Rome Braves open season against Tourists tonight

The Latest Local News from the Rome News

The defending South Atlantic League Champion Asheville Tourists visit Rome this evening as the Braves open the 2015 season.

The Tourists finished the 2014 season with a 94-51 record and top Hagerstown in a five-game series to win the title last year.

Rome finished the 2014 season with a 56-84 record with Jonathan Schuerholz as manager. With the reorganization of the Atlanta Braves staff, Schuerholz has become the Braves’ Assistant Director of Player Development.

Randy Ingle returns to manage Rome once again. Ingle has managed Rome seven seasons and has twice taken the Braves to the SAL Playoffs.

Ingle led Rome to the playoffs in 2012 and 2006 with the team losing in the opening round each time.

Last year, Ingle took the Danville Braves to the Appalachian League finals.

The Tourists will send Zach Jemiola to the mound tonight. Jemiola played a key role by tossing 8.1 innings in Game 3 of the SAL Championship Series in Hagerstown.

Rome counters with big right hander Max Povse.

Povse stands 6-foot-8 and used his size to his advantage last year in Danville, compiling a 4-2 record while striking out 37 batters in 47.1 innings pitched while compiling a 3.42 ERA. Povse was a third-round pick for the Braves in the 2014 draft.

The Braves have a couple of notable prospects on the roster including outfielder Braxton Davidson, the Braves’ first pick in the 2014 draft.

Alec Grosser is on Rome’s roster as well. He pitched for Danville last season compiling a 4-3 record and pitching in 13 games. He posted a 3.68 ERA and struck out 66 batters while walking 22.

Another players to watch is Ozhaino Albies an 18-year-old shortstop from Curacao.

He hit .356 in 38 games with one home run, 15 stolen bases 17 walks and 48 hits in Danville last season.

Former Atlanta Braves manager and Baseball Hall of Fame Member Bobby Cox will throw out the first pitch tonight.

The Braves and Tourists play a four-game series to open the season Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Rome will then face Savannah in a three-game home series on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before hitting the road to play Augusta.

Friday night’s game against the Tourists features a post-game fireworks celebration.

Source: Rome News

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