[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

March 18, 2004

Belle Plaine Sends Ace Dozier to North Hills
Today at a press conference the Belle Plaine Musketeers announced a three-for-one trade has been completed with the North Hills Hawks. The Musketeers have shipped 25-year-old starting pitcher Lou Dozier to the Hawks for 30-year-old shortstop Rance Jeffries, 29-year-old starter Pistol Pete Westberry and a player to be named later.

Both managers Hub Carlson of the Hawks and Boo Ladrieux of the Musketeers thought it was a good trade for both teams. Ladrieux said, "It's a win-win trade. Both teams filled spots in their rosters that will make them better. We got a shortstop and a fine pitcher with great potential and promise, plus we'll get another ballplayer in the deal... "a little extra" or "lagniappe" as we say in French."

Carlson was extremely happy. "It's not often you can get a pitcher of Dozier's quality and capability. He provides us with a very talented pitcher and he could be here for 15 more years."

Last year Dozier was the ace of the Muskies rotation with 17-12 record with a 2.97 ERA. Since joining the league, Dozier has compiled an ERA of 3.30 with a career record of 29-31. He has 452 strikeouts in 545 innings and has held opponents to a .256 batting average.

Jeffries gives Belle Plaine a solid shortstop with great range in the field and a decent bat. Jeffries batted .272, hit 3 home runs, scored 74 times and had 48 RBIs.

In his rookie season last year Westberry appeared in 32 games with 10 starts. He had 6 wins and 2 losses and a 3.07 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 105 innings and 2 saves.