Diamond Notes : Kent Matthes, Austin Hyatt Set to Make Pro Debuts

[Diamond Tide]

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June 18, 2009

Matthes opens pro career with Tri City Dust Devils; Hyatt begins with Williamsport Crosscutters

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama seniors Kent Matthes and Austin Hyatt have both signed professional baseball contracts and will begin their minor league baseball careers this weekend.

Matthes, a fourth-round pick of the Colorado Rockies, has been assigned to the Tri-City Dust Devils of the short-season Northwest League in Pasco, Wash. Matthes will make his professional debut with the Dust Devils on Saturday, June 20 against the Boise (Idaho) Hawks at 8:15 p.m. (CDT).

He is one of four former SEC players on the Dust Devils roster, joining former Vanderbilt right-hander Casey Weathers (1st round, 2007), MSU right hander Aaron Weatherford (3rd round, 2008) and former Vanderbilt infielder Alex Fienberg.

Hyatt, a 15th round selection by the Philadelphia Phillies, will play this season for the Williamsport (Penn.) Crosscutters in the historic New York-Penn League. The Crosscutters open play Friday, June 19 against the State College (Penn.) Spikes at 6:05 p.m. (CDT) in the short-season league.

Hyatt will join a couple of familiar faces on the Williamsport roster as he will be re-acquainted with Oklahoma State outfielder Michael Dabbs and East Carolina second baseman Stephen Batts. The Tide played the Cowboys in the 2009 Clemson (S.C.) Regional and faced the Pirates in the 2008 Conway (S.C.) Regional.


-UA-


RTR,

Diamond Tide