Asheville RedBirds News

Donnie

2011-08-01T18:00:54+00:00

Volt Night

2011-07-11T18:12:42+00:00

Live Remote Broadcast from 6-8
with your chance to be entered to win the Mean Green Mountain Machine
A 1967 Pontiac Firebird

Rain Cancels Fathers Day Game

2011-06-20T12:55:31+00:00

The game against the Johnson City Cardinals has been canceled today because of rain. More details to follow.

Spend Fathers Day with the Johnson City Cardinals

2011-06-20T12:52:59+00:00

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The defending Appalachian League Champion Johnson City Cardinals will start the 2011 season on Father's Day, June 19, with an opportunity for fans to meet the 2011 version of the Cardinals followed by an exhibition game at 6 p.m. Fans are invited to come out and meet the 2011 Johnson City Cardinals players and staff Sunday from 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Cardinal Park. All players and coaches will be available for pictures and autographs. Following the meet and greet session fans are encouraged to stick around as the Cardinals will face off in an exhibition game against the Asheville Redbirds of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League. Admission is free for all fans.

Bobby "Z" Night

2011-06-13T19:34:10+00:00

Saturday's double header against the Morganton Aggies will be Bobby "Z" Fan Appreciation Night. The first 100 fans through the gate will receive a FREE Asheville Redbirds T-Shirt. Game 1 starts at 5pm. See You There.

Derek Trent

2011-06-10T18:33:46+00:00

The Asheville Redbirds are proud to announce that Derek Trent, member of the 2009
Asheville Redbirds was drafted with the 1st pick of the 31st round of the MLB Draft
today. The East Tennessee State University catcher was selected by the Pittsburg
Pirates. During the 2009 summer with the Redbirds, Derek was an All-Star selection
and batted .396 with 5 doubles, 3 homeruns, and 12 rbi. Trent posted an amazing
.729 slugging percentage for the Redbirds. The Redbird coaching staff and family
are extremely proud of Derek and wish him and his family the best of luck in the
future.

Redbirds Win Season Opener

2011-06-07T13:58:27+00:00

The Redbirds started the season opener at home last night against the Pineville Pioneers. Asheville had a nice crowd of 122 fans on hand. The game started with Pineville scoring 1 in the top of the first, but Asheville would answer in the bottom of the first with a leadoff single by Kevin Price. A steal and a passed ball would move Price to third. Phillip Treadway walked to put runners at the corners with one out. As Treadway attempted to steal second, a missed played ball by Pioneers short stop, Seth Illian, would have the ball end up in center field, Price scored easily from third to tie the game at 1 apiece. In the bottom of the second, a double by Eric Renegar and a nice hit off of the center field wall by Kevin Price would help Asheville to score 4 more. Asheville would add 1 more in the seventh inning. Pineville tried to rally with a run in the top of the eighth, but would fall well short as the Redbirds take the home opener 6-2.

Next game is Wednesday at home against the Statesville Owls. Game time 7:00pm

Opening Night Monday

2011-06-04T02:01:03+00:00

Everyone plan on being at Opening Night, Monday. The Redbirds will host the newest team in the league, the Pineville Pioneers. Game time is at 7:00 pm. The first 50 fans through the gate will receive a free bag of Hampton Farms Peanuts.

47 Days til Season Opener

2011-04-20T15:13:31+00:00

The Redbirds season opener is June 6th, only 47 short days from now. Preparations are being made, the roster is online, schedules are in place, bus travel is arranged, bats and ball are on order. We are currently putting together our program for the season, if you or anyone you know would like to be a sponsor and have an ad in the program, please contact me at james@wncfallball.com

We would like to thank all of the local State Farm Agents that have come onboard to help sponsor the Redbirds this season. Special thanks to Steve Renegar.

2010 DVD's Available

2011-03-12T16:33:23+00:00

Stan Jones will make a DVD of the highlights he put on Vimeo and more. DVDs of games will also be available. For information, ask at a home game or visit his site: http://www.videoandcomputer.com/redbirds.htm

2010 Video Highlightrs

2011-03-12T16:22:23+00:00

Stan Jones has been shooting home games for the Redbirds in 2010. He's caught some great footage and highlights. Below are some links that you might enjoy.

