Baseball Southern Conference

Former Catamount Makes Big League Debut

Cullowhee, N.C. - David Pember, who pitched at Western Carolina from 1997-99, had his Major League Baseball debut with the Milwaukee Brewers Sept. 4 versus the Chicago Cubs. He is the second Catamount to debut in the major leagues this season as former Catamount All-American Jason Beverlin pitched for the Cleveland Indians on July 29 at Seattle.

Pember, who was pitching for the Brewers' AA club in Huntsville, pitched 3.2 innings and gave up three earned runs in Milwaukee's 10-1 lost at Chicago. Pember had a tough start, walking the leadoff hitter and allowing a hit to the second hitter. However, he was able to settle down and escape with just one run scored in the inning. Pember was also the victim of an untimely error in the outfield.

Brewers' manager Jerry Royster was encouraged with Pember's performance, saying "He has an idea how to pitch. Now it's a matter of making pitches. I want to see him a second time."

Pember (Knoxville, Tenn./Bearden HS) posted a career record of 14-9 with nine saves and 135 strikeouts. His eight saves in 1998 ranks fourth on the WCU single-season list, while his nine career saves ranks fifth. In 1999, Pember led the Cats in strikeouts (76), complete games (4) and innings pitched (119.2), which led to him being an eighth-round draft pick by the Brewers.

Other Catamounts currently in professional baseball are Beverlin, Mark DiFelice, Charles Thomas and Jared Burton. After pitching three games with the Indians, Beverlin was picked up by the Detroit Tigers and is currently with the Tigers' AAA team in Toledo, where he is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA.

DiFelice, who was named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for Aug. 8-14, is 3-0 for the Salem Avalanche (Colorado Rockies oraganization) this season with a 2.80 ERA. The former 15th-round pick pitched for the Rockies AAA team in Colorado Springs last season, but is currently working his way back from shoulder surgery, which was performed in September 2001.

Thomas, who is with the Braves AA team in Greenville, S.C., has played in 71 games with a .231 batting average.

Burton, an eight-round pick by Oakland this past spring, is pitching for the Vancouver Canadiens in the Northwest League. Burton is 0-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 13 games with Oakland's A team. He has tallied 38 strikeouts in 37.2 innings with just 14 walks.