Champion Named Pitcher of the Week

DURHAM, NC -- Sioux Falls Canaries starting pitcher Adam Champion has been named the American Association Pitcher of the Week for July 22-28, the league announced on Monday. Champion is the second Canaries pitcher this month to be selected for the award by Pointstreak, the official statistician of the American Association.

Champion, 25, went 2-0 in two starts and gave up just two runs in 13 innings pitched. The lefty beat Winnipeg with six shutout innings on July 24 on two days rest, not walking anybody and striking out three batters. On Sunday, July 28, he held the Lincoln Saltdogs scoreless through the first seven innings on just two hits before giving up two runs in the eighth, and the Canaries won 4-2.

“Adam gave us two of the gutsiest back-to-back starts we’ve seen all season,” Canaries pitching coach Mike Meyer said. “To pitch the way he did on short rest in Winnipeg and then follow up a tough loss in Lincoln with his outing yesterday was tremendous. It’s been fun to see his evolution this season from a guy with good stuff to a true pitcher.”

In his first season with the Canaries, Champion is now 6-7 with a 5.56 ERA. He is tied for the league lead with 15 games started. He joins Canaries starter Kyle Ruwe as the second pitcher this month to earn the honor.

Champion and the Canaries are back in action at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday at the Birdcage against the Trois-Rivieres Aigles.

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Canaries