Broadcast/Media Relations: Erik Oas | [email protected] | Tel: 563-242-0727 x107 | 537 Ballpark Drive Clinton, IA 52732 | www.lumberkings.com Clinton LumberKings vs. Kane County Cougars 0-0 (Miami Marlins) 0-0 (Arizona Diamondbacks) Thursday, April 4, 2017 – 6:30 p.m. North Western Medicine Field (opened 1991) – Geneva, IL Game #1 of 140 RHP Chris Vallimont (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Jackson Goddard (0-0, 0.00) Class-A AFFILIATE OF THE Today’s Preview: The LumberKings (A, Marlins) open the 2019 season for the fourth straight year in Kane County against the Cougars (A, Diamondbacks). Over the last three Opening Days together, Clinton has won two and lost one. In 2018 the teams met in Geneva Series Information to open their season but did not play a game due to snow and cold weather. The LumberKings All-Time Series (1991): have not won back-to-back Opening Days since they won five in a row from 1996 through Kane County leads, 161-176 2000. Since 2019 (MIA): LumberKing Starter: Chris Vallimont, 22, gets the ball for Clinton in the season opener. Series Tied, 0-0 The Erie Pennsylvania native has said he enjoys pitching in the cold weather and is no 2016: Series Tied, 0-0 (of 15) th stranger to spring in the Midwest. The Miami Marlins selected Vallimont in the 5 round In Clinton: Series Tied, 0-0 of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Mercyhurst College. After throwing in the mid to high 80’s In Kane County: Series Tied, 0-0 in high school he chose to attend the DII school where he posted a 2.42 ERA in 2016, 2.69 Miami Marlins (Majors) ERA in 2017, and a 2.58 ERA in 2018 and can now touch 97 MPH with an average One-Run Games: Series tied, 0-0 National League (East) velocity 92 MPH on his fastball. Last year in the first year of his professional career he Extra-Innings: Series tied, 0-0 0-3 4th 2.5 GB went 0-2 with a 6.21 ERA with the Batavia Muckdogs. Last night: L, 5-3 (13) vs. Houston 2019 Meetings: Segura (SEA), 2-6, HR, R, 2 RBI Cougars Starter: Jackson Goddard, 22, gets the ball for Kane County in the curtain raiser. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third round Date Location Result/Time Springer (HOU), 2-7, HR, R, 5 RBI 4/4 at Kane County 6:30 PM Peacok (HOU), W, 1.0 IP, 2 K in 2018 out of the University of Kansas. Goddard tossed a no-hitter in high school, his junior 4/5 at Kane County 12:00 PM year, before pitching for three years as a Jayhawk. He made one start for the AZL 4/6 CLINTON 6:30 PM Mariners Minor League System Diamondacks, his pro debut, before finishing his year with the Hillsboro Hops. Goddard 4/7 CLINTON 2:00 PM combined to go 1-3 with a 4.03 ERA over 28 innings of work in his first pro season. 5/31 CLINTON 6:30 PM 6/1 CLINTON 6:30 PM New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A) 6/2 CLINTON 2:00 PM Pacific Coast League A Change To The Rule: Prior to the start of the Midwest League season another round of 7/6 at Kane County 6:30 PM Pacific Conference (South) rules changes were handed down with the aim of affecting pace of play. This season will 7/7 at Kane County 1:00 PM 7/8 at Kane County 12:00 PM 0-0 1st 0.0 GB see the Single-A level limit their coach and player mound visits from 10 in 2018 to 9 in 2019. Any players, coaches, or managers in violation of this rule are subject to ejection. 8/17 at Kane County 6:30 PM DAY OFF 8/18 at Kane County 6:30 PM 8/19 at Kane County 6:30 PM Hey, No Pressure: Seven-year Major League veteran Mike Jacobs comes to Clinton to head 8/20 at Kane County 6:30 PM Jacksonville Jumbo (Double-A) the LumberKings. The 55th Manager in franchise history has been written about during the Southern League (South) offseason for his role that he will play in the Marlins rebuild. Wells Dusenbury of the Sun 0-0 5th 0.0 GB Sentinel said that Jacobs position will be “vital role in a Miami rebuilding process.” DAY OFF He Knows These Guys: While all of the LumberKings Opening Day players are new faces given the affiliation change several faces will be familiar to Manager Mike Jacobs. Last season in Batavia – his second year with the Muckdogs – he had 14 of the players on the MWL 1st Half Standings Jupiter Hammerheads (High-A) current roster. Seven pitcher – C.J. Carter, Peyton Culbertson, Alberto Guerrero, Josh MWL Western Division Florida State League (South) Roberson, Manuel