More Releases

The latest round of Spring Training releases hit the Silver Hawks alumni hard, as all four once played here at the Cove.

Those that were released today are:

Bryan Byrne (2006)
Jeff Dietz (2008)
Errol Hollinger (2010)
TJ Hose (2009)

I don't know the first two guys, but saw them while I was with Dayton.  Byrne had success at AA, but struggled in his lone AAA appearances in 2009 and will soon be 27.  Dietz surprises me a bit, as his ERA was only 4.03 at AA last year.  He's 25 though, so time was running out.

Hose excelled in South Bend, with a sub 2.00 ERA in 2009.  He struggled last year in Visalia with a 6.41 ERA.  Hollinger was a four year college player, so he was a bit older.  He hit the ball well at the beginning of last season with South Bend, tailed off towards the end, and apparently has been passed on the depth chart by a few others so the D-backs cut him loose. 

As always, we wish these guys the best of luck in either landing with a new team or moving on to something new. 

Tonight's Lineup - August 13th

A chance to sweep the Looooooooooooooooooooonnnsssssssssssssssssss.

Keon Broxton - CF
David Nick - 2B
Bobby Borchering - DH
Matt Davidson - 3B
Ramon Castillo - 1B
Errol Hollinger - C
David Narodowski - LF
Victor Estevez - SS
Ender Inciarte - RF

Randy Rodriguez - SP

Pregame interview will be with South Bend catcher Errol Hollinger.

Pregame show starts at 6:40 PM. First pitch is at 7:00 PM.

Fallen Heroes Night Footage

Saturday, August 7 was Fallen Heroes Night at Coveleski Stadium. About 40 police, fire, and EMS vehicles paraded around the field before the game. Additionally, catcher Errol Hollinger was awarded the Corporal Paul Deguch Community Award for the volunteering he's done in the South Bend community.

Below is some footage of the event and a brief interview with Hollinger.

Tonight's Lineup - June 28th

David Nick - 2B
Victor Estevez - SS
Bobby Borchering - 3B
Matt Davidson - DH
Ramon Castillo - 1B
Alberto Diaz - CF
Matt Helm - LF
Andrew Fie - RF
Tyson Van Winkle - C

Diogenes Rosario - SP

Tonight's pre-game interview will be with catcher Errol Hollinger. Pre-game show starts at 6:40 with the first pitch at 7:00 PM Eastern.

Featured Silver Hawk - Errol Hollinger

This week's featured Silver Hawk is catcher Errol Hollinger. In the article, Hollinger talks about what it was like to not be drafted and his plans for a career after baseball.

More on Van Winkle to All Star Game

I received an email question tonight asking why Tyson Van Winkle went to the all-star game instead of Errol Hollinger.

The short answer: I don't know.

The long answer: When an opening happens on Sunday afternoon when the game is on Tuesday, there is a scramble to find somebody to fill the spot. Sometimes they take someone who is geographically close, sometimes they take the best available player, sometimes they take a player who has nothing else to do for the next couple of days.

Remember, they have to find a replacement in less than 24 hours and many other players have already booked flights or other plans.

I'm not saying Tyson Van Winkle doesn't deserve to go, but Errol Hollinger clearly had better offensive number. Van Winkle is a great defensive catcher and has good at-bats, but he's been slumpling lately.

I have no idea if Hollinger was asked first. I have no idea if another catcher from another team was asked first. All I know is that Tyson Van Winkle will be in Fort Wayne on Tuesday playing for the Eastern Division All-Stars.

I hope this helps.

From the Notes - June 10th

Some tidbits from today's media notes:

-A win tonight would put the Silver Hawks at the .500 mark for the first time since May 10th (when they were 16-16).

-The Silver Hawks have clinched a fourth straight series win (2-1 vs. LAN, PEO, BUR, currently 2-0 @ QC).

-Alberto Diaz now has a six game hitting streak, a personal high for 2010 (career long is 12 games in May-June of 2009).

-Matt Helm had four RBIs yesterday for the second time in the last four games.

