Owens named Pitcher-of-the-Week

In his first week in the Carolina League, Lynchburg's Rudy Owens was named the league's Pitcher-of-the-Week for the week of August 3 through 9. Owens made two starts and posted a 1-0 record for the Hillcats. He allowed six hits, no runs, a walk and recorded 10 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings pitched.

Owens was promoted from Low-A West Virginia, where he went 10-1 with a 1.70 ERA in 19 starts and was named a mid-season All-Star in the South Atlantic League, on August 3 and made his first start with Lynchburg that night. He tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits, a walk and four strikeouts at Kinston. Owens did not factor in the decision in Lynchburg's 2-0 win over the Indians. In his second start with the Hillcats, Owens surrendered three hits and struck out six in five scoreless innings at Myrtle Beach on August 8. He earned his first victory as a Hillcat in Lynchburg's 3-2 win.

Owens is the first Hillcat to be named the league's Pitcher-of-the-Week in the 2009 season. Prior to his promotion to Lynchburg, Owens was named South Atlantic League Pitcher-of-the-Week for the week of June 15 through 22 and earned the honor again the week of June 29 through July 5. The Cats have yet to have a player earn Carolina League Player-of-the-Week honors this season. Former Hillcat Miles Durham was named the league's Player-of-the-Month in May.