The late WIVK/Knoxville VP/GM Bobby Denton was inducted to the Country Radio Hall of Fame on Wednesday, June 19th in Nashville, Tennessee.
Denton spent his entire 49-year career at WIVK/Knoxville, helping build the station into the iconic radio brand it is today. Denton started on the air and rose to a leadership position at WIVK and, its parent company, Dick Broadcasting where he was elevated to VP in 1981.
In that role, Denton was responsible for the company’s radio stations in Knoxville, Nashville, Greensboro, NC, Colorado Springs, CO, and Birmingham, AL.
Denton helped WIVK in garnering numerous industry awards, including eight CMA Station of the year honors; five ACM Station of the Year trophies, and four Marconi Awards.
In addition to this year’s inclusion in the Country Radio Hall of Fame, Denton is also a member of the Opryland Disc Jockey Hall of Fame, and the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. Denton enters the Country Radio Hall of Fame posthumously, after passing away following a short bout with cancer in 2014.
Congratulations to Bobby Denton and his family on this incredible honor. WIVK would not be what it is today without Denton and the impact that his life had on everyone who he encountered.
The Teen Choice Awards announced its first wave of nominations on June 19.
Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X earned multiple nominations on the country front.
Lil Nas X led all artists with five nominations, including three for his crossover hit, “Old Town Road.”
Check out all of the country music-centric nominees below.
Choice Country Artist
Brett Young
Dan + Shay
Kacey Musgraves
Kane Brown
Kelsea Ballerini
Thomas Rhett
Choice Country Song
Maren Morris, “Girl”
Kane Brown, “Good as You”
Thomas Rhett, “Look What God Gave Her”
Kelsea Ballerini, “Miss Me More”
Kacey Musgraves, “Rainbow”
Dan + Shay, “Speechless”
Choice Song: Male Artist
Lil Nas X, “Old Town Road”
Khalid, “Better”
Shawn Mendes, “If I Can’t Have You”
Travis Scott, “SICKO MODE”
Louis Tomlinson, “Two of Us”
Post Malone, “Wow”
Choice Collaboration Lil Nas X (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus), “Old Town Road [Remix]” BTS (feat. Halsey), “Boy With Luv”
Sam Smith & Normani, “Dancing With A Stranger”
Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber, “I Don’t Care”
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, “Shallow”
Julia Michaels (feat. Niall Horan), “What A Time”
Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song
Lil Nas X (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus), “Old Town Road [Remix]”
Meek Mill (feat. Drake), “Going Bad”
Mustard & Migos, “Pure Water”
Post Malone & Swae Lee, “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)”
Khalid, “Talk”
Post Malone, “Wow”
Choice Breakout Artist
Lil Nas X
Billie Eilish
HRVY
Juice WRLD
Lizzo
ROSALÍA
Choice Male Artist
Lil Nas X
Ed Sheeran
Khalid
Post Malone
Shawn Mendes
For the first time since the tragic death of their three-year-old son, River, on June 6, Granger Smith and wife Amber spoke directly to the public in a new 28-minute video, Finding Light in Our Darkest Time. The new video, which was released via YouTube on June 19, also features clips and photos of River.
During the first 10 minutes of the video, the couple speaks directly to the camera, sharing some of the details surrounding River’s tragic accident, while thanking fans and hospital staff for their care, love and support. Granger and Amber reiterated their commitment to each other and their family—daughter London, 7, and son Lincoln, 5—as well as their faith.
Granger revealed the accident occurred when he was outdoors doing gymnastics with London, while River and Lincoln were playing with water guns.
“Somewhere between 30 seconds and three minutes—we don’t know—Amber and I are inside our pool gate doing CPR on our son,” says Granger.
Granger noted that River lived just over 1,000 days, adding, “If you could live those days barefoot, red hair flying back on your tractor full speed ahead, if you could do that with your family around you, with no real care in the world, that’s a good 1,000 days, that’s a good way to live.”
