SHAWNEE -- The #BigLeagueBison continued their string of impressive performances as relievers Julian Merryweather of the Toronto Blue Jays and Taylor Hearn of the Texas Rangers combined to make five appearances this past week, including a second start from Merryweather.
Merryweather had a pair of solid outings, including a great two-inning start against the Miami Marlins. He did give up his first runs of the season against Boston in a tough 0.2 innings pitched, but remained on course, bouncing back against the Yankees on Monday.
Date Team IP H R ER BB K
9/7 vs. NYY 2.0 0 0 0 1 1
9/4 vs. BOS 0.2 4 3 3 0 1
9/1 vs. MIA 2.0 1 0 0 1 3
TOTAL 10.0 6 3 3 4 14
ERA: 2.70
After a tough outing against Seattle on Friday, Hearn responded on Labor Day with one inning pitched, allowing no runs and striking out a batter.
Date Team IP H R ER BB K
9/7 vs. SEA 1.0 0 0 0 0 1
9/4 vs. SEA 1.0 2 3 3 1 2
TOTAL 10.0 9 6 6 12 13
ERA: 5.40
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.
