{"id":1587,"date":"2009-09-02T11:47:49","date_gmt":"2009-09-02T18:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2009\/09\/02\/urckfitz-takes-another-step\/"},"modified":"2009-09-02T11:47:49","modified_gmt":"2009-09-02T18:47:49","slug":"urckfitz-takes-another-step","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2009\/09\/02\/urckfitz-takes-another-step\/","title":{"rendered":"Urckfitz Takes Another Step"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Pat Urckfitz took the mound on August 21st<\/sup>, the outing was not unlike many of his previous performances. The left-hander came on in relief and tossed an inning and a third of shutout ball. The difference this time was that the native of Penfield, New York did his work for the Lancaster Jet Hawks of the Class A Advanced California League.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Urckfitz took the hill in a set up role as the Jet Hawks downed the Visalia Rawhide, 9-2.<\/p>\n

After a successful stint with the Lexington Legends, the Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros, Urckfitz learned of his promotion while on the road with Legends.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was a little surprised,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Urckfitz. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153My stuff is back in Lexington. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have to take a plane back when our season is over to get my things.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The southpaw led the Legends\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 pitching staff in appearances (42) and saves (13).\u00c2\u00a0 In 49 innings of work Urckfitz compiled a 4-1 record with a 2.57 ERA while striking out 42 and walking 13. Urckfitz earned Legends\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Pitcher-of-the-Month honors for May going 1-0 with four saves with 0.71 ERA for the month.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I started the season struggling a little,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d noted Urckfitz. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It helped my confidence to be able to contribute to the team.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

In Lexington, the left-hander settled into the closer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s role, but he will have to wait and see what his responsibility is with Lancaster.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153My role right now is not clear,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d mentioned Urckfitz. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I came on one night to throw to a lefty, but on other nights I am in a set up role.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Urckfitz noticed a difference in leagues right away.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you make a mistake here, they make you pay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d stated Urckftiz. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153In Lexington, I could get away with hanging one over the plate. I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do that here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The 21-year old already has his plans for the Fall.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153When the California League ends on the seventh, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have about ten days off before I head back to Florida again for the instructional league.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think much of you, they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t invite you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Webster Yankee Coach Dave Brust of the invite to fall league. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an investment.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

Urckfitz led Monroe Community College to a third place finish in 2008 NJCAA tournament tossing 11.3 innings of relief surrendering just one run while striking out 15.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

Before signing as a free agent with the Astros, Urckfitz fanned 25 in 14.2 innings of work with the Webster Yankees of the New York Collegiate Baseball League.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Opposing batters hit a paltry .207 against the lefty.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

From there Urckfitz made 15 appearances for the Greeneville Astros of the Rookie Appalachian League fanning 23 in 19 innings of work while notching an ERA of 1.40.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0The southpaw finished 1-0 with three saves for the campaign.<\/p>\n

Pickin’ Splinters\u00c2\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When Pat Urckfitz took the mound on August 21st, the outing was not unlike many of his previous performances. The left-hander came on in relief and tossed an inning and a third of shutout ball. The difference this time was that the native of Penfield, New York did his work for the Lancaster Jet Hawks […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":78,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t