The Amarillo Sod Dogs and Sod Squad are both in the mix atop the Texas Collegiate League North Division standings. [Photos by Tom Carver- Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
Both Amarillo teams had up and down performances during the second week of Texas Collegiate League play.
The Sod Squad and the Sod Dogs went 3-3 last week, each winning a series and losing a series.
The Sod Dogs closed a nine-game homestand by taking 2-of-3 from Texarkana before dropping 2-of-3 to Frisco.
The Sod Squad lost two games on the road at Tulsa, however managed to take 2-of-3 against Texarkana at home over the weekend.
Two weeks into the 30-game season the Sod Dogs are 7-5 overall, tied with the Tulsa Drillers (7-5) for first place in the TCL North Division standings. The Sod Squad is 5-4 overall, a half a game back of both clubs.
Sod Dogs slugger and TCU freshman Kurtis Byrne, right, celebrates after hitting a home run at Hodgetown last week. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
Sod Dogs catcher/ designated hitter Kurtis Byrne is torching TCL pitching after a huge week at the dish. The TCU freshman went 11-for-23 at the plate this past week, driving in eight runs, while hitting two homers over the left field fence at Hodgetown.
Byrne’s red-hot bat has the powerful righty leading the entire league with a .485 batting average with three home runs and a total of 12 RBIs in 12 games.
Lubbock Christian sophomore and Sod Dogs outfielder Eduardo Acosta is consistent as it gets. The smooth swinging right-hander has hit safely in all 12 games so far, boasting a .404 average with a league-best 18 RBIs.
Sod Squad and West Texas A&M senior Mitchell Miller delivers a pitch Sunday afternoon at Hodgetown. [Tom Carver/ Press Pass Sports]
Hitting has dominated this league as fans have seen plenty of arms come in and out of the bullpen for both the Sod Dogs and Sod Squad. But in three appearances West Texas A&M senior Mitchell Miller has quietly been putting together a great start to his summer season. Miller has plenty of weapons in his arsenal. The 6-foot-6 lefty has great velocity, and can fool hitters with by keeping them balance with his off-speed stuff.
In 8.1 inning this season, Miller has racked up 11 strikeouts, walked only one hitter and has allowed one earned run for a microscopic ERA of 1.08.
Amarillo High graduate and Texas Tech sophomore Max Marusak broke out of a slump during the Sod Squad series against Texarkana. Marusak went 6-for-8 in the first two games of the series racking up three RBIs and a double.
Up next
The Sod Squad continue their homestand and series with Texarkana beginning at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Sod Dog will be on the road at Tulsa with the start of a three-game series beginning at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday.