Caleb Knight – Picture by Todd Johnson

There is no rest for the wicked! A night after clinching a playoff spot, the Pelicans went right back to work and they won their first game of the second half 10-4 over Kannapolis. South Bend also began the second half in style with a 13-4 drubbing of Peoria, the Cardinals’ High-A affiliate. Iowa also won 9-2 as they won their 7th game in their last 10. Unfortunately, the system sweep fell short as Tennessee lost 4-2 to Chattanooga. 

Video of the Day

I saw this the other day, but you need to check out this clip that Myrtle Beach Sport Announcer Candace Martino did on Pelicans’ pitching coach Clayton Mortensen. Mortensen and his wife started a charity that helps parents who have children with cancer. They began helping other families after their own son passed from the disease. It is a beautifully done piece.

Let’s get to some awards for today….

Dinger of the Day

Let’s go with Kevin Made’s crank down the right field line which helped Myrtle Beach begin to shed Kannapolis who had crawled back in the game. 

Web Gem of the Day

I give you the arm of Alexander Canario. Wow!

Hitter of the Day

For the time this year, it is my great pleasure to award the hitter of the day to one of the nicest guys around in Caleb Knight of South Bend. Caleb went 4-for-5 tonight with 3 RBI in helping lead South Bend to a big 2nd half opening night victory over Peoria. He also scored three times on the night.

Stat of the Day

Owen Caissie went 2-for-5 today. But before tonight, Owen has been on a quite a run the past 40 games as detailed in this tweet from our friend Brad over on Twitter. It is quite the stretch of good hitting from a 19-year-old in High-A!

Starting Pitcher of the Day

I never dreamed that I would ever type what I am about to do. Today’s starting pitcher of the day is Wyatt Short of Iowa. He threw four innings of 1-run ball. Short scattered 4 hits and struck out three as Short filled in for Marty Pevey in what looks to be a one-time thing. Short’s performance continues his excellent June where he has put up a 1.98 ERA.

Reliever of the Day

Welcome to High-A Yovanny Cruz! Cruz announced his presence with authority throwing 99 and 100 mph. He pitched just one inning and flashed a nice curve. It was as he never left as the young kid that we saw in Eugene at the end of 2018 and 2019.

I will be back in the morning with guys rising in the rankings on the major draft boards!