Four Tigers recognized by AAC
Awesome was just one word Wyatt Short used to describe it. The former Southaven High and Ole Miss standout participated in the 2019 Southern League All-star Game at Biloxi on June 18.
“It was a great opportunity,” said Short, a 24-year-old left-hander. “Even though I was a late add, it was still a great honor to represent my team, the Tennessee Smokies, as well as the Chicago Cubs. I enjoyed it a lot.”
From his customary reliever spot, he recorded the final out in the bottom of the seventh inning, coaxing Pensacola’s Caleb Hamilton to fly out to left. Short and his North Division teammates would go on to win a 7-3 contest at MGM Park.
Before and after the game, the opportunity was there for him to experience the red-carpet treatment rolled out by the hometown Biloxi Shuckers.
“They put us at the Hard Rock Hotel (and Casino), which was pretty cool,” Short said. “I love Biloxi as well — great atmosphere, great place to play, tremendous field. The whole thing was a blast. I’d love to do it again.”
Short was a 2017 postseason Midwest League All-star with the South Bend Cubs. He split the 2018 season in Myrtle Beach (Carolina League) and Tennessee. Entering Friday’s action, Short had a 3-1 record with a 1.93 ERA. He’s appeared in 27 games with six saves and 38 strikeouts in 371⁄3 innings.
“The biggest thing that’s worked for me this year is my fastball,” said Short, a 13thround draft pick by Chicago in 2016. “I’m starting to learn where to put it and where it’s most effective. I guess the biggest thing with that is being able to tunnel my pitches — my slider, my changeup — along with that fastball.
“That’s the best way for me to compete, and that’s the best way for me to be successful. I feel like I’m really scratching the surface here, so hopefully as the year goes on, it only gets better and better.”
Spring training in Mesa, Ariz., brought a chance to share facilities with Cubs stars Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo.
“Everybody always sees them around the complex,” Short said. “We ran into them in the weight room and cafeteria. I guess I got a little closer when I backed up a few games this year, and actually got to pitch in one of the games with all of them behind me (vs. Colorado). So, that was pretty cool to be able to do that — get a small taste of what could entail hopefully. It’s definitely part of the process — and part of chasing a dream.”
The American Athletic Conference recently announced 23 individual sport Scholar-athletes of the Year, and four from the University of Memphis were honored. David Zalzman (men’s soccer), Lizzie Woerner (women’s soccer), Olushola Olojo (men’s indoor track and field) and Ashley Pryke (women’s outdoor track and field) will each receive a $2,000 postgraduate scholarship. Selections, according to a release, are made by the faculty athletic representatives on the basis of academic credentials and athletic performance. East Carolina baseball player
Chris Van Tuyl Memphis Commercial Appeal USA TODAY NETWORK – TENNESSEE
Jake Agnos and Houston golfer Leonie Harm were chosen as the AAC’S Male and Female Scholar-athletes of the Year.
COURTESY OF THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
Hat trick earns Collier USL honor
After tallying the first hat trick in his club’s history, Memphis 901 FC forward Elliot Collier was selected as the USL Championship Player of the Week. Collier’s three goals helped Memphis soar past visiting Hartford, 4-1, last Saturday at Autozone Park. The Hamilton, New Zealand, native scored in the sixth, 11th and 75th minutes to put his season total at five. Lagos Kunga also had a goal for Memphis, which won its first USL home match of the season.
Odds & ends
The St. Louis Cardinals have named Memphis Redbirds outfielder Randy Arozarena as its Minor League Player of the Month for June. In 28 games between Double-a Springfield and Memphis, Arozarena had five homers, eight doubles, 20 RBIS and four steals to go along with his .374 batting average. … Quail Ridge in Bartlett recently hosted the Bubba Conlee National Junior Golf Tournament. The 39th annual event welcomed 168 golfers. John Marshall Butler, of Louisville (Ky.), and North Little Rock’s Mackenzie Lee were this year’s respective winners. … Of the 40 Northeast Mississippi Community College athletes earning 2018-19 MACJC academic all-state recognition, four of them hailed from Desoto County. The Hernando High football trio of Desean Bullock, Karleke Oliver and O.D. Wooten were joined by Lewisburg baseball player Landon Wilkerson.
Sunday Sports Brunch is a weekly look at movers, shakers and newsmakers on the Memphis sports scene, from youth level to the pros. If you have an item of interest, please contact Chris Van Tuyl at christopher.vantuyl@commercialappeal.com.