VS Blue Eagles - July 2nd, 2010 - game 1

VS Blue Eagles - July 2nd, 2010 - game 2

VS Chaos - June 26, 2010

VS Owls - June 21, 2010

VS The Tornado - June 12, 2010 - game 2

VS Chaos - June 7

DVD's of games are available from Stan Jones - inquire at his website.

2010 Game Scores

2011-03-12T16:17:11+00:00

June

Tuesday 6-1 7:00 pm Asheville 4 @ Johnson City 8

Wednesday 6-2 7:00 pm Johnson City 5 @ Asheville 4

Friday 6-4 5:00 pm Asheville 2 @ Lake Norman 5

Friday 6-4 7:00 pm Asheville 5 @ Lake Norman 1

Saturday 6-5 5:00 pm Statesville 1 @ Asheville 3

Saturday 6-5 7:00 pm Statesville 2 @ Asheville 7

Monday 6-7 7:00 pm Clemson 4 @ Asheville 5

Wednesday 6-9 7:00 pm Asheville 2 @ Clemson 1

Friday 6-11 5:00 pm Asheville 1 @ Johnson City 3

Friday 6-11 7:00 pm Asheville 4 @ Johnson City 5

Saturday 6-12 5:00 pm Johnson City 1 @ Asheville 2

Saturday 6-12 7:00 pm Johnson City 2 @ Asheville 5

Monday 6-14 7:00 pm Fort Mill 6 @ Asheville 4

Wednesday 6-16 7:00 pm Asheville 4 @ Fort Mill 11

Friday 6-18 1:00 pm Asheville 2 @ Spartanburg 7

Friday 6-18 3:00 pm Asheville 5 @ Spartanburg 2

Saturday 6-19 5:00 pm Fort Mill 4 @ Asheville 3

Saturday 6-19 7:00 pm Fort Mill 4 @ Asheville 0

Monday 6-21 7:00 pm Statesville 3 @ Asheville 9

Wednesday 6-23 7:00 pm Asheville 2 @ Statesville 3

Friday 6-25 5:00 pm Asheville 7@ Morganton 4

Friday 6-25 7:00 pm Asheville 4 @ Morganton 6

Saturday 6-26 5:00 pm Clemson 6 @ Asheville 5

Saturday 6-26 7:00 pm Clemson 5 @ Asheville 1

Monday 6-28 7:00 pm Asheville 1 @ Spartanburg 3

Wednesday 6-30 7:00 pm Spartanburg 11 @ Asheville 3

July

Friday 7-2 5:00 pm Spartanburg 9 @ Asheville 4

Friday 7-2 7:00 pm Spartanburg 4 @ Asheville 2

Saturday 7-3 5:00 pm Asheville 4 @ Fort Mill 6

Saturday 7-3 7:00 pm Asheville 6 @ Fort Mill 15

Monday 7-5 7:00 pm Lake Norman 3 @ Asheville 4

Wednesday 7-7 7:00 pm Asheville 4 @ Lake Norman 5

Friday 7-9 5:00 pm Lake Norman 2 @ Asheville 7

Friday 7-9 7:00 pm Lake Norman 0 @ Asheville 6

Saturday 7-10 5:00 pm Asheville 5 @ Statesville 6

Saturday 7-10 7:00 pm Asheville 8 @ Statesville 11

Monday 7-12 7:00 pm Asheville 0 @ Morganton 4

Tuesday 7-13 7:00 pm Morganton 3 @ Asheville 4

Friday 7-16 5:00 pm Morganton 9 @ Asheville 3

Friday 7-16 7:00 pm Morganton 4 @ Asheville 2

Saturday 7-17 5:00 pm Asheville 6 @ Clemson 5

Saturday 7-17 7:00 pm Asheville 9 @ Clemson 8

Playoffs

Monday 7-19 7:00 pm Asheville 8 @ Tennessee 5

Tuesday 7-20 7:00 pm Clemson 3 @ Asheville 6

Thursday 7-22 7:00 pm Asheville 8 @ Lake Norman 7

Friday 7-23 7:00 pm Lake Norman 7 @ Asheville 4

Saturday 7-24 7:00 pm Asheville 4 @ Lake Norman 6

Record 20-27

2010 What a Season

2011-01-08T19:24:45+00:00

2010 What a Season.

What a wonderful season for the Asheville Redbirds. We experienced just about everything you can look for in Baseball. The highs and lows of winning and losing, a lot of extra inning games, a rain delay slip and slide show, a bench clearing "meeting" at the pitcher's mound, a game ending triple play, winning the 2010 Western Division Title, making it to the final game of the SCBL Championship, and most of all, Friendship.

