Two Pilots ink professional contracts
June 23, 2011
SHREVEPORT, La. - Two former LSU Shreveport Pilots have signed on the dotted line to play professional baseball in the Independent League ranks, both in the American Association. Kevin Smith will join the El Paso Diablos in the midst of their current 10-game road trip while Michael Diffie will depart with the Shreveport-Bossier Captains for a six-game road trip.Smith will look to provide some spark to the struggling Diablos (9-28) line up. The left-handed hitting first baseman led the Pilots this season in batting average (.437), home runs (16), and RBI (72). He was a dominating force in the Pilot's lineup all season long and will be a force to be reckoned with at the professional ranks.
"I am excited for Kevin, if anyone deserves this he does. He has raw talent and has one of the sweetest swings I have ever seen," said LSUS head coach Rocke Musgraves.
Diffie will join the defending American Association Champion Captains to fill a much needed role as an infielder. The right-handed hitting second baseman for the Pilots hit .362 with 5 home runs and drove in 41 runs. Diffie played his best ball the last half of the year for the Pilots coming through with some clutch hits and outstanding defensive plays.
"This is a great opportunity for Dif to play some more baseball. He is one of the hardest working players I have ever coached, he should be a nice fit for the Captains," said Musgraves.
The Captains will only meet the Diablos three more times this season and unfortunately it will be in El Paso. The only chance the local crowd will have to see Smith play at Fair Grounds Field would be if the Captains meet the Diablos in the post season.
Diffie and the Captains will return home to Fair Grounds Field for a quick two-game series on Friday and Saturday July 1st and 2nd against the Amarillo Sox at 7:05 both nights. Following the game on Saturday night (July 2nd) the Captains will have an early 4th of July Fireworks special.
To follow Smith and the Diablos click here.
To follow Diffie and the Captains click here.