Granger and Amber asked that donations be made—in lieu of sympathies—to Dell Children’s Medical Center, the Central Texas hospital where River was treated. In addition, Granger and Amber honored River with a T-shirt, which is on sale now for $21.99, that features an excavator adorned with “Riv,” with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Dell Children’s Medical Center. As it currently stands, donations in River’s memory and T-shirt sales have raised more than $100,000 for Dell Children’s Medical Center.
Granger also released a statement with the video, which you can read below.
“We’ve been on quite the journey these past few weeks. I’ve been dark on social media, but I still have a full understanding of the responsibility placed upon me as a public figure. I can choose to snuff that influence, or instead use my platform (in relevancy big or small) towards what I believe is right. I believe I’m obligated on certain levels to include you guys in my current journey, as I’ve been involved either personally or musically in yours.
The finality and mortality brought on by death makes life feel fragile. It can weaken, terrify and separate those close to it. But it can also awaken us. It can remind us never to take a moment with those we love for granted. In my house, we have united stronger and closer than we’ve ever been. We’ve cried. We’ve smiled. I’ve held my family tight. I’ve found strength from God and used that in the face of adversity so that my wife and children can rely on me. I’ve guarded my heart and my mind during weak moments and graciously accepted all of the encouragement and empathy from so many. I have realized that I will not slave over a search for answers, but instead for meaning. I will focus and then cultivate the light from a dark place, the good from the bad, God’s will from my own plans. I can rest assured knowing that River’s assignment on earth was always intended for 1116 days and not only did he live it to the fullest, but he lived it loved by so many, including a mother, father, sister and brother who held nothing back and have no regrets on how much he felt that love. We should all be so blessed to be able to live like Riv.
-Granger
P.S.-Thank you for all the love, prayers and support. We feel it!
Tony Vitello – UT Baseball HC / Credit: UT Athletics
Following a remarkable first two seasons leading the Tennessee baseball program, head coach Tony Vitello has agreed to a contract extension through June of 2024, Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer announced Wednesday.
The extension includes salary increases, with Vitello set to earn $580,000 next season. His salary rises to $650,000 by the end of the agreement.
Vitello—a first-time head coach—has rejuvenated the Tennessee program since arriving on Rocky Top in June of 2017. During his first two years as head coach, he has led the Volunteers to 69 victories, including 40 wins in 2019—the first 40-win season for the program since 2005. His 29 victories in 2018 were the most by a first-year head coach in program history.
Most notably, Vitello led UT back to the NCAA Tournament this season for the first time since 2005, ending a 14-year drought for the program. The Vols went 2-2 to finish as runner-up to host and No. 14 national seed North Carolina in the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional.
Vitello in 2019 led the Vols to their best finish in Southeastern Conference play since 2005, as they posted 14 wins to finish third in the Eastern Division. Tennessee won five series in SEC play (its most since 2005) and also finished the year with 26 victories over non-conference teams (its most since 2000).
“Impressive doesn’t begin to describe the job Tony has done with our baseball program these past two seasons,” Fulmer said. “I believe we have in Coach Vitello one of the nation’s brightest young head coaches. From managing the game, to player development, to recruiting and relating to today’s student-athletes—Tony has a firm grasp on all aspect of leading a major program. He’s surrounded himself with an outstanding staff, and we are going to support them as Tennessee baseball continues to climb.”
The Big Orange exploded out of the gates this season with the best start in program history, winning their first 15 games. Tennessee was ranked in the top 25 for 10 weeks and racked up nine wins over ranked teams, the most in a season since 2014. In Vitello’s two seasons at the helm, the Vols have won 16 games against ranked opponents.
Tennessee showed vast improvement in all three phases of the game in 2019, especially on the mound and in the field. The Vols boasted one of the nation’s top pitching staffs and fielding teams this past season, tying the program record with 10 shutouts (second among Division I teams), while also finishing among the national leaders in strikeout-to-walk ratio (ninth), WHIP (10th), walks allowed per nine innings (14th), ERA (19th) and fielding percentage (14th). UT’s .979 fielding percentage was the best in program history.