The Redbirds would like to thank each and every player this year for the hard work and commitment to our team. We had the best group of young men anyone could ask for.

A special Thank You to Stan Jones, Dee Sharp, and Paul Jones for opening up their homes to host house players.

Thank you to the Fans and Parents that attended the games at home and on the road and supported the Redbirds.

Thank you Ryan and Jason, your hard work and commitment show. We really appreciate you guys.

Thanks to our Sponsors

Thanks to Donnie Suttles and TCR.

Thanks to all the Redbirds staff that make this whole thing possible.

Bill Stewart, James Bradley, Bob Zimmerman(Bobby "Z"), Gary Wells, Stan Jones, Mitchell and Gigi Teague, Nick and Alice Iannetta, Lisa Bradley, Jessica Duckett, Ryan Jones, Becca Burkett, Kaylee Tate, and Aleshia Peek.

Can't wait till next year!

We are currently gearing up for the 2011 Season.

Be on the lookout for updates to our website and new newsletters.

WNC Fall Baseball Camp

2010-09-24T19:56:29+00:00

Coach's Ryan Smith and Jason Kennell will be doing a Baseball Camp for Wnc Fallball. The Camp will be Saturday, September 25th from 10 am - 3 pm. at Ray Kisiah Park

Ages 5-14

Cost is $55.00

Lunch and a t-shirt is included.

Redbirds lose game 3

2010-07-26T13:29:04+00:00

The Redbirds fell a little short Saturday night in game 3 of the SCBL Championship. The Copperheads outscored the Birds 6-4. Congratulations to Lake Norman on their victory.

Redbirds Drop Game 2 of Series

2010-07-24T18:55:07+00:00

The Redbirds lost Game 2 of the Championship Series to Lake Norman 7-4. The Series is now tied 1-1. The final Game will be tonight at Lake Norman. Game time is 7 pm.

Redbirds win Game1 of the SCBL Championship

2010-07-23T14:39:50+00:00

Asheville won Game 1 of the SCBL Championship last night at Lake Norman, 9-8. Game 2 will be at home tonight. Game time is 7 pm. Come out and cheer on Your Asheville Redbirds!

What a Week in Baseball

2010-07-21T12:46:52+00:00

What a great week in baseball the Redbirds have had. The regular season ended Saturday night at Clemson with the Redbirds turning a triple play to end the game and sweep the Chaos. Monday the Redbirds traveled to Milligan College to take on the Tennessee Tornados in the first round of the divisional playoffs. Asheville beat the defending SCBL champions 5-2, ending the Tornados chance for a three-peat. Tuesday, Asheville was back at home to face the Carolina Chaos for the Western Divisional Championship. Asheville again wins 6-3 to become the 2010 SCBL Western Division Champions.

Asheville's next challenge will be the SCBL Championship. The three game series starts Thursday at Lake Norman. Asheville will be at home for game two Friday. Game time is 7pm.

Redbirds Sweep Copperheads

2010-07-10T13:14:12+00:00

The Lake Norman Copperheads came to Asheville last night for two games against the Redbirds. The Copperheads and Redbirds had already faced each other twice this week, splitting the games, both in extra innings.

