Holliman Awarded

Sevierville, Tennessee -- The Tennessee Smokies Professional Baseball Club, the Class AA Southern League Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, proudly announce the right-handed pitcher Mark Holliman has been named the InsideTheIvy.com Pitcher of the Year in the Cubs farm system.

Holliman was awarded this honor based on his accomplishments during the 2007 season with the Smokies, where he spent the entire season.

Holliman was a mainstay in the Southern League ERA leaders category, finishing up the 2007 season eighth overall in the league with a 3.57 ERA. Mark began the 2007 campaign going 5-0 through six starts, allowing only two earned runs in 41 innings pitched. The highlight of Holliman’s season came on June 21st at Smokies Park, as he threw the Smokies first no-hitter since 2000 in a 3-0 win over the Huntsville Stars. Mark also launched a 2-run home run in that game, one of two home runs he hit this season.

“Personal achievements such as a no-hitter notwithstanding, Mark Holliman proved himself at the Double-A level time and again this season, just two years removed from his college career at Ole Miss,” said Steve Holley – Editor in Chief of Inside The Ivy. “He logged the most innings of any Cubs minor league pitcher this season, and what really impressed our staff was the manner in which Mark set the bar high for the entire Smokies pitching staff with his strong start to the season in April.”

“He was able to throw his fastball for strikes while executing his change-up and curveball to set up hitters,” Holley continued. “Given the year Mark had, we feel his accomplishments this season speak for themselves.”

Holliman joins past winners and 2007 Smokies members Donnie Veal and Sean Gallagher in winning this award. Veal won the accolade in 2006, with Gallagher earning the honor in 2005. Visit www.InsideTheIvy.com for more information about this award, and to keep up with all the future Cubs players as they work their way through Cubs minor-league system.

www.smokiesbaseball.com