The Vols’ offensive production also saw an increase under Vitello in 2019. Tennessee scored 378 runs, had 173 extra-base hits, hit 53 home runs and had a slugging percentage of .407, all marks that were the best since 2010. UT was one of the country’s most proficient base stealing teams as well, leading the SEC with 108 stolen bases this season. Junior speedster Jay Charleston finished the year with 41 steals, becoming the first SEC player to steal 40-plus bases in a season since VFLs Chris Burke (49) and Stevie Daniel (46) both accomplished the feat back in 2001.
Vitello and his staff have already had seven players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft over their first two seasons in Knoxville. Tennessee had six players taken in the 2019 MLB Draft. Andre Lipcius (third round), Garrett Stallings (fifth round), Andrew Schultz (sixth round), Zach Linginfelter (ninth round), Ricky Martinez (18th round) and Charleston (26th round) each were selected. This season marked the first time that UT had four or more players taken in the first nine rounds of the draft since 2001 when Burke (first round), Wyatt Allen (first round), Jeff Christensen (fifth round) and Daniel (sixth round) were chosen.
Here’s a study of 20 of the best (and latest) 2019 NBA Mock Drafts in where University of Tennessee players Grant Williams, Admiral Schofield and Jordan Bone are showing up ahead of this Thursday’s 2019 NBA Draft.
Some mock drafts are two-rounders while others just project the first round. The most common draft position for each player is in bold. The workouts listed are from Hoops Hype’s full listing as well as NBA team post-workout videos on their team websites. You’ll also find some comments from me down below in Vince’s View.
Grant Williams (18)
1st Rd (19) San Antonio Spurs – DraftSite.com
1st Rd (21) Oklahoma City Thunder – NBC Sports
1st Rd (24) Philadelphia 76ers – RotoWorld 1st Rd (25) Portland Trail Blazers – USA Today 1st Rd (25) Portland Trail Blazers – Sporting News 1st Rd (25) Portland Trail Blazers – The Ringer 1st Rd (25) Portland Trail Blazers – CBS Sports/Kyle Boone 1st Rd (25) Portland Trail Blazers – CBS Sports/Brad Crawford
1st Rd (26) Cleveland Cavaliers – CBS Sports/Gary Parrish
1st Rd (27) Brooklyn Nets – Stadium
1st Rd (27) Brooklyn Nets – Net Scouts Basketball
1st Rd (27) Brooklyn Nets – CBS Sports/Matt Norlander
1st Rd (28) Golden State Warriors – Basketball Insiders
1st Rd (29) San Antonio Spurs – The Athletic
1st Rd (29) San Antonio Spurs – Yahoo Sports
1st Rd (30) Milwaukee Bucks – ESPN/Jonathan Givony
2nd Rd (36) Charlotte Hornets – NBADraft.net
2nd Rd (39) New Orleans Pelicans – Sports Illustrated
Not in 1st Rd Only Mock – ESPN TV Mock Draft Selection Special & Bleacher Report
Teams Williams worked out for (10): Warriors, Jazz, Suns, Hawks, Magic, Celtics, 76ers, Bulls, Spurs, Nets
Admiral Schofield (10) 1st Rd (23) Utah Jazz – CBS Sports/Gary Parrish *Pick traded to Memphis 1st Rd (23) Utah Jazz – CBS Sports/Brad Crawford *Pick traded to Memphis
2nd Rd (31) Brooklyn Nets – CBS Sports/Matt Norlander
2nd Rd (32) Phoenix Suns – Net Scouts Basketball
2nd Rd (37) Dallas Mavericks – CBS Sports/Kyle Boone 2nd Rd (38) Chicago Bulls – ESPN/Jonathan Givony 2nd Rd (38) Chicago Bulls – Basketball Insiders
2nd Rd (40) Sacramento Kings – The Ringer
2nd Rd (42) Philadelphia 76ers – The Athletic
2nd Rd (43) Minnesota Timberwolves – Sports Illustrated
Teams Schofield worked out for (5): Jazz, Celtics, Warriors, Trail Blazers, Pacers
Jordan Bone (7)
2nd Rd (43) Minnesota Timberwolves – Net Scouts Basketball
