24-year-old tosses five no-hit innings en route to victory and first career weekly award
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Minor League Baseball announced on Monday, May 9, that Daytona Tortugas RHP Sam Benschoter has been named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week 20 (May 3-8). The 24-year-old is the first Daytona player to be honored with a weekly award this season.
Benschoter is the first Tortugas pitcher to receive a weekly award since LHP Reiver Sanmartin was named Florida State League Player of the Week for May 20-26, 2019. He is the first Tortuga to be recognized with a weekly honor since SS José Torres was named Low-A Southeast Player of the Week for September 13-19, 2021.
In his start on Saturday night against the Jupiter Hammerheads, Benschoter tossed five no-hit innings en route to his second victory of the season. The Tecumseh, Mich. native did not allow a run, walked three hitters, and struck out six. He, RHP José Franco, and RHP Ryan Cardona combined on a three-hit shutout, as the Tortugas captured a 3-0 triumph.
Entering Tuesday’s road series opener against the Clearwater Threshers, Benschoter ranks fourth in the FSL in strikeouts (34). He is also fifth in batting average against (.165), WHIP (0.88), sixth in innings pitched (22.2), and seventh in opposing OPS (.507).
Benschoter also ranks among the league’s best when it comes to advanced statistics. The right-hander enters the new week third in the circuit in strikeouts-per-nine-innings (13.50), strikeout percentage (39.1%), strikeout-to-walk percentage (31.0%), and xFIP (2.42).
Benschoter is in his second professional season after being signed by the Cincinnati Reds as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State University on July 21, 2021.
Following the league-wide off day on Monday, the Tortugas will pack up for a six-game road trip against the Clearwater Threshers, the Florida State League affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, starting on Tuesday evening. Neither team has announced a probable starter for the series opener. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:15 p.m. leading up to the 6:30 p.m. first pitch from Bay Care Ballpark.
After the six-game road swing, the Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, May 17, to open up a series against the Dunedin Blue Jays, the Florida State League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The homestand begins with another Shell Yeah Cookout. The $15 add-on includes the full “Bases Loaded” menu during a 90-minute buffet with hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, baked beans, cookies, Pepsi products, and more. It will be a Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Radiology Associates Imaging. The Tortugas will don special pink-clad uniforms that will be auctioned off at the end of the season with all proceeds to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. It is also a Silver Sluggers Night by Conviva, featuring special team store and concession stand deals for members, plus more. The series opener features Taco Tuesday with options at the concession stands starting at just $3.
Season tickets, multi-game plans, group packages, and single-game tickets are currently available and can be purchased online at www.daytonatortugas.com or by calling the Tortugas’ Ticket Office at (386) 257-3172.
ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach, Fla. Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum, and many community events and initiatives of all sizes throughout the year.
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