ABL pitchers spin mid-week gems, Bucs batters shine

2009 Goldpanners alum Jesse Meaux gave UCSB Guachos fans something to cheer about on Wednesday, putting up a stellar seven-inning performance against Loyola Marymount. Meaux (pictured left) threw only 80 pitches on the day, which was all it took to hold the LM crew to four hits, one walk, and no runs. In the ABL last summer, Meaux showed a knack for getting himself out jams -- a skill he did not need this week -- as he posted a 3.32/2.70 (overall/Alaska League) ERA as a starter/reliever despite getting hit to the tune of .295. The UC-Santa Barbara rightie is now 2-0 with a paltry 1.71 ERA on the NCAA season.

In Pac-10 conference play, Alex Keudell (Pilots, 2009/2010 recruit) of the Oregon Ducks threw seven innings of two-run ball to pick up the win over Washington. Both runs were earned but Keudell managed to sit down six Huskies on strikeouts and walked only three on his way to the W. Keudell was instrumental in the Pilots' run up to the NBC World Series championship game, and his post-season performance for the team last year has earned him a return engagement with Anchorage's senior club in 2010.

Elsewhere in college baseball, some future and former Anchorage Bucs put up quite a mid-week extravangaza:



- C Dominic Piazza (2010 Recruit), who has been added to the shortlist for this year's Johnny Bench Award, posted a pair of RBI's as a pinch hitter for Cal State Northridge in their Monday exhibition.

- Coley Crank, the Bucs' other 2010 catching recruit, touched home plate twice and notched a double in Michigan's Wednesday outing.

- P Chris Matulis (2009) -- who put up another amazing performance just last week -- surrendered just one run in his erratic-but-effective performance as LSU took down Pepperdine yesterday.

- Winthrop outfielder and 2010 recruit Sean Sullivan notched a pair of RBIs in his team's trouncing of the Wagner Seahawks.

With a recruiting class of that caliber, the Anchorage Bucs look to be a serious offensive threat in 2010. The Panners have some serious threats in their lineup as well, and we have yet to see the complete recruiting lists of any of the other teams, so it's definitely too early to tell who will be the offensive powerhouse next season. That being said, if this week is any indication of things to come, the Bucs will be no slouches at the plate next year.

Photo courtesy of Goldpanners.com