GREENSBORO, NC -- UNCG alumn Chris Mason had his personal five-game winning streak snapped for Vasalia, but Jermaine Mitchell made a successful debut in Vancouver last night in professional minor league baseball action.
Mitchell, a fifth round selection of the Oakland A's earlier this month, went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base as his new club, the Vancouver Candians, made a successful 3-2 debut last night over Yakima in the Northwest League opener for both teams. Mitchell batted fifth in the line-up and played center field. Former Spartan teammate and current Canadians mate Patrick Currin, a 22nd round selection by Oakland earlier this month, is expected to make his professional pitching debut later this week.
Mason, who had won his last five starts, dropped a 5-3 decision last night against the top team in the California League, the San Jose Giants. The Cherryville, NC product allowed five runs and seven hits over 6-2/3 innings of work. He is now 7-3 on the season with a 3.43 ERA. His seven wins are tied for second in the league, as are his 84 innings pitched.
Mason was selected 56th overall in the second round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 7 of last year, the highest selection every by a Spartan. He was named the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year by the SoCon Sports Media Association and was also a first team selection by the league’s head coaches in 2005.