Dominic Cotroneo and Jonny Wincott have the call live, starting with the Anglers Extra Pregame Show at 6:40 p.m. on TRZ Teamline and at 1-800-846-4700, code 3841.