Austin Hinkle Named Pitcher of the Week

Columbus, GA - The South Atlantic League has named their players of the week for the week of August 4th through August 10th and Catfish closer Austin Hinkle was named the Pitcher of the Week. Curt Rindal and Steffan Wilson of West Virginia split Hitter of the Week honors.

Hinkle, a 22 year old right hander, did not join Columbus until April 30th but made his presence felt, seizing the closer job. For the season, Hinkle is 3-4 with a 2.95 ERA and is 12 for 16 in save opportunities. Perhaps the most impressive number for Hinkle is the fact he has struck out 59 in 39 and 2/3 innings, a whopping 1.5 hitters per inning. For the week, Hinkle appeared in 4 games and was unhittable. He saved all 4 games and allowed only 2 baserunners (both reached on walks) while striking out 9 hitters in only 4 innings of work. Hinkle is the second straight Catfish to take a player of the week award after Greg Sexton was named Hitter of the Week last week.

The Catfish begin a 4 game set against the Lake County Captains, the Cleveland Indians affiliate who won the Northern Division in the 1st half and who used to be known as the Columbus RedStixx, Monday at 7:00.

The Catfish are the Class-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.