Jurich Sets New Home Run Record
August 25, 2004 | Baseball
Aug. 25, 2004
DANVILLE, VA - Former University of Louisville outfielder Mark Jurich established a new single-season home run record for the Danville Braves of the Appalachian League when he smacked a pair of home runs in Monday night's game against the Kingsport Mets at Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport, Tenn. His record-breaking 13th home run of the season was a solo shot in the first inning, topping Ray McWhite's previous mark that was set in 1996. Jurich then hammered a two-run blast in the eighth inning to add to his record. Jurich hit his 15th round-tripper of the season Tuesday night, and is now hitting .262 with seven doubles and 35 RBI in his first season of professional baseball. Other players that have played for Danville include major leaguers Andruw Jones, Marcus Giles, Jermaine Dye, Randall Simon and Adam LaRoche. Dan Daniel Memorial Park, home to the D-Braves has a 16-foot outfield wall in addition to its standard dimensions, and opened in 1993. The Braves have five games remaining on the schedule before the playoffs. They currently hold a game and a half lead atop the East Division. Drafted in the 13th round by the Braves in 2003, Jurich had his rights retained by Atlanta as a fifth-year senior and signed following his senior season. As a senior, Jurich was named First Team All-Conference USA in 2002 and 2004 and hit .353 with 47 runs, 19 doubles, three triples, 19 home runs and 60 RBI in 56 games. He posted a .702 slugging percentage with 165 total bases and committed just a single error. Jurich finished his career at Louisville ninth in games played (193), seventh in hits (234), seventh in at-bats (714), first in doubles (58), sixth in triples (12), fourth in home runs (47) and seventh in RBI (178). His 19 doubles in 2003 season is tied for seventh all-time and his 19 home runs is tied for the eighth highest total in a single season. Jurich was just the third All-American in U of L baseball history, and following the 2002 season, he played on the gold medal-winning USA Baseball National Team.