2nd Rd (53) Utah Jazz – CBS Sports/Kyle Boone
2nd Rd (56) Los Angeles Clippers – Basketball Insiders 2nd Rd (57) New Orleans Pelicans – ESPN/Jonathan Givony 2nd Rd (57) New Orleans Pelicans – NBADraft.net
2nd Rd (59) Toronto Raptors – Sports Illustrated
2nd Rd (60) Sacramento Kings – The Athletic
Teams Bone worked out for (8): Pistons, Wizards, Kings, Celtics, Hornets, Hawks, Jazz, Magic
Kyle Alexander (0)
None
Teams Alexander worked out for (5 of the 10 he says he has done): Hawks, 76ers, Raptors, Grizzlies, Hornets
Vince’s View
There are a number of really interesting things from this mock draft deep dive.
There are 10 different teams projected to draft Grant Williams among the 20 mock drafts. That shows his versatility in style and fit, even if some believe he doesn’t have a clearly defined position in the NBA.
The Portland Trail Blazers appeared in five mock drafts to select Williams at #25. I do think that is a very nice style fit for Grant.
CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander actually has the Brooklyn Nets picking Peanut Butter and Jelly in the draft, with Williams in the 1st round at 27 and Admiral Schofield with the first selection of the 2nd round at 31. The Boston Celtics could be another candidate to do something like that, as unlikely as it may be.
It appears that the NBA Scouting Combine really helped Jordan Bone, as his appearance in two-round mock drafts has grown steadily since.
While several NBA teams worked out two Vols draft prospects, the Atlanta hawks and the Boston Celtics worked out three Vols.
NCD has obtained exclusive excerpts from the interview that will air on country radio on June 29 [update, the interview was posted to Ty’s podcast on June 19—Listen Here].
Here are a few of Maren’s choice quotes regarding:
Public response and media interest from the Playboy photos and interview:
“Oh, yeah [it’s been positive]. I was just talking about this . . . you really can’t win. You could tweet ‘I love apples’ and someone would be like ‘F you, apples are awful.’ I’ve learned you can’t really win, so I’m just going to do what I believe in, and do me. I look at people like Dolly Parton, who did the cover of Playboy back in the ’70s, so that was sort of my guiding light when I was deciding whether or not to do the shoot.
“I kind of knew when I did it that it was going to be a little incendiary, but I didn’t really expect people to have such insane rage over it. That was the unforeseen part, people coming after Ryan [Hurd], people on my team, people that were a part of the shoot. I was just like, ‘Oh, my god, you guys aren’t even mad, this is such faux rage.’ This must be a slow news week because I’m literally wearing less on my Women’s Health cover.”
Not focusing on the haters:
I did those photos for me . . . not to be weird about it, I was just like, ‘Well, I look like this, I work out, while I look like this I want to have pretty photos of it.’ I guess for the first time I’ll go out and buy Playboy because I want to have some hard copies of it. I’m really proud of what we did. I love that it was all women on the shoot, so I felt super safe, and [the photos are] not nude, so everyone chill the F out.”
Parents and family seeing the Playboy photos and interview:
“I sent it to them last week when I got the advance copy. They were like totally cool with it. They know who I am. I think at the end of the day, it’s like, I’m married, I am in love with my partner, he supports me to no end—my music and me as a woman—so I feel like if I’m going to impart any wisdom, it’s coming from that angle.”
