The Will call on Hoppers’ SAL All-Star reps

from Will Cornelius Greensboro Grasshoppers’ media rep:

GRASSHOPPERS LAND FOUR ON ALL-STAR TEAM

Greensboro, NC – South Atlantic League President Eric Krupa announced four Greensboro Grasshoppers representatives will participate in the 2009 All-Star Jamboree festivities.

Pitchers Pete Andrelczyk and Johnny Dorn along with corner-infielders Ben Lasater and Paul Gran were selected to the All-Star team by SAL managers, coaches, general managers, and media representatives.

Pete Andrelczyk, a second-year Grasshopper, has proven himself as a dominant closer during the first half of the season. Andrelczyk remains perfect in save opportunities thus far, and remains tied for second in the Sally League with 11 saves. His 45 strikeouts are good for second on the staff, despite throwing 30 innings less than the club’s leader.

Right-hander Johnny Dorn has enjoyed his own success on the mound in the first half of the season, posting a team-high six wins along with a 3.11 ERA. Dorn’s 43 strikeouts ranks third on the club, while his 63.2 innings pitched is tops on the staff.

First basemen Ben Lasater is excelling in his first full season in Greensboro after belting seven home runs in limited action during the 2008 campaign. Lasater garnered Marlins’ Minor Leaguer of the Month honors for April after a .410 clip with five home runs and 18 RBIs. He currently ranks in the top five in all but one of the team’s offensive categories, and leads the South Atlantic League in doubles and extra-base hits.

Paul Gran, the Grasshoppers’ iron man, has appeared in 53 of the 56 contests thus far. He is currently hitting .272 and ranks third on the team in on-base percentage. Gran’s 27 walks are tops on the team while his 53 hits are good for second. Gran has connected on two home runs in the first half, and falls behind only Lasater in the doubles category.

Both Lasater and Gran were selected as starters for the contest, with Lasater appearing at first-base and Gran at third-base.

The All-Star festivities, hosted by the West Virginia Power at Appalachian Power Park, kick off Tuesday June 23rd at 6 p.m. with the home run derby. The All-Star game immediately follows, with first pitch scheduled for 7:35 p.m.

The Grasshoppers finished the 2008 season with an attendance of 440,787 and have welcomed over 1,715,000 fans to NewBridge Bank Park, drawing over 400,000 fans in each of its first four years at the new downtown ballpark. The team is the proud recipient of both the South Atlantic League’s Club Merit Award and the General Manager of the Year Award for the past four years.

Tickets and group packages are now on sale for the 2009 season. For more information, please contact the Grasshoppers office at 336.268.BALL or visit www.gsohoppers.com.

Greensboro All-Star Statistics (through 6/8):

RHP Pete Andrelczyk – 0-0, 1.29 ERA, 22 G, 11 S, 28 IP, 22 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 45 SO, .212 OBA

RHP Johnny Dorn – 6-3, 3.11 ERA, 11 G, 63.2 IP, 66 H, 25 R, 22 ER, 14 BB, 42 SO, .267 OBA

INF Ben Lasater — .309 AVG, 60 H, 22 2B, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 18 BB, .385 OBP, .562 SLG, .947 OPS

INF Paul Gran — .272 AVG, 53 H, 13 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 27 BB, 7 SB, .364 OBP, .369 SLG, .734 OPS

Will Cornelius
Media Relations, Intern
Greensboro Grasshoppers Baseball

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