Sarratt and Burgess Help Lead HiToms to Championship

Aug. 14, 2007

HIGH POINT/THOMASVILLE, N.C. – Clemson’s D.J. Mitchell and Wilson Boyd started it all in 2006 as they led the HiToms of the Coastal Plain League to their first Petitt Cup Championship. A new duo of Tigers continued the success in 2007 as the HiToms recently won their second consecutive CPL Championship.

Pitcher Justin Sarratt came up big for the HiToms in the Petitt Cup. Facing elimination and playing the #1 ranked Fayetteville Swampdogs, Sarratt had a performance that earned him Rawlings Defensive Player of the Tournament honors. He threw a complete game shutout as the HiToms blew out Fayetteville 16-0. Sarratt allowed only six hits in the nine innings and struck out nine batters.

Sarratt pitched in nine games for the HiToms during the regular season. He went 3-2 on the mound with a 3.35 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 40.1 innings pitched.

Infielder J.D. Burgess’ defense, bunting, and heads up running proved to be critical in the tournament. Down by one run with two outs in the 9th inning of Game 1, Burgess pinch ran at second base and scored the tying run on a single. The HiToms would win on a single later in the inning. Starting two games in the tournament, Burgess scored two runs with two sacrifice bunts.

During the season, Burgess hit .233 in 28 games. He scored 14 runs and drove in seven.

The Coastal Plain League features 15 teams in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. For information on becoming a host family for coaches or players, tickets or other team information, please contact the HiToms at (336) 472-TOMS or visit them on the web at http://www.hitoms.com.