Challenging herself:
“Every year of my career, I’ve done something that’s scared me, from this [Playboy shoot] to doing ‘The Middle’ with Zedd. I thought that there’s a chance, if I do this song with this EDM guy, country is going to think that I’m like leaving them behind or something. Luckily that didn’t happen, and that wasn’t the case, and it was like a stupid fear. I didn’t get into this to be a torchbearer for my gender or anything like that. I just think that’s organically happened because there weren’t enough women getting airplay on the charts. As someone who was [getting airplay], I want to speak up for my female artist friends who work maybe harder than I do and don’t get an ounce of what I’ve received . . . I just naturally have fallen into this role . . . I want it to be more equal, I want everyone to get their fair share because everyone is so f’in talented and inspires me.”
Following in the footsteps of country music luminaries like Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Rosanne Cash and more, Marty Stuart will be the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 16th artist-in-residence
Marty will perform three themed shows in the museum’s CMA Theater on Sept. 11 (The Pilgrim), Sept. 18 (Psychedelic Jam-Bo-Ree) and Sept. 25 (Songs That Tell a Story).
Sept. 11: The Pilgrim
Marty will celebrate the re-release of his 10th studio album, The Pilgrim (1999), which showcases his songwriting and instrumental talents and tells the story of a man from Marty’s hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi. He will celebrate this 20-year milestone with a host of musical guests including Chris and Morgane Stapleton, Emmylou Harris, Connie Smith, Gary Carter and Kristin Wilkinson with her Superlative Strings.
Sept. 18: Psychedelic Jam-Bo-Ree
The 1960s introduced us to undeniable superstars and gave us unforgettable songs. Join Marty for an evening celebrating country music of the 1960s, featuring a line-up of influential artists and musicians including Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman of The Byrds, Connie Smith, Old Crow Medicine Show, Buck Trent, Kenny Lovelace, Jim Lauderdale, the Grand Ole Opry Square Dancers and the Fabulous Superlatives.
Sept. 25: Songs That Tell a Story
Harlan Howard famously referred to country music as “three chords and the truth.” Marty will pay homage to country music’s musical stories with an acoustic show. This lineup will feature a number of Nashville’s most influential and revered storytellers including John Prine, Doug Kershaw, Dallas Frazier, Brandy Clark and the Fabulous Superlatives.
Established in 2003, the museum’s artist-in-residence series honors a musical master who has contributed a large and significant body of work to the canon of American popular music. The artist-in-residence is invited to use the museum’s performance venues to create unique musical experiences. Marty joins a prestigious group of past honorees that includes Cowboy Jack Clement, Earl Scruggs, Tom T. Hall, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Buddy Miller, Connie Smith, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Rosanne Cash, Jason Isbell and Miranda Lambert.
Tickets for all three shows are on sale now and can be purchased at CMATheater.com.
Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line and their Can’t Say I Ain’t Country Tour cohorts—Dan + Shay, Morgan Wallen, Canaan Smith and Hardy—took a slight detour before their concert in Southaven, Miss., on June 15.
The troupe stopped by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis (about 20 minutes from Southaven) to perform for patients and their families, as well as meet the brave kids who are fighting childhood cancer.
“One of our favorite moments this weekend right here,” said FGL, in part, via Instagram. “Thank you @stjude for inviting us out and to our buddies @danandshay@morganwallen@hardy and @canaansmith for joining us yesterday.”
“Thank you @stjude + @flagaline for inviting us to be a part of such a special day in Memphis,” added Dan + Shay via Twitter. “@stjude is truly one of the most wonderful places on earth, and we’re so proud of our country music community for all that it has contributed towards saving lives.”
The country music industry has raised more than $800 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since Country Cares for St. Jude Kids began 30 years ago. Thanks to generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
thank you @stjude + @flagaline for inviting us to be a part of such a special day in memphis. @stjude is truly one of the most wonderful places on earth, and we’re so proud of our country music community for all that it has contributed towards saving lives. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/CqhwctVLiA
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball is well-represented on the 2019 summer circuit with 23 current players on summer-league rosters.
