Port Charlotte Sun from Port Charlotte, Florida • A12

Our Town Page 12 www.yoursun.com The Sun Friday, August 4, 2017 NEWS Contact us Jordan Kroeger Staff writer or 941-206-1185 Bryan Levine Staff writer or 941-206-1122 Rick Nolte Sports editor or 941-206-1175 EMAIL: FAX: 941-629-2085 SunCoast Sports Now When news breaks, we blog it at www.suncoast sportsnow.com Like us and share our photos on Facebook: facebook.com/ SunCoastSports Follow us on Twitter for live updates and breaking news: How to Submit a story idea: Email or call Rick Nolte at 941-206-1175. Must contain name, address and number. Report a high school result: Call 877-818-6204 or 941-206-1175. To report an error: Call the sports department at 941-206-1175 or email CHARLOTTE STONE CRABS All-Stars Lowe, Sullivan promoted PORT CHARLOTTE Chances for the Charlotte Stone Crabs to make a playoff push took a huge hit Wednesday with a pair of departures. All-stars Brandon Lowe and Brett Sullivan earned their much- deserved promotions to Double-A Montgomery earlier this week.

It comes as no surprise, when you consider both Lowe and Sullivan had all-time seasons for anyone to wear a Stone Crabs uniform. name will appear all over the updated single-season record book next year, finishing his Stone Crabs career in the top-10 of six offensive categories. With the early call up, the second baseman finished first in just two categories (it would have been three or four more), with his .524 slugging percentage and .927 OPS topping catcher Stephen 2010 campaign. Lowe also was No. 2 in doubles (34), No.

4 in batting (.311) and on-base percentage (.403) and No. 7 in runs (62) and walks (47). As of his promotion on Wednesday, his batting average, doubles, runs, slugging percentage and extra-base hits (46) were all good enough to lead the Florida State League. For Sullivan, a left-handed hitting catcher, his league-leading 67 runs batted in were good enough for No. 4 all-time for the Stone Crabs in a single season.

He also was No. 6 in slugging (.462) and No. 8 in batting They were both in the lineup on Wednesday with the Montgomery Biscuits. Sullivan went 2-for-3 while Lowe was 1-for-3. They join fellow Stone Crabs all-star Jacob Cronenworth, who was promoted last month, in Montgomery.

Two familiar faces have replaced Lowe and Sullivan. Catcher Jonah Heim has been promoted from Low-A Bowling Green, and infielder Riley Unroe as been demoted from Montgomery. Heim played in 77 games with the Bowling Green Hot Rods this season, batting .268 with nine homers, 17 doubles and 53 RBI. He made 14 appearances with the Stone Crabs in 2016, where he his 22 with one homer and a double. Unroe put up similar numbers this season with the Biscuits as he did with Charlotte last year.

In 2017, played in 75 games, batting .224 with 15 extra-base hits, 30 RBI, 33 runs and 41 walks. Last year, he hit .220 in 105 games with 19 extra-base hits, 31 RBI and 18 stolen bases. The Stone Crabs entered Thursday in fourth place of the South Division, but just three games behind first-place Jupiter. also one game behind Bradenton and 1.5 game behind Fort Myers. Contact Levine at By BRYAN LEVINE SUN PHOTOS BY TOM Catcher Brett Sullivan, here receiving congratulations for a grand slam home run earlier this season, was leading the Florida State League in runs batted in when he was promoted.

Second baseman Brandon Lowe leaves the Stone Crabs for Montgomery ranked in the top-10 in club history in six offensive categories. Pitcher Ryan Miller is returning to Clemson University for his senior season. The Atlanta Braves selected the Venice High School graduate in the 31st round of the Major League Baseball draft in June. Because inflammation in his throwing arm prevented the right- hander from completing the spring season, the Braves wanted to see Miller throw a bullpen session to verify his health. Miller said he threw a 35-pitch session in early July in front of Atlanta officials, including Billy Best, who had scouted Miller.

went really Miller said. threw the ball better than I was When he finished the session, the Braves representatives told him they were going to make some calls to higher-level personnel and would let him know their decision. About 35 minutes later, though, Miller received a call telling him that the scouting director decided the team have room for another pitcher. was a little said Miller, who has remained on campus this summer. want to go play pro After receiving the news, Miller immediately contacted his coach to inform him that he would return.

His disappointment was temporary since he could play another year for the Tigers. He also called the athletic trainer to find out how he should proceed with his summer training. The trainer said to keep throwing for two more weeks, then stop throwing during the last two weeks of July. Miller throwing off a mound after the bullpen for the Braves, anyway. He said he threw 90 to 120 feet six days a week, basically long toss to keep his arm loose.

He has been conditioning with teammates. MORE BASEBALL Lemon Bay High product Brendan Cutting batted .353 in 24 games for the Staunton Braves of the Valley League. The Nova Southeastern University catcher had two home runs and 15 runs batted in. He had a home run, two doubles and three RBIs during a recent win over Waynesboro. The next game he had a season-high four hits, including a solo home run and double with five knocked in, in five at-bats.

Pitcher Corey Brightman was 2-0 with a 3.85 earned run average in five games for Palm Beach Xtreme in the South Florida League. The Port Charlotte High graduate has been playing for Daytona State College. Send updates about area athletes to Boxleitner at Miller returns to Clemson for senior season COLLEGE BASEBALL By BARBARA BOXLEITNER MILLER RUNNING Pirate Treasure Trot: Port Charlotte High 5K and 1-mile fun run will be at the high school. The 5K starts at with the fun run at 8:30 on the track. Cost of the 5K is $12 for youths to age 17 and $18 for others before and $18 and $23 after.

Cost of the fun run is $7. Register online at www.runsignup.com. For information, call 941-380-4519 or email raymond. Trick or Trot: The 5K trail run race will be at Ann Dever Park in Englewood. Proceeds benefit the Zoomers scholarship program.

Register at zoomersrun.com. Zoomers: The Southwest Florida club emphasizes running events and triathlons. Visit zoomersrun.com for information. SPORTS EVENTS Bethany L. Walden Au.

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