Game 1 started with the Copperheads scoring one in the top of the first. Asheville quickly answered getting two in the bottom of the first. The Redbirds broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth, sending ten batters to the plate and scoring five runs off of two nice hits by Chris Allen and Zach Hutton. Lake Norman would put one more on the board in the top of the sixth. Kyle Watson pitched a great game for the Birds. Asheville wins game one 7-2.

Game 2 started with a bang for Asheville scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. The Redbirds would add a run in the third and sixth inning. Great pitching by Brent Queen (5 innings) and Josh Thrailkill (2 innings) combined for a two hit shutout of the Copperheads. Asheville wins 6-0 in the nightcap.

Asheville travels to Statesville tonight for a doubleheader against the Owls. Game time is 5 pm.

Copperheads Strike Back

2010-07-09T14:30:18+00:00

After Asheville beat Lake Norman in a 12 inning game on Monday night, the league leading Copperheads were looking for a little payback Wednesday night. Fans were in for a treat as the game went on for 13 innings. Asheville ended up losing 5-4.

These two meet again tonight for a double header at home starting at 5 pm.

Redbirds down Copperheads in 12

2010-07-06T22:17:37+00:00

The Redbirds played the Copperheads from Lake Norman last night. Asheville had another exciting extra inning game, winning in the bottom of the 12 inning 4-3

Blue Eagles roll over Redbirds

2010-07-01T13:59:21+00:00

The Blue Eagles traveled from Spartanburg to Asheville last night. Asheville started the game scoring in the bottom of the first when Mike Vaughn hit a two run shot over the left field fence. The Blue Eagles did not score until the forth inning, but put runs on the board for five straight innings starting with four in the forth. Asheville added one in the bottom of the sixth. The Blue Eagles win 11-3

Asheville is at home for a double header Friday starting at 5pm.

Redbirds lose to Blue Eagles

2010-06-29T17:30:21+00:00

The Redbirds lost to the Blue Eagles last night in Spartanburg. The final score was 3-1.

Asheville plays at home Wednesday at 7 pm.

Redbirds,Chaos extra innings again

2010-06-28T15:30:49+00:00

Here are the scoring plays and a few defensive standouts from Game 1 of a double header. The Redbirds loaded the bases in the first two innings, but could get only one run across each inning. The Chaos tied it in the top of the 4th with a two run homer, then pulled ahead 2-3. In the bottom of the 5th, with bases loaded, the Redbirds got a run via base on balls, but no more scores. The Chaos moved ahead again in the top of the 6th.

The Redbirds faced the end of the game (a 7 inning double header game) in the bottom of the 7th, but a lead off double (plus extra base) by #3 Tyler Davis and single by #33 Cale Sumner tied the score 4-4. In the top of the 8th, the Chaos scored, again forcing the Redbirds to score in the bottom. #1 Tommy Reed got a lead off hit, and #25 Ben Brewer missed the walk-off by less than a foot, but scoring Reed to again tie the game (5-5).

The teams then faced what they had not seen since the 3rd inning: a scoreless inning. For the next 3 and a half innings, no score, held that way in part due to a throw by #8 Zach Hutton to get a runner out at the plate.

Finally in the bottom of the 12th, #13 Brett Mercurio gets a hit and #22 Casey Allison, on with a walk and advanced to second in a fielders choice, beats the throw to home. Final score, Redbirds 6, Chaos 5.

