The Season Opener

The Asheville Tourists won their season opener on the road against the West Virginia Power last night 3-0 behind the pitching of First Round Supplemental draft pick out of Radford, Eddie Butler. He is the #6 Prospect in the Colorado Rockies organization according to Baseball America. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit, struckout 7 and walked only 1. He consistently stayed in the high 90's and one pitch even hit the 100 MPH mark. Relievers Roberto Padilla (1 2/3 IP), Rayan Gonzalez (1 IP), and closer Raul Fernandez, who struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth for his first save, finished off the shutout. The Tourists were led at the plate by Catcher Tom Murphy (the #14 prospect) and Third Baseman Jason Stoltz with two hits a piece. The Tourists did strike out 12 times but it was not the best of weather conditions. Designated Hitter Kyle Von Tungeln and Rightfielder Julian Yan (the #20 prospect) drove in a run a piece. #2 Colorado Rockies prospect David Dahl, had a rough Asheville Tourists debut going 0-4 with 3 strikeouts but every hitter is going to have games like that. I am excited about the numbers he is going to put up at McCormick Field.