Meet the Skeeters

The Sugar Land Skeeters begin their third season in the Atlantic League next Thursday(April 24).  The club is preparing for the 2014 season with Spring Training at Constellation Field this week.

Following is the Skeeters' Spring Training roster:

My understanding is that the Skeeters opening roster can include 27 players.

Name/2013 Team(s)/Highest Level previously played/Texas connection HS and/or College(if applicable)

Pitchers
Brian Broderick/GCL Nationals,Harrisburg/MLB
Roy Corcoran/Sugar Land/MLB
Ramon Delgado/Springfield, Memphis/AAA
Clint Everts/Sugar Land, New Hampshire, Buffalo/AAA/Cy Falls HS
Steve Hammond/Orix(Japan)/AAA
Clay Hensley/Sugar Land, Nashville, Louisville/MLB/Pearland HS, Alvin CC, Lamar University
Ben Kozlowski/Sugar Land, Somerset/MLB
Gary Majewski/Sugar Land/MLB/St. Pius X HS
Jay Marshall/Sugar Land/MLB
Dan Meadows/Brevard County, Huntsville/AAA/Cinco Ranch HS, Temple College
Michael Nix/Sugar Land, Birmingham, Charlotte/AAA
David Pauley/Sugar Land, Reno/MLB
Chris Smith/Wichita/MLB
Jared Wells/Sugar Land/MLB/Columbia HS, E. Texas Baptist U, San Jacinto JC, Tyler JC
Matt Wright/Sugar Land, Reno/AAA/Robinson HS

Catchers
Koby Clemens/Sugar Land/AAA/Memorial HS
Travis Scott/Sugar Land/AA

Infielders
Chase Lambin/Sugar Land, Omaha/AAA/Cy Falls HS
Alex Nunez/Worcester(2012)/High A
Dominic Ramos/Sugar Land/High A/Texas St.
Rusty Ryal/Salt Lake City, Albuquerque/AAA
Nick Stavinoha/Hiroshima/MLB/Jersey Village HS, San Jacinto JC
Brandon Wood/Norfolk, Omaha/MLB
Delwyn Young/Camden/MLB

Outfielders
Ryan Langerhans/Sugar Land, Buffalo, Toronto/MLB/Round Rock HS
Dustin Martin/Sugar Land, Mobile/AAA/Burnet HS, Sam Houston St. University
Steve Moss/Sugar Land, Mexico/AAA
Michael Rockett/Sugar Land/AAA/UTSA

Non-Roster Invitees
Danny Lehmann, C/New Britain, Rochester/AAA/The Woodland HS, Rice
Tracy McGrady, P/ DNP/NBA
Neil Medchill, OF/Trenton, Scranton-Wilkes Barre/AAA
Wynn Pelzer,P/Bridgeport,Long Island(2012)/AAA
Clay Schrader, P/Bowie/AA/Atascosita HS, San Jacinto JC
Cory Van Allen, P/Harrisburg, Syracuse(2012)/AAA/Clements HS, Baylor

Lane Improves to 2-0 with the Chihuahuas

Jason Lane picked up his second win in as many starts for El Paso with another solid six inning outing against Reno.  Lane who knocked off Reno in Reno on April 5 with six scoreless innings, allowed one run and five hits in six innings against the Aces at Tucson(El Paso's temporary home field) on Friday night.  El Pason won the contest 2-1.

Lane, who spent six years in the major leagues as an outfielder, is attempting a return to baseball's top level as a pitcher.  If the Chihuahuas' rotation holds, Lane would be in line to take the mound again on Wednesday at Albuquerque.

Top 10 Showdown Kicks Off at Cougar Field

Louisville dropped the University of Houston 4-2 Friday at Cougar Field in the first game of a three-game series between the two top 10 ranked programs.  Houston(26-7) is ranked #7 nationally.  Louisville(25-8) is #10.

The AAC showdown continues with a game on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. The concluding contest of the series will take place at noon on Sunday.

If He Keeps this up, Jason Lane May not be a Chihuahua for Long

Jason Lane, 37, pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only five hits in his 2014 debut for the El Paso Chihuahuas.  The former big league outfielder is in the third full season of his attempt to return to the Major Leagues as a pitcher.  However, this is the first of those three in which he has commenced the year in the starting rotation of an affiliated team.

Lane began 2012 in the bullpen for Reno(Arizona's AAA affiliate).  He made 15 appearances for the Aces before being released in June.  He completed the season as a starter for Sugar Land's Skeeters.

He continued as a starter for Sugar Land in 2013 until he signed with the Padres in July.  In 35 games(34 starts) with the Atlantic League Skeeters in 2012-13, Lane posted a 3.08 ERA with 130 strikeouts in 216 1/3 innings pitched.

Lane spent six seasons in the big leagues as an outfielder.  All but three games of that career were spent with Houston.  He had 61 home runs and 189 RBI as an Astro.