Pagano, Pitoy among MINK League offensive leaders
The Nevada Griffons boast a powerful offensive lineup. Spearheading the charge for the MINK League's No. 3 ranked offense are Tyler Pagano and Kainulu Pitoy.
Pagano, who until recently was in the running for the MINK League triple crown (home runs, RBIs, and batting average), is tied for second in both home runs (5) and RBIs (29). When counting non-league games, Pagano has 35 RBIs on the season. In addition, Pagano, an outfielder out of Oakland University in Rochester, Mich., is batting .344 with six doubles, a triple, and 26 runs scored.
The switch-hitting Pitoy, who can often be found batting one or two in the Griffons order, ranks fifth in the MINK League in batting average, hitting at a .362 clip. Additionally, Pitoy ranks fourth in home runs with four. Three of his blasts have come from the left side of the plate.
Pitoy, a Honolulu, Hawaii native who attends Western Arizona College, became the first player in the 31-year history of the Griffons to mash home runs from both sides of the plate in a game.
Pitoy's monster performance came in the season opener June 2 against the Midwest Nationals. Pitoy has also doubled nine times while scoring 20 runs.
Meanwhile, Pitoy's Western Arizona College teammate and fellow Griffon, Judah Zickafoose, checks in tied for second in the MINK League with 10 doubles, while ranking second on the team in stolen bases (10). Through 28 games, Zickafoose has collected 17 RBIs to go along with a .321 batting average.
Also excelling at the plate is Griffons second baseman Ethaniel Valdez, who is hitting .262 with six doubles and leads the team in stolen bases with 13.
Griffon pitching
Nevada's pitching has been excellent this season, ranking No. 2 in the MINK League behind Chillicothe. The Griffon pitching staff has limited opposing hitters to 191 hits over 241 innings.
Nevada relief pitching has also been solid, as Griffons closer, Tyler Butcher, is tied for first in the MINK League with five saves. Teammate Cole Butler has recorded two saves to go along with a 2.79 earned run average.