Wednesday, July 17, 1996

Prairie Dogs Notebook

By MARK WILSON
Staff Writer

Jason Satre is back near his old Little League baseball stomping grounds, buthe says that his primary interest in joining Alexandria Aces was to be with a winning team.

Satre, a righthanded pitcher who helped lead Cooper to Class 5A state championships in 1987-88, was the losing pitcher Monday night in Alexandria's 4-2 Texas-Louisiana League loss to Lubbock.

Satre came to Abilene at age 16 after living six years in Shreveport, La. because his father was in the Air Force and was transferred. Before the move, Satre made a few Little League playoff appearances in Alexandria, which is a two-hour drive from Shreveport.

The former Rio Grande Valley team member said before Tuesday's series opener in Abilene that he was far more concerned about winning than going back to Louisiana.

"The reason I came over here was I couldn't work things out with Rio Grande Valley. I chose Alexandria because they've got a good team and I think we can win," Satre said. "The main reason I signed with them is that I think we can win."

A slight change in the weather is the major noticeable difference in the move, according to Satre.
"It's not really anything different," Satre said. "It's a little more humid. It's nice. Both teams are good teams full of good guys. It's not hard to fit in."

Satre is on the comeback trail, after missing six weeks with a strained arm.

"They said it was tendonitis," Satre said. "I had an MRI and it didn't show anything."

Satre gave up two home runs in his seven-inning stint with the Aces against Lubbock, his first start for Alexandria after three relief appearances. Satre isn't pleased with the way he is throwing the ball at this point, but says that the arm problem is behind him.

"Not as good," Satre said of his current pitching level. "It will take me a few times before I get back to normal."

With Rio Grande Valley, Satre had a 1-1 record with a 4.91 earned run average. He started five games and made eight appearances.
Satre seems to be focused on making the playoffs with an improved second half.
"
I just want to contribute and perform for these guys," said Satre, who won't get to pitch against the Prairie Dogs this time, but would welcome a playoff series against them - especially in Abilene.
"It would be fun," Satre said. "I'd rather play in Abilene, though. Our ballpark is too small."

The Children's Miracle Network's Manager of the Night contestants joined the Prairie Dogs in batting practice before Tuesday's game against Alexandria.

Three contestants will be trying to earn the title of Manager of the Night and go on the field with the Prairie Dogs on Aug. 1 by collecting the most moneyfor Children's Miracle Network.

The contestants are Jerry Teel, director of plant operations for Hendrick Medical Center, Randall Bingaman, general manager of Frontier Motors, and Josh Ammons, manager and trustee for the Maurita G. Ammons Trust.

The Prairie Dogs split their weekend series with Tyler, 2-2. Their 8-3 win kept Abilene from losing only its third series of the season.

Abilene, the first-half champion in the Texas-Louisiana League, has won 12 series, lost two and split two.

The Prairie Dogs have compiled the best overall record in the league, paced by a league-leading ERA of 3.47. Abilene has averaged 8.8 hits per game, however, a league low.
Since returning to the Abilene lineup after missing nine games with a strained groin, left fielder Paul Gonzalez was 5 for 5 entering Tuesday night's game.

In tonight's game at Crutcher Scott Field, set for 7:05 p.m., the scheduled starting pitchers are Lance Schuermann (4-0, 3.31 ERA) for Abilene and Brannon Peters (4-5, 3.81) for Alexandria.
Thursday's game against Alexandria will mark the final home appearance for the Prairie Dogs until Aug. 1, against Amarillo.