-Errol Hollinger has hit in all six of his games since returning from the disabled list (.474, 9-19, 6 RBIs, 4 BBs).

-Reliever Diogenes Rosario has allowed just one unearned run in his last 18.0 innings pitched.

Roster Move and Protest Lost

Good afternoon from suburban Cleveland.

The Silver Hawks had a roster move today, activating catcher Errol Hollinger from the disabled list. This puts the Hawks roster back at 25 active players.

Also, the protest from Saturday's game has been denied. Apparently, it was ruled an umpire's judgment call. I'm not shocked that it was denied, but I do think the Silver Hawks had a very good argument.

Today's Roster Move

Catcher Errol Hollinger on the DL with a left shoulder strain.

Catcher Jae Yun Kim joins the club from extended spring training.

The full story is on www.silverhawks.com.

Back with the lineups shortly.

Tonight's Lineup - April 30th (and Babineau Update)

Broxton – CF
Owings – SS
Borchering – 3B
Davidson – DH
Nick – 2B
Diaz – RF
Estevez – 1B
Van Winkle – C
Narodowski – LF

Brewer – SP

Pregame interview is with Errol Hollinger. Pregame Show at 6:10 PM. First pitch at 6:30 PM.

I talked with Ryan Babineau briefly today, and unfortunately he seems a bit discouraged about his injury. I don't have any information as to the extent of it or how severe it is, but he's definitely going to be out for quite a few days and perhaps much longer.

From the Notes - April 30th

TEAM NOTES:
• The Silver Hawks committed three errors last night after having only four in the previous nine games (won eight of the nine).
• The bullpen allowed five runs last night after allowing just two runs in the previous 16.2 innings pitched.
• South Bend has swept two series, won another 2-1, lost one 2-1, and been swept three times on the season.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:
• Eric Smith ranks 3rd in the league in ERA, 2nd in WHIP, and has a 21.0 consecutive scoreless inning streak.
• Errol Hollinger had an eight game hitting streak snapped yesterday, going 0-2 with a walk.
• Catcher Ryan Babineau left yesterday’s game in the second inning with an apparent hip/leg injury.
• Matt Davidson had three hits yesterday and now ranks fifth in the league with a.359 batting average.

OTHER:
-The Silver Hawks are 0-8 when being outhit by their opponents.

Parkview Field Photos and Notes

If you go to this link, the first 5 posts are photos of Parkview Field from last year.

Now, some tidbits from today's notes:

HALEY’S CHASE FOR MILESTONE VICTORIES
• Mark Haley entered 2010 with 456 career victories (442 regular season, 14 postseason wins) and 375 wins for the Silver Hawks
• As of today, Mark needs 36 wins to reach 500 in his career, and 17 wins to reach 400 with South Bend

TEAM NOTES:
• The Silver Hawks have won seven straight and eight of their last nine after dropping nine straight to start the season.
• The Silver Hawks have committed just three errors during the seven game winning streak and rank 7th with a .971 fielding %.
• After going winless in the first 11 starts this season, the South Bend rotation has five wins in the last seven games.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:
• Matt Davidson had two hits Sunday, extending his hitting streak to 10, the longest for a Silver Hawks player this year.
• Keon Broxton leads the MWL with five triples on the season, including three in the last five games.
• Eric Smith ranks 3rd in the league in ERA, T-3rd in WHIP, 5th in Opp Avg., and has a 21.0 consecutive scoreless inning streak.
-Errol Hollinger has a seven game hitting streak and has thrown out 39% of would-be basestealers.

From the Notes

A couple of tidbits from today's Media Notes that may be of interest to you:

-The Silver Hawks ranks 12th out of 16 teams in batting average

-South Bend ranks dead last in team ERA

-The Silver Hawks are one of six teams in Minor League Baseball without a win so far.

- Alberto Diaz has hits in five of the first six games of the season, including his first multi-hit game on Tuesday.

-Errol Hollinger threw out two base stealers on Tuesday, and has now caught 4-of-11 potential base stealers.