Owusu-Asiedu, Cumming earn Appalachian League weekly honors

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Elizabethton's Avery Owusu-Asiedu (SIU Edwardsville) and Burlington's Dylan Cumming (Liberty) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of June 27-July 3, respectively.

Owusu-Asiedu hit .500 (12-for-24) with two home runs and eight RBI in five games played for the Elizabethton River Riders last week. He also doubled four times, scored seven runs and walked twice. Owusu-Asiedu tied for the Appalachian League lead in AVG (.500), doubles (4) and total bases (22). He also finished second in hits (12), tied for second in SLG (.917), third in OPS (1.455), and tied for third in RBI (8). On Wednesday against Bristol, Owusu-Asiedu went 2-for-5 with a solo home run. On Friday in Greeneville, he went 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Owusu-Asiedu's best offensive game of the season came Saturday night in Kingsport; He finished 4-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and three RBI.

Overall this summer, Owusu-Asiedu is hitting .348 with five home runs and 21 RBI in 22 games played. He leads the Appy League in SLG (.640) and extra-base hits (16). Owusu-Asiedu also has at least two hits in eight straight games, the longest streak in the Appy League this season. The 19-year-old outfielder from Waukesha, Wisc., just finished his sophomore season at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He hit .260 with eight home runs and 33 RBI in 49 games for the Cougars last spring.

Cumming appeared in two games (one start) for the Burlington Sock Puppets last week, and he went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA. The right-hander struck out 14 and did now allow a run in 10.0 innings. He surrendered five hits and walked three. Cumming led the Appalachian League in both innings pitched (10.0) and strikeouts (14). On Wednesday in Johnson City, Cumming allowed one hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief. On Sunday in Danville, Cumming pitched the first nine-inning complete game shutout in the Appalachian League this season, he allowed four hits, walked three and struck out 12.

Overall, Cumming is 3-3 with a 1.30 ERA and 26 strikeouts in seven appearances (three starts), all three of his starts have been complete games. Cumming leads the Appy League in ERA, complete games and shutouts. The 23-year-old from Grand Blanc, Mich., just finished his senior year at Liberty. Cumming pitched in 19 games (12 starts) for the Flames this spring, he went 5-5 with a 5.05 ERA and struck out 64 in 76.2 innings pitched.