Each week on UTSports.com, we will provide an update on all of the Vols participating in the various summer leagues around the country.
The first summer ball update of the year can be found below.
USA Baseball Collegiate National Team LHP Garrett Crochet
Season Stats: N/A
Crochet accepted an invitation to the 2019 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp, which will run from June 27-30 in Cary, North Carolina before a 26-man roster is selected prior to the 8th USA vs. Cuba International Friendship Series that will take place July 2-6 in Cary, Charlotte, Durham and Hickory, North Carolina. Team USA’s 26-man roster will then travel to Taiwan for the 19th USA vs. Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series after which USA Baseball will announce a final 24-man roster to compete in the 43rd USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series from July 16-21 in Japan.
Read more about Crochet’s training camp invite HERE.
Cape Cod League OF Zach Daniels – Orleans Firebirds
Season Stats: 5 GP, .133 AVG, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 6 K, .133 SLG, .133 OBP
Daniels went 1-for-4 in the Firebirds opener on June 11 against Yarmouth-Dennis and recorded his second hit of the season on June 16 in a 2-1 loss to Bourne. The Georgia native also scored a run in Orleans’ 4-4 tie against Wareham on June 14.
LHP Will Heflin – Harwich Mariners
Season Stats: 1 App, 0 GS, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 0.50 WHIP
Heflin was nearly perfect in his only appearance so far this summer. The junior lefty struck out a pair and allowed one hit in two scoreless innings as Harwich defeated Falmouth 7-1 on June 16.
RHP Sean Hunley – Brewster Whitecaps
Season Stats: 1 App, 1 GS, 1-0, 2.25 ERA, 4.0 IP, 3 R, 1 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 6 K, 1.50 WHIP
Hunley got his summer started off with a victory in Brewster’s 12-4 win over Hyannis on June 16. The sophomore got the start and allowed three runs – only one earned – and struck out six in four innings of work to begin his summer campaign 1-0.
Soularie has scored in all four games he’s played in and has recorded a hit in three of those contests so far this summer, including a two-hit performance in a 2-1 win over Orleans on June 15. The All-American also scored twice, doubled and drove in a run in an 11-5 victory over Hyannis on June 16.
Despite a slow start for the Firebirds, Wallace has been solid in his two appearances out of the bullpen thus far. The sophomore right hander has given up just two hits while racking up five strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work.
California Collegiate League OF Justin Ammons – Conejo Oaks
Season Stats: N/A
Ammons has not seen action yet this summer.
INF Pete Derkay – Arroyo Seco Saints
Season Stats: N/A
Derkay has not seen action yet this summer.
INF Max Ferguson – Orange County Riptide
Season Stats: N/A
Lipcius went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI in his second game of the summer against Conejo on June 8. He followed that with another hit and two runs scored against Orange County on June 9.
INF Trey Lipscomb – Orange County Riptide
Season Stats: N/A
Lipscomb has not seen action yet this summer.
C Connor Pavolony – Santa Barbara Foresters
Season Stats: 5 GP, .188 AVG, 3 R, 3 H, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K, .250 SLG, .350 OBP
Pavolony has recorded a hit in three of his five games played so far this summer. In his first game of the summer, the Georgia native reached base twice with a single and a walk and also drove in two runs in a 10-1 win over Conejo on June 11. The freshman catcher had two runs, a double, a walk and an RBI in a 10-4 victory over Orange County on June 16. Pavolony has also thrown out two base stealers already this summer.
RHP Elijah Pleasants – Academy Barons
Season Stats: 2 App, 0-0, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 3.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 0.30 WHIP
Pleasants is off to a red-hot start for the Barons, earning a pair of saves in his only two appearances so far. The lanky right hander opened his summer with two shutout innings in a win over Orange County on June 13, striking out three while allowing just one hit. He followed that up with a pair of punchouts in 1.1 innings of work as Academy defeated Conejo, 9-5, on June 16.
