Two Sea Gulls inducted into Eastern Shore Hall of Fames
SALISBURY, Md. - A pair of left-handed pitchers that have been big parts of the Salisbury University baseball program were recently inducted into two different Eastern Shore Hall of Fames. Sea Gull assistant baseball coach Troy Brohawn was inducted into the Eastern Shore Baseball League (ESBL) Hall of Fame on November 5 and former SU standout, Cory Willey was recently inducted into the Chesapeake College Hall of Fame on December 5. Brohawn and Willey are natives of Cambridge, Md.
Brohawn, who spent 11 years in professional baseball, is one of three major league baseball players to be selected into this year's ESBL Hall of Fame class. The other two big league players inducted were Harold Baines and Ryan Thompson. Baines, who was former No. 1 pick of the Chicago White Sox, is remembered for his sweet swing and long tenure with the Baltimore Orioles. The trio caps an 11 member cast that was inducted into the ESBL Hall of Fame.
Brohawn spent three seasons in the majors and claimed a World Series ring with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. The lefty closed out game six of the seven-game series with a strikeout in Arizona's 15-2 win. In his three seasons in the big leagues, Brohawn was 4-4 with 46 strikeouts, one save, and a 4.86 ERA in 66.2 innings. In the minors, the lefty-specialist pitched 11 seasons and registered a 51-36 record with 505 strikeouts, 231 walks, and a 3.95 ERA in 731.1 innings. The University of Nebraska alum had his best minor league season in 2007 when he was 13-5 with 98 strikeouts in 169 innings with Arizona's Double A-affiliate, the Shreveport Captains. The first-team All-American played for three different major league organizations including Arizona, San Francisco, and Los Angeles (NL). He was drafted in the fourth round of the 1994 draft by Arizona.
Chesapeake College announced its Hall of Fame Class of 2008 and former Salisbury University baseball standout, Cory Willey, was one of four recipients honored.
Willey, who just concluded his fourth season in professional baseball, was named to the All-Capital Athletic Conference first team in 2003. The Cambridge, Md., native holds the career saves record for Salisbury and was named the Most Valuable Player for the Sea Gulls in ‘03.
"I feel honored to be part of Chesapeake's Hall of Fame," said Willey."It's a reward for me for making the right decision - Chesapeake was the perfect first step for me, both in terms of baseball and academics."
Willey is set to become the 25th member added to the Chesapeake College Hall of Fame since it was established in 2003. The Hall of Fame consists of student athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators. Willey played two years for the Skipjacks (1999-2001) and holds records for bases stolen in a game and a career, as well as the single-season runs batted in record.
His professional career is extensive, as the southpaw has played on five different teams in his four-year career. He started his career with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox in ‘04 and sported a 1-0 record in two games with a 4.50 earned run average. After being released from the Red Sox organization, Willey signed with the New Haven County Cutters of the Canadian-American Association League (Independent) in ‘06. He posted a 5-3 record in 42.1 innings of work with the Cutters and held an ERA of just 2.55. Following the season, the lefty was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies and was assigned to their Class-A affiliate, the Clearwater Threshers. Willey helped guide the Threshers to the Florida State League Championship in ‘07 as he posted impressive numbers (7-2, 2.34 ERA, 38 appearances). He was promoted to their Double-A affiliate, the Reading Phillies later that season. In Reading, Willey was 2-1 with eight strikeouts in six innings pitched. Last season, he signed on with the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League (Independent) and went 7-2 with a 2.96 ERA, 71 strikeouts, and only 29 walks in 76 innings pitched.
The Chesapeake College Sports Information Office contributed to this article.
Also see:
