The International League announced today (Sunday) that Louisville infielder Jermaine Curtis has been named the International League Player of the Month for April. He becomes the first Bat to be named as IL Player of the Month since pitcher Homer Bailey received the award in June of 2009.
Curtis led the International League for the first month of the 2016 season with a .385 batting average, 18 RBI, and a .515 on-base percentage, with six hit by pitches. “I am happy [to hear the news],” exclaimed Curtis. “I have put a lot of work in and to start off good means I could have a great year. I can use this accolade to propel me forward [mentally] the rest of the season.”
Curtis has led the Bats to a 12-9 start, driving in at least one run in ten of the sixteen games he has played in. He has cleared the bases with a double twice this season, first on April 20 against the Clippers and six days later versus Norfolk. He hit .464 with runners on-base in April, and an even better .526 (10-for19) with runners in scoring position.
“The main thing that comes to mind about Curtis is his consistency,” stated Bats’ manager Delino DeShields. “He works hard and is one of the players guys can look up to in the clubhouse.”
The Bats continue their five-game homestand with the final game of the Durham series today at 2:05 p.m. They finish the homestand with three games versus the Norfolk Tides; highlights of the three games include Dog Night on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. and Education Day on Wednesday at 11:05 a.m.
The Bats have averaged 8,827 fans per game at Louisville Slugger Field since its opening in 2000 and have totaled over 10 million fans through 16 seasons. Tickets for all regular season games are available. The entire 2016 Bats schedule, including updated promotions and special events, can be found at batsbaseball.com. Single-game tickets may be purchased online, by calling 1-855-228-8497 or by visiting the Louisville Slugger Field box office. Full and partial season tickets, along with group outings and suite rentals are available by calling the Bats front office at 502-212-2287.
