LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Ten members of the University of Kentucky baseball team continue to hone their skills by participating in summer baseball leagues all across the country.
The statistical barrage is led by freshman Anthony Ottrando. Ottrando, a promising middle infielder, has been continuing a blistering pace in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. In 21 games, Ottrando has established himself as a premier slugger on the Altamonte Springs baseball club, leading the team in batting average (.385) and slugging percentage (.551). Ottrando, a native of Ocala, Fla., has paced the club offensively, pounding out eight doubles, 17 RBI and one home run.
Three members of the team are also participating in the extremely competitive Cape Cod League. Lexington native Collin Cowgill has been suiting up for the Brewster Whitecaps and has improved his average to .232 in 26 games. Cowgill has shown some pop in his bat, blasting two home runs, six doubles and nine RBI.
Centerfielder Antone DeJesus has also been showcasing his talents in the Cape Cod, playing for the Harwich Mariners. DeJesus, arguably the best defensive outfielder in all of college baseball, is batting .242 in 26 games. Well known as a disciplined hitter, DeJesus leads the team in walks (17) and on base percentage (.405).
Side-winding pitcher Brock Baber has been functioning primarily as the closer for the Orleans Cardinals. The reliever has earned a 1-0 record in 23.1 innings pitched. Baber has tallied two saves and has finished six games for the Cardinals.
Right-hander Duran Ferguson, fresh off combining for a no-hitter early in July, has led the Amsterdam Mohawks of the New York Collegiate Baseball League in innings pitched (48) and strikeouts (44).
Kentucky?s talented shortstop Ryan Wilkes has also been participating in a summer league, playing for the Wisconsin Woodchucks of the Northwoods Baseball League. Wilkes is batting .250 with 25 hits in 32 games.
Fellow infielders Mike Brown and Matt McKinney have also been suiting up in the Northwoods League, playing for Waterloo Bucks and the Lacrosse Loggers. Kentucky pitcher Tommy Warner rounds out the Wildcats in the Northwoods league, as he has been hurling for the Duluth Huskies.
Freshman Jason Kipnis has also had a busy summer, playing for the Covington Lumberjacks of the Valley League. Kipnis has established himself as a force at the plate and in the field, starting in the outfield and leading off the Lumberjack order. Kipnis is batting .248 with two home runs and 10 RBI.
Incoming pitcher Aaron Lovett has also been making a strong case for time on the mound for the Wildcats, playing for the Fayetteville Swampdogs on the Coastal Plains League. Lovettt, a 6-foot-5 right-hander has been dominating all summer long, earning a 1.20 ERA in 45 innings. Lovett has started eight games and struck out a team-high 46 batters, en route to a team-best five wins.
