Saturday, August 23, 1997

Dogs' Preston named to all-star team

Abilene pitcher George Preston Jr. was the only Prairie Dog named to the 1997 Texas-Louisiana League all-star team, which was announced Friday. The team was selected by the league's six field managers, who could only vote on players on opposing teams.

Preston has a 3-2 record with a 4.43 earned run average and a league-high 10 saves this season. He was named the team's relief pitcher.

Outfielder Bryan Warner of Rio Grande Valley and first baseman/designated hitter Chris Cassels of Tyler shared the Most Valuable Player award. Warner entered the final weekend of the season with a .393 batting average, 25 home runs and a league-leading 93 runs batted in.

Cassels smacked his T-L League record-setting 28th home run Thursday night. He has 83 RBI.

The Most Valuable Player award was shared by Tyler's Ray Davis and Amarillo's Daren Brown. Davis has a league-leading 2.89 earned run average, with a 7-5 record and 74 strikeouts. Brown, who is making his third consecutive appearance on the postseason team, has a 12-6 record with a 4.73 ERA and a league-leading 130 strikeouts.

Rio Grande Valley third baseman Pat Koerner was named the league's Rookie of the Year.

First base - John O'Brien, Alexandria

Second base - Jorge Alvarez, Amarillo

Shortstop - Tim Howard, Amarillo

Third base - Kyle Shade, Alexandria

Catcher - Kevin Tahan, Alexandria

Designated hitter - Chris Cassels, Tyler

Outfielders - Bryan Warner, Rio Grande Valley; Sean Collins, Tyler; Lonnie Maclin, Amarillo

Utility player - Mike Hardge, Lubbock

Starting pitchers - Daren Brown, Amarillo; Ray Davis, Tyler; Ryan Thomas, Amarillo; Ryan Whitaker, Rio Grande Valley

Relief pitcher - George Preston Jr., Abilene