GWU Product Blake Lalli Promoted To Double-A By Chicago Cubs Organization
July 10, 2008 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Gardner-Webb product Blake Lalli's
sizzling bat and tough-nosed approach impressed the Chicago Cubs'
brass enough to earn a promotion to Double-A Tennessee of the
Southern League on Tuesday night.
Lalli, who recently moved back behind the plate for the Daytona
Cubs of the Advanced Class-A Florida State League, had emerged as
both an emotional and statistical leader for the club –
batting a robust .333 with 26 doubles, 25 runs, seven home runs and
42 RBI in 65 games this season, splitting time between first base
and catcher.
On July 1, Lalli proved his toughness, catching all 20 innings of a
marathon game at Lakeland – a six-hour duel – which is
believed to be one of only 12 games in the Florida State League's
history to last at least 20 innings.
Lalli led Daytona in batting average (.333), doubles (26) and RBI
(42), and ranked second on the team in home runs before his
promotion following the team's 8-5 win over Dunedin on Tuesday
night. Lalli left the squad in appropriate fashion, going 3-for-3
at the plate with a pair of RBI in the victory.
The Gibsonia, Pa., native played at Gardner-Webb from 2002-2006,
setting career records for hits (290), at bats (853) and doubles
(70). He batted .340 for his career in Boiling Springs, belting 27
home runs and driving in 154 runs.
Lalli was a two-time, first-team All-Atlantic Sun Conference
selection, earning that spot as a third baseman in 2005 and as a
catcher in 2006. Lalli led the nation at the NCAA Division I level
with a school-record 30 doubles as a junior in 2005.
Lalli signed a free agent deal with the Cubs prior to the 2006 MLB
Draft, taking advantage of a loophole for fifth-year seniors.
MINOR LEAGUE NOTES
Former GWU hurler Zach Ward has been moved into the starting
rotation at Double-A New Britain of the Eastern League, and has
continued to pitch well – despite a tough win-loss ledger.
Ward is 2-5 on the season with a 3.45 ERA in 30 appearances (four
starts) for the Rock Cats – which are part of the Minnesota
Twins organization. Ward has fanned 56 batters in 62.2 innings of
work.
The Kannapolis, N.C., native fanned five and allowed just two runs
in 5.0 innings in his most recent start against Connecticut (July
7).
Recent draft pick Adam Bullard has made three relief appearances
for the Rookie-A Danville Braves in the Appalachian League, and is
1-1 with a 4.50 ERA and four strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
Bullard, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound righty, was picked in the 43rd round
of the June, 2008 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves, and signed last
month.
The Mauldin, S.C., native pitched his junior season at
Gardner-Webb, helping the Diamond ‘Dogs advance to the A-Sun
Championship Game.