OF Evan Russell – Arroyo Seco Saints
Season Stats: N/A
Russell has not seen action yet this summer.
OF Christian Scott – Arroyo Seco Saints
Season Stats: 5 GP, .222 AVG, 2 R, 4 H, 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 5 K, .389 SLG, .263 OBP
After a slow start, Scott has started to find his groove as of late. The Clarksville, Tenn., native went 3-for-4 with a triple against Orange County on June 14 after hitting a double and scoring a pair of runs in a 4-3 win over Santa Barbara one day earlier.
Coastal Plain League RHP Caleb Pearson – Forest City Owls
Season Stats: 3 App, 2 GS, 0-2, 6.10 ERA, 10.1 IP, 12 H, 12 R, 7 ER, 8 BB, 6 K, 1.94 WHIP
Pearson has struggled out of the gates for Forest City, starting the summer 0-2 after a pair of rocky starts. The Brentwood, Tenn., native does have six strikeouts so far this summer.
Following a rough outing to start the summer, Plummer rebounded nicely in his second start with five strikeouts and just one earned run allowed on three hits in 3.2 innings of work as the SwampDogs defeated Asheboro 10-4 on June 16.
Rucker got off to a slow start at the plate, going hitless in his first three games, but singled and scored a run in the Owls’ last game, a 5-1 victory over High Point-Thomasville. He also earned the top spot on the Coastal Plain League Plays of the Week with a web gem at shortstop.
Northwoods League INF Austin Knight – Kalamazoo Growlers
Season Stats: N/A
Kohlhepp posted a quality start in his summer debut for the Express, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out two batters in 4.2 innings as Eau Claire defeated Thunder Bay, 9-6, on June 9.
Ohio Valley League C Matthew Ellis – Dubois County Bombers
Season Stats: 3 GP, .385 AVG, 2 R, 5 H, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K, .462 SLG, .357 OBP
Ellis is off to a good start for the Bombers with five hits and three RBI in just three games played so far this summer. Dubois County is currently in third place in the East Division with a 5-5 record.
RHP Bennett Shoptaw – Dubois County Bombers
Season Stats: 3 App, 2 GS, 0-1, 9.58 ERA, 10.1 IP, 18 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 5 BB, 9 K, 2.23 WHIP
Shoptaw has struggled in three appearances so far this summer with a 9.58 ERA in 10.1 innings of work.
Expedition League RHP Hunter Dreves – Western Nebraska Pioneers
Season Stats: 4 App, 2 GS, 1-0, 6.75 ERA, 9.1 IP, 5 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 15 BB, 13 K, 2.14 WHIP
Dreves earned his first victory of the summer as the Pioneers defeated Fremont, 6-5, on May 30. The Kentucky native struck out three batters in three innings of work. In four innings, Dreves struck out six batters and allowed just one run on one hit in his most recent outing as Western Nebraska earned a 5-4 win over Casper on June 16. While Dreves has allowed just five hits in 9.1 innings, he has struggled with walks, giving up 15 free passes already this summer.
Chris Lane and Lauren Bushnell got engaged on June 16.
Chris shared a video of the proposal, featuring him popping the question in the backyard of Lauren’s family home in West Linn, Oregon.
Under the guise of letting Lauren hear one of his new songs, “Big, Big Plans,” Chris stealthily takes Lauren hand and drops to one knee during the song’s ending, saying, “Baby, you’re the best thing to ever happen. You’ve brought out a lot of things inside me that I didn’t even know existed. And I have to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
Watch the video below, which is interspersed with clips of the happy couple.
![Granger Smith & Wife Share Heartfelt Thoughts & Celebrate Late Son’s Life in Emotional Video [Watch]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2019/06/20103300/Granger-Smith-Amber-AFF.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
![[Exclusive Interview] Maren Morris Opens Up About “Playboy” Experience: “I’m Really Proud of What We Did . . . Everyone Chill the F Out”](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/602/2019/06/19135029/Maren-Morris1-CH.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
