THE FLYING TIGERS (2-2) ... Lakeland enters the series with a 2-2 record following a season opening, four-game series against the Tampa Yankees. The Flying Tigers took games one and four, while the Yankees took the two middle games. This three-game series will be played in Dunedin. Lakeland returns home on Thursday to open a six-game homestand, first for three games against Daytona and then a three-game rematch with Dunedin. Lakeland is hitting .233 as a team. The pitching staff has a 3.68 ERA.
DUNEDIN BLUE JAYS (0-4) ... The Blue Jays were swept in four games by Clearwater and enter this series looking for their first win of the 2011 season. Dunedin was outscored 22-8 in the series, most coming in a 10- loss in the season-opener in Clearwater. The Blue Jays are hitting just .208 on the young season and have scored the second fewest runs through four games. On the mound, Dunedin has a 5.29 ERA, the third highest earned run average in the Florida State League.
LAKELAND PROBABLE PITCHERS ... Victor Larez takes the mound for Monday’s game and the Trevor Feeney on Tuesday and Drew Smyly on Wednesday. Larez started against Southeaster University on April 6 and was credited with the win. Feeney (1-0) worked 5.0 innings in picking up the win in the Flying Tigers season opener on April 7. He allowed just four hits limiting the Yankees to just one earned run. Smyly took the loss on April 8 despite striking out six and walking none in 5.2 innings while scattering six hits.
LAST SEASON ... The Blue Jays won the season-series in 2010 taking seven of the 18 games played. Daniel Fields hit .319 in the series and hit three of his eight homers last season against Dunedin.
SEASON OPENERS ... The 2011 season marked the ninth year in a row the Flying Tigers have opened the season with the Tampa Yankees. With Lakeland’s win on Thursday, the Flying Tigers hold a 5-4 edge in those nine games. The Flying Tigers are now 6-1 in home openers and have won four straight.
EARLY LEADERS ... Through the first four games, Julio Rodriguez leads the team with a .400 average and is one of three players with four hits as Jordan Lennerton and Daniel Fields each have collected four base raps. Tony Plagman leads the squad with six base hits including a homer and is tied with Brent Wyatt for the team lead with five runs batted in. Wyatt and Gustavo Nunez have also hit home runs for Lakeland.
THE ARMS ... Trevor Feeney worked 5.2 innings in the season opener to record his first win of 2011 while Shawn Teufel has Lakeland’s other win, tossing four shutout innings on Sunday at Tampa. Kenny Faulk and Ryan Robowski have each picked up one save so far while Drew Smyly and Cole Nelson each recorded six strikeouts in their respective starts.
THE OLD COLLEGE TRY ... Lakeland’s Kenny Faulk and Dunedin’s Chad Jenkins were college teammates at Kennesaw State College in 2009 and both were named to the All-Atlantic Conference team that season. In addition, the Flying Tigers’ Tony Plagman and the Blue Jays’ Deck McGuire (the 11th overall pick in 2010) were teammates at Georgia Tech in 2010.
THE REVOLVING DOOR HAS BEGUN ... In just the second day of the 2011 season, the first Flying Tiger regular season transaction has happened as Matt Little was sent up the organizational ladder to Erie to fill a gap that came about with any injury to Detroit’s Ryan Perry. To take the roster spot, Jordan Pratt was added from extended Spring Training.
ANOTHER SPIN ... Shawn Roof was promoted to Erie on Tuesday and Ryan Soares was added from Extended Spring Training. Soares was a 36th round pick by Detroit in the 2010 draft out of George Mason University. He was named the Conference Player of the Year after hitting .438 with 29 doubles, 13 home runs and 71 RBI in 48 games.
YOU’LL NEVER BE DUN’ EATIN’ ... Every Monday home game is Belly Buster BBQ Night in Dunedin. Purchase a wrist band for all-you-can-eat BBQ all night long. Bring a Kraft Single wrapper to Tuesday’s game for buy one ticket, get one ticket free - plus $1 popcorn. On Wednesday, it’s dollar hot dog night.
LAKELAND PROMOTIONS ... The Flying Tigers will hold the second annual Chili Cook-Off on Thursday to raise money and awareness for the American Red Cross along the Lakeland Fire Department. Thursday, April 14, is also Thirsty Thursday with $1 beer and sodas. Friday, April 15, is a trio of goodies for fans with the first Friday Premium Giveaway, the first T-Shirt giveaways and Agricultural Night. Lakeland holds it second annual Pink-in-the-Park night on Saturday, April 16, for cancer awareness. The team will wear pink jerseys which fans can have a chance to win in a $75 per ticket raffle. Silent auction items will also be available. Last year’s event raised over $12,000. Saturday is also the second fireworks show of the season.
SPEAKING OF PROMOTIONS ... Some promotional highlights for April include the famous Philly Phanatic on April 22, Easter Egg Hunt on April 23, Myron Noodleman “The Hippest Nerd in Da Biz” brings his zaniness to Joker Marchant Stadium on April 29.
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