July 21, 2008

Klein's Perfect Game Highlights Summer Baseball Season for Penguins

    Youngstown -- Youngstown State sophomore pitcher Phil Klein threw a perfect game in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League as one of many highlights for Penguins playing summer baseball.
    Klein's seven-inning masterpiece came on July 13 for the Hampton Whalers against Metro N.Y. The righty from Columbus, Ohio, threw the first perfect game in franchise history and the first since at least 1977 in the ACBL.
    Klein needed 71 pitches to retire the 21 hitters, six of which he struck out. He is currently 4-2 with a 0.95 ERA in six starts, throwing two shutouts and surrendering just four earned runs in 38 innings. He has also struck out 38 batters while walking just 10.
    Klein and David Leon, who also plays for the Whalers, were both named to the Kaiser Division All-Star Team in the ACBL.
    In the Great Lakes League, Aaron Swenson was named an all-star after posting a 2-2 record to go along with a 2.48 ERA for the Licking County Settlers. The 2008 Horizon League Pitcher of the Year, Swenson has allowed nine earned runs in 32.2 innings and struck out 17 batters while walking five. Ryan Wackerman has two saves and a 3.60 ERA in seven appearances for the Settlers, who are coached by former Penguins assistant Kyle Sobecki.
    Also in the GLL, Second-Team All-Horizon League utility player Eric Marzec has continued to be solid both at the plate and on the mound. The junior is batting .273 with a homer, 10 runs scored and 10 RBIs in 44 at bats for the Stark County Terriers. He has also picked up a team-high three saves in four appearances. He has struck out eight batters in eight innings, and opponents are hitting .200 against him.
    In the Tri-State Collegiate League, John Koehnlein was batting .407 as of July 15 for the league-leading Washington Collegiate BlueSox. Cory Hornyak is batting .350 with a team-leading 23 RBIs for the Ohio Monarchs.
    In the Valley League, Craig Gillet is 2-1 in 14 relief appearances for the Staunton Braves, who have clinched a playoff spot. Incoming recruit Jacke Healy finished as the runner-up in the Home Run Derby after being named a Southern Division All-Star as a player for the Waynesboro Generals.