Rodriguez, Chris Vallimont, and Zach Wolf. And seven position players 0-0 3rd 0.0 GB W-L GB – J.D. Osborne, Bubba Hollins, Sean Reynolds, Demetrius Sims, Chris Torres, Ricardo Beloit 0-0 - DAY OFF Cespedes, Michael Donadio, and Jerar Encarnacion. Burlington 0-0 - Cedar Rapids 0-0 - New Affiliation: The Clinton LumberKings are in the first year of a new affiliation with the Clinton 0-0 - Clinton LumberKings (Class A) Miami Marlins. The Seattle Mariners, the previous affiliation, were in Clinton for 10 seasons Kane County 0-0 - Midwest League (West) (2009-18) – the second longest affiliation in franchise history behind the San Francisco Peoria 0-0 - 0-0 5th 0.0 GB Giants 15 seasons (1980-94). The Marlins are the 14th Major League team to affiliate in Quad Cities 0-0 - DAY OFF Clinton. Wisconsin 0-0 - League Leader: Sean Reynolds is a hard LumberKing to miss given his 6’7” frame but it MWL Eastern Division Batavia Muckdogs (Rookie) was his power that stood out to many in 2018 with Batavia. The 2016 4th round pick led the W-L GB Bowling Green 0-0 - New York-Penn League (Pickney) New York-Penn League in home runs (17), RBIs (52), Runs (49), and strikeouts (133). Dayton 0-0 - **Not Playing** Prospecting: The Clinton LumberKings Opening Day roster included four top 30 prospects Fort Wayne 0-0 - Great Lakes 0-0 - according to MLB.com. Outfielder Connor Scott (No.6), catcher Will Banfield (No. 10), GCL Marlins (Rookie) Lake County 0-0 - Gulf Coast League (East) infielder Chris Torres (No. 28), and outfielder Thomas Jones (No. 30). Lansing 0-0 - **Not Playing** South Bend 0-0 - Missed It By That Much: The LumberKings come into today’s season opener in the midst West Michigan 0-0 - of a two-year playoff drought. In 2018, the team seemed to be a lock to make the playoffs *First Half Division Champion in the first half before collapsing in the final week. Clinton was beat out for a Wild Card by the Peoria Chiefs via a tie breaker. Broadcast Information: All Clinton LumberKings games will be broadcast live on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at LumberKings.com via TuneIn Radio App with the Erik Oas, in his third season as the “Voice of the LumberKings.” Upcoming Probable Pitchers: Clinton/Opponents. FRI 4/5 at Kane County RH Josh Roberson (0-0, 0.00) vs. RH Ryan Weiss (0-0, 0.00) 12:00 p.m. SAT 4/6 vs. Kane County RH Humberto Mejia (0-0, 0.00) vs. RH Justin Lewis (0-0, 0.00) 6:30 p.m. SUN 4/7 vs. Kane County RH Peyton Culbertson (0-0, 0.00) vs. LH Franklyn Soriano (0-0, 0.00) 2:00 p.m. MON 4/8 vs. Quad Cities LH Manuel Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00) vs. TBA 6:30 p.m. Today’s Starting Pitcher #33 Chris Vallimont HT: 6-5 WT: 220 Bats: Right Throws: Right Age: 20 Born: March 18, 1997 Resides: Erie, Pennsylvania Acquired: Selected in the 5th round of 2018 MLB Draft LAST TIME OUT: First start of season. AGAINST THE COUGARS: This will be Vallimont’s first career start against the Cougars and his first against an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. 2019: Assigned to Clinton’s Opening Day roster 2018: Selected in the 5th round of Draft… made professional debut on July 1st with the Batavia Muckdogs… made just one appearance out of the bullpen and started in 11 games going 0-2 with a 6.21 ERA Miscellaneous: Attended Mercyhurst for three years… posted 2.42 ERA in 2016, 2.69 ERA in 2017, and 2.58 ERA in 2018… favorite holiday is Saint Patrick’s Day 2019 GAME-BY-GAME RESULTS WITH CLASS A CLINTON (relief appearances in italics) Date vs. DEC IP H R ER BB K HR HB WP BK ERA RESULT April Totals TOTALS LUMBERKINGS POSITION PLAYER SNAPSHOTS #11 – Banfield, Will Ht: 6’0”, Wt: 200 Born: 11/18/99 Resides: Snelville, GA C Marlins Acquisition: Selected in the 2nd round (69th overall), 2018 MLB Draft 2019: Assigned to Clinton’s Opening Day roster… ranked by Baseball America preseason as Marlins 9th best prospect … ranked by MLB.com as Marlins 10th best prospect 2018: Taken by the Miami Marlins in the 2nd round of the 2018 MLB draft out of Snellville High School in Georgia… signed for $1.8 million to forgo a commitment to Vanderbilt… Baseball America labeled him as Best Defensive player taken by Marlins in 2018 … made professional debut on June 29th Gulf Coast league against the GCL Mets Last Game: Season-Highs Career-Highs Series: Hits: 3, 7/13/18 vs.