http://vimeo.com/12901812

Birds split with Aggies

2010-06-26T13:24:48+00:00

The Redbirds traveled down to Morganton last night for a double header against the Aggies. Game 1 started with the Aggies scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning but Nick Jones and the rest of the Asheville pitching would settle in and not allow anymore Aggies runs. Asheville got their bats started in the top of the fifth and with the bases full of Birds, Ben Brewer drove a shot into deep center field for a 3 RBI double. The Redbirds would add two more in the fifth to take the first lead of the game. In the top of the seventh inning Mike Vaughn hit a two run shot over the left center field fence to give Asheville a little insurance.
Asheville wins 7-4
Game 2
Asheville started this game off with a bang with Tommy Reed hitting a 2 RBI double down the third base line. A broken bat single from Dalton Hardee would then score Reed from second, giving the Birds three runs in the inning. The Aggies would score one in the botton of the second with a solo shot over the right field fence by Jake Watts. Morganton would then score two more in the bottom of the forth when Taylor Rozier hit one out over the center field fence. With the game tied at three, Asheville would once again take the lead with a lead off single by Hardee. A sacrifice bunt by Anthony Iannetta moved Hardee over to second. Hardee would then score on a double by Tyler Davis.
Morganton battled back scoring two in the bottom of the fifth and added one more in the bottom of the sixth. Morganton wins 6-4

Asheville plays a double header tonight at home against the Chaos. Game time is 5 pm.

Redbirds lose to Owls

2010-06-25T13:44:20+00:00

Asheville lost a close one Wednesday night to the Owls. 3-2.

The Redbirds travel to Morganton tonight to take on the Aggies. This is the first meeting of the season for these teams. The double header will start at 5 pm.

Video from Rain delay

2010-06-24T16:03:01+00:00

Chech out this video from the rain delayed game on Monday.

www.vimeo.com/12786014

Redbirds win against Owls

2010-06-22T14:25:20+00:00

The Redbirds were home last night to face another fine feathered friend, the Owls of Statesville. Asheville jumped out to an early lead scoring two in the bottom of the first. Asheville added five more in the bottom of the second. The rain came in the bottom of the third. The one hour delay was filled with some of the Statesville players entertaining the crowd with tarp races and power slides. Our own Bobby "Z" entertained the Teamline listeners with interviews with coaches and fans during the delay. After the rain Asheville added two more runs in the botton of the fifth. Statesville would get on the board scoring one in the top of the eighth, and adding two in the top of the ninth.
Asheville wins 9-3.

Asheville travels to Statesville on Wednesday. Game time 7 pm.

Redbirds lose to Stingers

2010-06-17T22:04:04+00:00

The Redbirds traveled to Fort Mill last night to take on the Stingers. Asheville scored two in the top of the first. The Stingers answered with two in the bottom of the first. After a few see saw innings, the Stingers took a commanding lead in the eighth. Stingers win 11-4.

Next games for Asheville is Friday at 1 pm in Spartanburg.

Next home game is a double header Saturday, starting at 5 pm.

Asheville stung by Stingers

2010-06-15T13:24:17+00:00

The Carolina Stingers came to Asheville last night for a game against the Redbirds. The Redbirds took control of the game in the bottom of the forth scoring three runs. Asheville added one in the bottom of the seventh. The Stingers who only had six men on base through eight innings, came alive in the top of the ninth with two walks, five hits, and two Redbird errors. The Stingers would score six runs to beat Asheville 6-4.

Asheville's next game is in Fort Mill, Wednesday at 7 pm.

Asheville takes Two from Tennessee

2010-06-13T04:04:51+00:00

The Tennessee Tornados traveled to Asheville tonight coming off of a two game win last night in Johnson City.
Game 1 started with Tennessee scoring first pushing one across in the top of the second inning. Kyle Watson's pitching and the Redbirds defense would only allow that one run in the game. Asheville scored one in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game. In the bottom of the seventh with one out, Casey Allison was hit by a pitch. Ben Brewer then singled to right field. With two runners on, Chris Allen smashed a game winning single that scored Allison to give Asheville the win, 2-1.

Game 2 started much like the first with the Tornados scoring one in the top of the second. Asheville quickly answered in the bottom of the third. Chris Allen lead off the inning with a single, Tommy Reed then hit a line drive shot down the first base line for a triple. Jake Hill then followed with a Home Run shot over the right center field fence. Asheville took the lead 3-1 after three complete. Tennessee added one in the top of the forth with Carlos Santana hitting a solo Home Run over the right field fence.
The Redbirds would add two more in the bottom of the forth with Kale Sumner leading off the inning with a solo shot to left center. The strong pitching from Asheville's Jacob White and Luke Smithson would keep the Tornados from scoring for the remainder of the game.
Asheville wins 5-2.

