April 5, 2003
Two Duquesne Dukes are set to start another season with the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball organization. Joe Beimel, who became the first Duquesne baseball player drafted by the home-club team when he was picked in the 18th round of the 1998 draft, is starting his third season with the parent club. And B.J. Barns, a sixth round selection in the 1999 MLB draft, will open this year with the Class AA Altoona Curve after finishing the 2002 season with the Class A Lynchburg Hillcats.
Beimel made the Pirates' opening day roster in 2001 as a middle reliever after just two and a half seasons in the Bucs farm system. In two full seasons with the MLB club, Beimel has a 9-16 record and a 4.95 ERA. Primarily slated for a relief role, he has started 26 games because of injuries to the Pittsburgh pitching staff in both seasons.
The St. Mary's, PA native was chosen to the mid-season All-Star team in both of his full minor league seasons. He led the Dukes in 1998 in wins (6), appearances (14), innings (65) and complete games (4). Beimel was second on the squad with 39 strikeouts and third in ERA at 4.71.
Beimel appeared in the Pirates' opening day win over the Cincinnati Reds, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in the 10-1 victory, the first game ever at Cincy's Great American Ball Park. The Bucs open their home schedule on Monday, April 7th vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at 6:05 p.m. at PNC Park.
Barns (left) returns to the Curve after helping the Hillcats to the Carolina League championship in 2002. He was rated the "Best Defensive Outfielder" in the Pirates' organization by Baseball America entering last season. He hit .268 last season with 12 home runs and 69 RBI, all career highs and was the Carolina League Player of the Month in May after batting .310 (35-for-113) with four 4 HRs and 24 RBI during the month.
The Harrisburg, PA native holds seven single-season records at Duquesne, including runs (67), hits (89), doubles (22) and home runs (20 in 1998). His .456 batting average and 58 RBI in 1998 are good for second all-time. Barns also holds six career marks, including batting average (.412), runs (153), RBI (161), doubles (47), home runs (49) and saves (10). In his third season with the Dukes, he was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 1999, batting .456 with 17 HR and 57 RBI in 56 games. His .456 average ranked third in the NCAA as he was named second-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association in 1999.
The Curve began the 2003 season on Thursday, April 3rd at Reading, PA against the Reading Phillies. The teams exchange dugouts next week when Reading visits Altoona for the Curves' home opener at the Blair County Ballpark at 6:35 p.m on Thursday, April 10th.
