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Show /port/ B2 MONDAY'AUGUST 22*2005 Owlz reliever looking for a perch ~ Phillip Morgan 9 T . Sports Writer It's every kids dream to make it to "The Show." On 2 July, Orem Owlz relief pitcher Kevin Lynch took a giant-sized leap to^ ward making that dream a reality. 2 It" was on that day that Lynch was called ^ u p from Orem to play for the Salt Lake ^Stingers. Lynch, a 6*2", 200 lbs. submariner out of Florida St, was selected in the 26th round of the recent 2005 Major League Draft, where he posted a record of 12-0 with an ERA of 2.03; not to mention breaking the all-time Seminole record for ^appearances by a pitcher with 128. ~ Before receiving the-call, Lynch had one save in five games for the Owlz, only surrendering one earned run. The Stingers, the Triple-A'(AAA) affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, brought Lynch up to take the place of reliever Kevin Gregg, who moved up with the Angels while current reliever Brendan Donnelly served an 8-game suspension. "When I came off the mound in Casper (Wyoming), playing against the Rockies, coach (Tom) Kotchman told me that I was going to go up and play for Salt Lake for a couple weeks." said Lynch, "I was grateful for the chance I had to play at that level." Life in Rookie ball is not easy. From getting paid a fraction of the salary of TripleA players, to having to lay in the aisle or in over-head compartments just to stretch your legs out, or having to take "wonderfully enjoyable eight hour bus rides," as Coach Kotchman jokingly likes to put it. "There definitely is a difference between the two levels of minor league baseball. The food is better, the facilities are nicer, we fly on planes instead of buses, everything is just nicer up there," Lynch mentioned. While the Stingers currently average between six and seven thousand fans for their home games at Franklin Covey Field, the Owlz are drawing just over a couple thousand here. Pitching for nearly three times the people was amazing for Lynch. "I enjoyed playing in front of so many fans. It would be nice if we could have that many fans here in Orem," said Lynch again. In the two games he saw action with Salt Lake, Lynch allotted no runs, only allowing 6 hits, while striking out three batters. "Playing for a Triple-A ball club definitely gives you more of an incentive to work harder. Being around competition like that makes you learn how to be a better pitcher." Though this go-around in Salt Lake didn't seem to last long, Lynch's return to the bump for Orem was a triumphant one in a 14-1 win over the Missoula Osprey. Lynch hurled two innings of hit-less baseball, mowing down four Missoula batters. After another recent short stint, this time with the (Double-A) Arkansas Travelers, Lynch is back in Orem again. He struck Courtesy Photo/Orem Owlz out one and recorded a save in a 3-1 victory over the visiting Great Falls White Sidearm hurler Kevin Lynch has been all over The Angels farm system lately, but spends most of his time Sox on Friday, August 12th. closing out games in Orem. UTAH VALLEY STATE COLLEGE Weekend College - Off Campus Sites Real Classes • Real Degrees Real SUCCESS, v II 111 August 25,200 n.to3 p.mi 1 2 5 + c r e W c l a s s e s offered Weekend College... UVSC North. vJffiSC So '-4 UVSC E a s t . . . UVSC We" all of Flags i tns^c-t'rr-erf"- UtaiiteseySs UtahValiey Stat© College ® 863-8449 - BA i 13 - ^ COLLEGE TIMES now online, J www.uvsc.edu/contecj/credlt.htmi Woodbury Business Building WB l O l d WW i f HW&mm^^^£fwMm^S WWwffl'S^a Bring this Ad to W8 l O i d and receive your FREE gift #••§• cxcellanccfaccuracylintcgrity SUMMERWOOD CONDOS OREM'S PREMIER SINGLE S T U D E N T H O U S I N G • • • • • • • • 4 Private Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths Per Unit Washer and Dryer in EVERY Unit Hot Tub Fitness Center and Sport Court Free Cable Internet Access Great Social Environment Just Across the Street from UVSC 720 South 1200 West Orem Call Now to Reserve Your Spot! (801) 644-2552 www.suminerwoodcondos.com Sports Desk (801) 863-8603 Visit us online at www.netxnews.net Send story ideas to smiggs86@hotmail.com |