Asheville takes their record to 7-5.

Next game is at home Monday at 7 pm.

Asheville drop two to Tennessee

2010-06-12T03:49:11+00:00

The Redbirds traveled to Tennessee to take on the Tornados tonight. Game 1 started with the Redbirds scoring a run in the top of the first. This would be the only run of the game for the Redbirds as the Tornados pitching proved to be to much for Asheville. Tennessee scored two in the fifth and one in the sixth to take the win 3-1.

Game 2
Asheville started game 2 as they did in game 1 scoring one in the top of the first. Asheville would add 2 more runs in the top of the third and one more in the top of the fifth. Tennessee would score one run in each of the innings starting in the third. Tennessee takes game 2

Video Highlites of the 11 inning win

2010-06-10T20:39:57+00:00

Click the link below to see a video of some the high points of the exciting 11 inning win over the Chaos.

http://www.vimeo.com/12414697

A special Thank You to Stan Jones for putting this together.

Redbirds win again in extra innings

2010-06-10T02:13:43+00:00

The Redbirds and Chaos played 11 innings Monday night in Asheville. Tonight the Redbirds traveled to Clemson to take on the Chaos again. The Chaos scored first early in the game. The Redbirds were able to get on the board to tie the game. The game became a defensive battle with both teams unable to score. After nine complete the game remained tied at 1 a piece. In the Top of the tenth the Redbirds were able to load the bases. With two outs, Monday nights hero Kale Sumner comes up to bat. Kale is hit by a pitch which scores Dalton Hardee from third. Redbirds take the lead, 2-1. In the bottom of the tenth, Asheville's Luke Smithson faced four batters, striking out three. Asheville wins again in extra innings.
Asheville now has won four games in a row , inproving their record to 5-3.

Next game is a double header at Tennessee, Friday starting at 5 pm.

Redbirds slip pass Chaos in extra innings

2010-06-08T15:00:26+00:00

The Carolina Chaos traveled from Clemson to take on Asheville. The Chaos did not waste any time getting their bats going scoring one run in the top of each of the first two innings. Asheville would not score until the sixth when Casey Allison lead off the inning with a solo shot over the left field fence. The Redbirds would then tack on two more to give Asheville the lead after six complete.
The Chaos would not quit, with two outs in the top of the ninth and a runner in scoring position, Matt Discon hit a single to center field scoring the runner to tie the game.

The Game remained tied until in the eleventh when again Matt Discon came up to bat with a runner on first. Discon roped a shot down the third base line that tailed into the corned of the left field fence, scoring the runner from first, and giving the Chaos the lead once more.

Asheville started the bottom on the eleventh with pinch hitter Zach Hutton hitting a single to right field. Tyler Davis then ripped a double to center field. With runners on second and third and no outs, Casey Allison was intentionally walked to load the bases. Kale Sumner then smacked a long ball into the gap in left center to score two and win the game for the Redbirds.

This was a very exciting win for the Redbirds that have now won 4 in a row.

Next game is Wednesday at Clemson.

Pics from Saturday Double Header

2010-06-06T14:13:51+00:00

Redbirds take two from Owls

2010-06-06T13:22:09+00:00

Game 1

Kyle Watson got the start for the Redbirds. Statesville scored one in the top of the first, but that would be all for the Owls as Watson only gave up the one run on 4 hits, 1 walk and 3 K's throwing a complete game for the Redbirds.
Asheville did all of their scoring in the bottom of the second, a walk and two singles brought in a run, Dalton Hardee then hit a double, scoring two more for the Redbirds.
Asheville Wins 3-1

