SHAWNEE - It was another great week for the #BigLeagueBison as reliever Julian Merryweather made his first career start for the Toronto Blue Jays while Taylor Hearn continued to see action out of the bullpen with the Texas Rangers.
Merryweather earned his first start of his career last Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox. In his only appearance of the week, Merryweather was phenomenal in two innings of work, allowing no runs on one hit to go with three strikeouts and no walks.
Date Team IP H R ER BB K
8/26 vs. BOS 2.0 1 0 0 0 2
TOTAL 5.1 2 0 0 2 9
ERA: 0.00
Hearn returned to the rubber with a pair of appearances including a two inning outing against the impressive Oakland Athletics, allowing no runs on one hit to go with two strikeouts and one walk.
Date Team IP H R ER BB K
8/29 vs. LAD 0.1 2 1 1 1 1
8/25 vs. OAK 2.0 1 0 0 1 2
TOTAL 8.0 7 3 3 7 10
ERA: 3.38
Merryweather had an outstanding career at OBU with a 22-5 record over two seasons. The All-American had a career ERA of just 1.73 in 182 innings pitched after tying the second-lowest ERA in program history with 1.07 in 2014. He registered 208 strikeouts with the Bison. He was drafted by Cleveland Indians in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft.
In his lone season on Bison Hill, Hearn compiled a perfect 9-0 record with an ERA of 3.50. He struck out 71 batters in 64.1 innings pitched and held opposing batters to a .191 average as the Bison advanced all the way to the NAIA World Series. Hearn was drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals.
Three more Bison are in minor league affiliates, but saw their seasons canceled due to COVID-19.
Right handed pitcher and 2018 graduate Albertus Barber is currently with the full season A Lakewood BlueClaws, an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Right handed pitcher and 2019 graduate
Shane Kelso is currently with the full season A Burlington Bees, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
First baseman and 2019 graduate
Jake Gozzo is currently with the rookie ball Billings Mustangs, an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
