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Three Inland Empire Pitchers Named All-Stars

Smith, Adams and Spomer Named to California/Carolina League All-Star Game
June 4, 2014

San Bernardino, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers will be represented well by their pitching staff at the 2014 California League/Carolina League All-Star Game to be held in Wilmington, DE at Frawley Stadium on June 17th. Right-handed relievers Austin Adams and Kurt Spomer were named to the California League All-Star contingent as was left-handed starter Nate Smith.

Austin Adams has been nearly unhittable in 2014 for the 66ers. The Zephyrhills, FL native is 0-1 with one save this year. In 26.2 innings of work, the righty out of the University of South Florida has given up an anemic 12 hits in the Cal League this season and sports a 2.39 ERA. Adams has not given up a hit to a left-handed batter this year and has struck out a total of 34 men. He has not allowed an earned run in 16 innings at the home confines of San Manuel Stadium.

Fellow reliever Kurt Spomer also gets the All-Star nod. If the Angels could have an organizational All-Star it may very well be the Honey Creek, IA native. The side-arming righty has used his sinker in Inland Empire this year as well as two stints in Triple-A Salt Lake and currently in Double-A Arkansas. Despite his promotion to the Texas League this week, Spomer is expected to be in "The First State" for the All-Star Game. The former walk-on at Creighton University was a non-drafted free agent signee by the Angels in 2012. At Inland Empire he allowed an astonishing one run in 26.2 innings and was 2-1 with a team-best three saves. He held a 0.34 ERA and struck out 18 batters while opponents batted just .174 against him.

Nate Smith, the southpaw from West Chester, OH was 6-3 with Inland Empire in the starting rotation over 10 outings. He had a 3.07 ERA and allowed just 41 hits in 55.2 innings pitched for the Sixers. The Furman (SC) University product struck out 51 while walking just 14. The 6'3" lefty will not participate in the game due to his promotion to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers on May 22nd. The 2013 eighth-round pick of the Angels is currently 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two Texas League starts.

The Inland Empire field staff will be in the dugout for the California League squad by virtue of the 66ers' California League Championship title in 2013. Denny Hocking will manage while Matt Wise will serve as Pitching Coach. As holdovers from last season's staff, Hitting Coach Brenton Del Chiaro and Athletic Trainer Omar Uribe will enjoy the spoils of their championship season in person. A view of the entire team can be found at www.californialeague.com.