Game 2
Asheville jumped out to an early lead scoring one in the bottom of the second. Statesville scored two in the top of the forth. Asheville quickly responded by scoring two in the bottom of the forth to regain the lead. Casey Allison added one in the fifth for the Redbirds hitting a solo Home Run over the left field fence. The Redbirds added three more in the bottom of the sixth. Statesville only sent 10 more batters to the plate after scoring in the forth, as Asheville's pitching and defense shut down the Owls.
Jacob White Gets the win for Asheville 7-2

Redbirds split with Copperheads

2010-06-05T03:55:06+00:00

The Redbirds traveled to Lake Norman tonight to take on the Copperheads. The Redbirds have dropped the first two games of season and were looking for their first win. Game 1 started with Lake Norman scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the second inning off of a couple of Redbirds errors and some solid hits for the Copperheads. The Redbirds picked up two runs in the top of the fifth, but Lake Norman held on to take the win 5 to 2.
Game 2 started with the Copperheads scoring 1 in the bottom of the first inning. Asheville quickly struck back in the top of second with Brett Mercurio jacking a solo shot over the right center field fence. The Redbirds tacked on another run to take a 2-1 lead after two complete. Asheville scored again in the top of the third and added two more runs in the top of the seventh.
Asheville wins 5-1.

Next game is a double header against the Statesville Owls, at home Saturday, June 5th. Game time is 5 pm

Asheville comes up short in home opener

2010-06-03T13:45:32+00:00

Wednesday afternoon brought overcast skies and huge thunderstorms to the region. Rain was still present one hour before game time of the home opener against the Tennessee Tornados.
The rain did not stop the game from starting on time or the crowd of 109 fans that braved the elements to see the Redbirds home opener.
Asheville started the game off in nice fashion scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning. Tennessee answered with Brett Maddox hitting a solo shot over the left field fence in the top of the second. The Tornados scored again in the top of the forth. Asheville quickly answered with Mike Vaughn hitting a monster shot over the left center field fence.
The game remained tied until the seventh inning when the Tornados scored on a three run homer from Sam Munson.
Asheville made a charge on Tennessee scoring two in the bottom of the eighth, but came up short, losing the home opener 5 to 4.
Next game day for Asheville is Friday at Lake Norman.
Next Home game is a Double Header Saturday, starting at 5 against the Statesville Owls.

Redbirds drop season opener

2010-06-02T03:27:03+00:00

The Redbirds opened the season in Johnson City tonight against the defending SCBL Champions, the Tennessee Tornados.
The Redbirds jumped to an early lead scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Tennessee responded by scoring two in the bottom of the first. The Redbirds scored again in the top of the second and held the lead until Tennessee scored two more runs in the bottom of third. Tennesse added another run in the bottom of the fifth. Asheville scored one more in the top of the seventh to close the gap to 5-4. Tennesse then blew the game open scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Final score: Tennesse 8 Asheville 4

Asheville's home season opener is tomorrow night at 7 at TC Roberson High School.

First Game Tomorrow Night

2010-06-01T01:50:16+00:00

Hey Fans, First game tomorrow night against the Tornado's at Johnson City. The team took a little BP today at Bases R Loaded. I think everyone is pumped up and ready to play. I know the team would love to have your support in Johnson City if your able to make it. Game time is 7 pm. See ya there!

Redbirds players to have first practice

2010-05-29T00:18:59+00:00

Some early arrivals received a little Batting Practice from Coach Ryan Smith this afternoon at TC Roberson High School. The first official practice is tomorrow at 11:00 am.

Opening Day getting closer

2010-05-24T22:13:04+00:00

Hi Everyone, Our first game is approaching quickly. only 8 days until we play the Tennessee Tornados in Johnson City.
Please remember our first Home Game is Wednesday June 2nd at 7:00pm. Hope to see everyone there.

Congratulations to Mike Kitt

2010-05-12T16:59:21+00:00

The Asheville Redbirds would like to congratulate Mike Kitt (2009 Asheville Redbirds) from Mars Hill College for being selected to the first ever Pingbaseball.com Tino Martinez DII Player of the Year Award. The list was compiled of 50 deserving players from DII baseball. Kitt hit .446 on the year for the Lions. He had 83 hits, 25 doubles, 10 HR, 57rbi with 35 walks to only 25 strikeouts. Congratulations to Mike.

