Off The Bench: Keeping up with those in the pros

Former Florida Gulf Coast University third baseman Jason Louwsma made his first at-bat as a professional a successful one when he singled off former Michigan State pitcher Tim Day, a Chicago White Sox draft choice.

Louwsma later scored in the inning, helping the Billings (Mont.) Mustangs to a 12-2 win against Great Falls in a Pioneer (Rookie) League game on June 20.

Louwsma, drafted by Cincinnati earlier this month, finished 1-for-5 with two runs scored while batting in the No. 5 spot. He played third base.

Through five games, Louwsma was batting .300 with six hits, three RBI, three strikeouts and no home runs in 20 at-bats.

On Saturday, he went 2-for-4 with two RBI in a 9-1 win against Helena.

Billings is managed by former Red Sox star Rick Burleson.

• One year ago Vicky Hurst captured the rain-shortened Nike Junior Golf at Fort Myers in her first American Junior Golf Association event.

This week the 15-year-old from Melbourne will tee it up against the best in the world when she competes in the U.S. Women's Open at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island.

Hurst qualified for the Open when she earned medalist honors at a sectional qualifier. Hurst won the 2005 Florida Women's State Golf Association girls junior championship.

Last year Hurst shot 76-70 at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club before rain forced the cancellation of the final round.

• Former Miracle Matt Garza had been cruising through Eastern League opponents, but he's been shaky in his past two starts.

After winning four of his first five decisions with the New Britain Rock Cats, Garza lasted only two innings in an 8-7 win against Bowie on June 21. Garza allowed six earned runs on six hits and walked four before being yanked.

Sunday wasn't much better for the Twins 2005 first round draft choice. Reading rocked Garza with seven hits and five earned runs in 3.2 innings in a 14-2 Phillies win.

Garza was 5-1 with the Miracle before being recalled on May 15.

• Switch-hitter Matt Tolbert has been on fire with the Rock Cats. Since being recalled from the Miracle on June 21, Tolbert is 9-for-16. He went 3-for-3 with three runs scored in a 7-5 win against Bowie on June 23.

On Saturday, Tolbert notched an RBI double and former Miracle Garrett Guzman blasted a solo home run in a 3-1 win against Reading.