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National honors continue for 2006 Volcanoes

The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes have been named the national Short Season Class A Team of the Year by Minor League Baseball. In the wake of a record-breaking championship season and the highest winning percentage in professional baseball, the Volcanoes were honored in a national awards presentation telecast via the internet, November 29.

Two Salem-Keizer players also received top national honors. Adam Cowart was chosen as the Outstanding Starting Pitcher and catcher Adam Witter was honored for best Single-Game Performance. Cowart was 10-1 with a 1.08 Earned Run Average during the regular season and tossed a three-hit, complete game shutout against Boise in Game 2 of the NWL Championship Series. Witter hit for the cycle and went 4-4 with a franchise record seven RBI's in Vancouver, August 29.

Two months ago, Cowart, Witter and Manager Steve Decker had all been named to the national Short Season All-Star Team by Baseball America. The publication also named Salem-Keizer as Team of the Year. (Minor League Baseball does not name a Manager of the Year.) Cowart was also selected for the Topps' Short Season/Rookie All-Star team announced November 28.

Brian Anderson, who won NWL All-Star honors as the Volcanoes' closer in 2005, was selected as the Outstanding Relief Pitcher in Advanced Class A after a sensational season at San Jose in the California League.