Redbirds alum climbing through Reds' farm system

2010-05-10T02:44:00+00:00

ASHEVILLE — In the winter before the 2004 baseball summer season, first-year Erwin High coach Fore Rembert was just trying to help a tall, skinny senior polish his skills in the outfield.

Instead, Rembert discovered Jordan Hotchkiss' hidden talent.

“He'd caught some in previous years, but he mainly was playing the outfield,” Rembert recalled last week. “I was hitting him grounders in right , and we were working on throwing it to the plate. He threw it over the freakin' backstop.”

Rembert asked Hotchkiss to move back to the right field fence then tapped him another baseball and told the right-hander to throw as hard as he could. Again, the ball sailed over the backstop.

That's when Rembert knew it was time for a position change. Hotchkiss, who started playing baseball when he was four, was about to throw his first pitch.

“He was the kind of kid that'd get real nervous, and he started shaking all over when I told him,” Rembert said. “I said, ‘Jordan, look dude. You're gonna do great. I mean, look at how hard you throw.'”

Hotchkiss listened, learned his new position and helped Erwin to a 17-7 record.

He earned a scholarship to Brevard College, got drafted after his junior year and is now a reliever for the Cincinnati High-A affiliate in Lynchburg, Va.

He's allowed one earned in nine appearances and a total of 14 1-3 innings this season (through Thursday's game), giving him a 0.63 ERA. That's the lowest on his team among pitchers with more than one appearance, and it's also lower than the other eight professional pitchers with ties to Western North Carolina.

Besides when Rembert gave him the opportunity to pitch, Hotchkiss pointed at two other developments over the years that set him up to succeed: switching to a side-arm delivery the before his junior year of college and refining his changeup before this season.

“My summer coach for the Asheville Redbirds was Robert Rudder, and he said ‘Maybe you should try throwing sidearm,'” Hotchkiss said last week. “I laughed, and I said, ‘Heck, I'll try anything right now.'”

That day, he picked up a save for the Redbirds.

Still using what he described as a three-quarter sidearm delivery, Hotchkiss said his fastball reaches 92 miles per hour. He supplements that with a change-up to lefties and a slider to right-handers.

Now in his fourth professional season, Hotchkiss said he's unconcerned by the pace the Reds have moved him through their farm system.

“As soon as I got drafted, the best advice my scout (Perry Smith) gave me was to always worry about pitching where you're at,” Hotchkiss said. “Don't look forward, and don't look behind. You've got to forget your bad outings. No matter how good you're throwing, you have to worry about where you're pitching now.”

Rembert's not surprised the tall, skinny kid with a big arm is excelling as a pro pitcher, and he thinks Hotchkiss has a higher ceiling of potential than most guys who've been firing from a mound their entire lives.

“Pitchers are usually identified at an early age,” said Rembert, who now lives in Hickory and no longer coaches or teaches. “His situation was so unique. I was just in disbelief that he had never thrown off the mound before. That's not saying anything bad about the previous coaches. Every coach somewhere has a diamond in the rough; it's just a matter of luckily stumbling across it. That's what we got when we found Jordan.”

A Special Thanks

2010-04-16T16:55:29+00:00

The Staff of the Asheville Redbirds would like to thank a couple of special people that helped us organize travel and advertising for the upcoming season.

Mellisa Rosenbalm of Young Transportation

and

Colleen Dieterly of Fairway Outdoor Advertising

They were very friendly and helpful, and we look foward to working with them again.

Redbirds Player Honored

2010-04-16T16:41:57+00:00

"Junior Derek Trent (Kingsport, Tenn.) was one of nine catchers added to the 2010 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award Watch List announced The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission on Monday. The Johnny Bench Award is awarded annually to the nation’s top collegiate catcher based on athletic ability, sportsmanship, team leadership and character. Trent currently is hitting a career best .352 with ten doubles, nine home runs and 38 RBI. "