Where are they now: Former local athletes turned pro
By Paul Lecker
Sports Reporter
A number of former local high school athletes are playing sports professionally across the country.
Periodically, Hub City Times will publish a sports roundup updating readers of those local athletes’ exploits.
Finlay shines for Columbus Crew
Former Marshfield High School soccer player Ethan Finlay is winding down his season with Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew.
The Crew is 13-10-8 and tied for second place in the Eastern Conference after a 2-1 loss at home to Portland on Sept. 26. The loss ended a short two-game win streak for Columbus, which stands just one point behind the first-place New York Red Bulls.
Finlay, a 2008 Marshfield High School graduate, is one of just two players, along with goalkeeper Steve Clark, to play in all 31 games this season for the Crew. He leads the team with 13 assists and is second on the squad with nine goals. Finlay’s latest goal came in the 27th minute of the Crew’s 2-1 win over D.C. United on Sept. 19.
The Crew wraps up its regular-season schedule with road games at New York on Oct. 3, at Toronto FC on Oct. 17, and at home against D.C. United on Oct. 25. The top six teams in each conference qualify for the MLS playoffs. Columbus can clinch a spot with one tie or win in its final three games.
Zimmermann wraps up season with Nationals
Auburndale High School graduate Jordan Zimmermann put the finishing touches on his season with the Washington Nationals as he made his final start of the season Wednesday at Atlanta.
Zimmermann took the loss despite giving up just two runs over six innings pitched.
For the season Zimmermann was 13-10 with a 3.66 ERA and had 164 strikeouts in 201 2/3 innings.
Over his seven-year career, which began in 2009, Zimmermann is 70-50 with a 3.32 ERA with eight complete games and four shutouts, including a no-hitter last season.
The Nationals were eliminated from the playoff chase last week and had an 80-78 record following Wednesday’s game.
Ashbeck finishes minor league season
Elliot Ashbeck, a 2012 Marshfield High School graduate, finished his first season in the San Diego Padres’ minor league system.
Playing for the Padres Rookie League team in Arizona, Ashbeck earned a save in a win over the White Sox team in his final appearance of the season on Aug. 28.
Ashbeck pitched in 16 games during the three-month season, going 2-0 with a 3.51 ERA and had four saves in five opportunities. He struck out 22 and walked just four in 25 2/3 innings.
Ashbeck was a 16th round draft pick by the Padres after finishing his three-year college career at Bradley University in June.
Leave a reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.