Pavkovich helps lift Angels to win

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 20, 2003 | by Jeff Call Deseret Morning News

PROVO -- The season is still early, but Adam Pavkovich may have solidified his spot in the batting order.

At least for now.

Provo Angels manager Tom Kotchman moved Pavkovich to the No. 3 hole, from No. 2 on Wednesday, for Thursday's game against the Ogden Raptors. The University of Alabama product went a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate, including a double.

His performance with the bat helped lift the Angels to a 10-4 Pioneer League victory over the Raptors.

"I'm still trying to get used to the wood bats," Pavkovich said. "We just finished a 60-game season at Alabama with metal (bats). Once you get that first two or three (hits), you start rolling after that. It gets your confidence up." Of course, Pavkovich enjoyed hitting third. "At Alabama I flipped between two and three. That three spot is prestigious. When you're put in there, you're expected to do well. That's the mentality you've got to take."

"He's an experienced kid that's played at Alabama," Kotchman said. "He'll be hitting third tomorrow, too."

Pavkovich experienced and up-and-down game in the field. In the first inning he made a spectacular diving catch, but he committed an error later in that same frame. But at the plate, he was solid all night.

Provo starter Daniel Davidson threw four innings and gave up three hits and no runs while striking out four.

"Davidson was outstanding tonight," Kotchman said. "He changed speeds and threw strikes."

Ricardo Requena replaced Davidson in the fifth inning and ended up going four innings as well. He surrendered six hits and four runs, but earned the win.

The Angels scored in bunches against the Raptors, plating four runs in the fourth inning, three in fifth and three more in the eighth.

With the victory, Provo improved to 2-1 on the season while Ogden dropped to 1-2.

The Angels take to the road for the first time tonight when they visit Idaho Falls for the start of a three-game series. Provo returns home against Billings for a four-game set on Monday.

The Angels and Raptors won't meet again until July 30 in Ogden, but the two teams will face each other 13 more times this season.

E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com