To say the Aberdeen IronBirds are struggling would be a huge understatement. Entering their series against the Hickory Crawdads, the IronBirds were on a five-game losing streak and looking to right the ship.
Unfortunately, things went from bad to worse, and the IronBirds were swept, which brings their losing streak to 11 straight games.
The series saw the IronBirds score five runs twice, but the Crawdads scored at least five runs in every game, including 12 and 15 runs in games three and five, respectively.
Let’s see who stood out in the series for the IronBirds.
COLLIN BURNS – INF
One of the few bright spots in the series was infielder Collin Burns. The former 2021 sixth-round draft pick out of Tulane collected at least one hit in every game, two multi-hit games and had RBIs in five of the six games.
Burns’ strongest game came in Friday’s 12-5 loss to the Crawdads. The 23-year-old would go 2-for-5 at the plate, with a double, a run and two RBIs from the lead-off spot.
Burns, who was just promoted back to Bowie from his rehab assignment, has played 22 games in High-A Aberdeen. He is slashing .265/.358/.373 with a home run and seven RBIs. Of Burns’s 22 total hits, five have gone for extra bases, as he has scored 14 runs and stolen seven bases.
TRACE BRIGHT – RHP
In a series that saw the opposing team score runs at will, it was difficult to find a pitcher who stood out. For the IronBirds, though, right-hander Trace Bright had the strongest showing of the series.
A 2022 fifth-round draft pick out of Auburn, Bright started Aberdeen’s 15-2 loss on August 3. He would pitch four innings but only allowed one run, giving up two hits and three walks. However, the Auburn product managed to strike out 10 before departing the game.
Though Bright did not factor into the decision, he has now appeared in 19 games (15 starts) on the season and has a 4.48 ERA across 70.1 innings. The 22-year-old has struck out 107 batters, walking only 41, and has managed to hold opponents to a .198 batting average.
With the IronBirds struggling as of late, it is difficult to pinpoint positive performances when pitching, defense and offense have all been struggling to produce results.
The IronBirds are off on Monday before they head north to take on the Brooklyn Cyclones, who are on a three game losing streak and 4-6 in their last 10.
Will the IronBirds be able to right the ship, or will their struggles continue? It all starts Tuesday at 7:00 P.M, EST.
THE BALTIMORE BATTERY 
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