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2008 CPL Rawlings Players of the Week for week one

June 9, 2008

Raleigh, NC — The Coastal Plain League announced Monday that Wilson's Jerry Sands and Kevin Mahoney of Forest City were named the Rawlings Co-Hitters of the Week, while Florence's Steve Grife, Daniel Barnes of Petersburg and Asheboro's Carson McLean were tabbed Rawlings Tri-Pitchers of the Week for week one of action (May 28 - June 8).

Sands, a junior at Catawba College, started six games on the week for the Tobs and finished with a .391 average. Of his nine hits, two were doubles and another two were home runs, while he also scored six runs and drove in six RBIs. Sands racked up 17 total bases to go with an impressive .739 slugging percentage and .517 on-base percentage. He was also walked six times.

Meanwhile, Mahoney, a junior from Canisius, batted .351 in nine starts for the Owls. He featured 13 hits, including five doubles and three homers, which tied for a league-best on the week. He also tallied 11 RBIs, 10 runs scored and a league-best 27 total bases. Mahoney had a slugging percentage of .730 and an on-base percentage of .395 to go with a pair of walks as well.

On the mound, Grife was perfect for the RedWolves. The 6-0, 177-pound redshirt-sophomore from Mercyhurst made two starts on the week, highlighted by a complete game, no-hitter on June 8 against rival Fayetteville. His no-hitter was the first of the 2008 CPL season and the first since June 7, 2007. Overall, the right-hander finished with a perfect 0.00 ERA and 2-0 record on the week. He pitched 15 complete innings, surrendering just one unearned run on two hits to go with six walks and an impressive 18 strikeouts.

In Petersburg, Barnes also was brilliant on the mound, making three appearances for the Generals, including two starts. The 6-1, 190-pound freshman righty from Princeton finished the week with a low 0.66 ERA and 2-0 record, while also earning a save in his other appearance. Barnes pitched 13 2/3 innings of work, allowing just one run, earned, on seven hits, while walking three and striking out 13.

Finally, McLean came on in the closer role and shut the door on Asheboro's competition. The 6-1, 175-pound freshman right-hander from UNC-Asheville made six appearances on the week for the Copperheads: picking up a win and earning a league-best four saves in 8 2/3 innings on the mound. He finished with a respectable 3.12 ERA and 1-0 record with just three earned runs on four hits against him. McLean also walked two and struck out 11.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league, now in its twelfth season. Featuring 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, the CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with wooden bats during the summer months. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.

Contact:
Justin Sellers
919-852-1960