By Staff
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Silver Hawks and Arizona Diamond Backs officially announced the 2003 opening day roster.
Six players who finished the 2002 campaign in South Bend will headline the 25-man roster that will open the year on the road against the Lansing Lugnuts at 7:05 p.m. today at Oldsmobile Park.
Pitchers Enrique Gonzalez and Matt Wilkinson return as a starter and relief pitcher that will highlight manager Von Hayes and pitching coach Dan Carlson's staff. Gonzalez, between South Bend and Yakima went 6-4 with an ERA of 2.81, while Wilkinson finished with and ERA of 3.72, striking out 79 and walking 9 in 67.2 innings.
The Hawks will have speed to burn in the outfield, with Jared Ball, Richie Barrett and Burney Hutchinson returning, with Ball swiping 12 bases despite suffering a severe ankle injury on July 11 versus West Michigan.
The Silver Hawks will look to improve their team batting average, and have brought in Hector de la Cruz to work as the Silver Hawks hitting coach.
Under de la Cruz, the Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League finished with a modest .251 team batting average.