STOCKTON, CA – Former UNC Greensboro pitcher Patrick Currin received an early season call-up this week, heading cross country from the Kane County Cougars to the Stockton Ports of the California League.
Currin, who wrapped up his career at UNCG last spring, is a member of the Oakland A’s organization. He had pitched in eight games out of the bullpen for Kane County of the Class A Midwest League this season. With no decisions in the eight appearances, Currin had one save and a 3.14 ERA. He struck out 17 and walked six in 14-1/3 innings of work, while holding the opposition to a .212 batting average before the call-up late Sunday.
The 1,676 miles of travel may have had an effect on Currin’s debut Monday night, however. Joining the Ports on a road trip in Lake Elsinore, CA, Currin was touched for four runs in 1/3-inning of relief work, surrendering a grand slam. The team lost in Currin’s debut, 5-0.
Currin, a native of Chapel Hill, NC, was 10-3 with eight saves last year with UNCG, logging an ERA of 2.93. He was a second-team All-SoCon selection and also earned second-team Academic All-American honors. His 38 appearances last season tied for the third most in school history. Opponents hit just .227 against him during the course of the season. His eight saves in 2006 were also the third-most in school history, including a historic save when UNCG knocked off top-ranked and eventual national runner-up North Carolina on April 18.
For his career, Currin’s 14 saves tied for second in school history and his 197 strikeouts ranked ninth on the UNCG all-time list. He logged 234-2/3 innings, which also ranked seventh all-time at UNCG. His 95 career relief appearances were second most in school history.
He was the 14th player in school history to be selected in the Major League Baseball draft when he was picked up in the 22nd round of the 2006 draft by Oakland. Last year at short-season Class A Vancouver, he was 2-5 out of the bullpen with a 3.66 ERA, striking out 38 and walking eight in 32 innings of work.
- UNCG -