Former Watson Chapel star Tink Hence is trying to show the Cardinal brass that he is ready to pitch in the shadow of the Gateway Arch. Friday night, he struck out eight and allowed one run on just one hit in 5 innings of work to lead Springfield to a 3-1 win over the Wind Surge at Hammons Field. Hence is now 2-0, and has lowered his era to 0.90 as Springfield is off to a 7-0 start, their best in franchise history. Hence has also been elevated to the top spot on the Cardinals’ Prospect Pipeline and is now ranked as a top 20 prospect in Minor League baseball. Hence will most likely pitch next Friday when the Cardinals travel to Amarillo to take on the Sod Poodles. On his normal rotation, he will be back in the Natural State May 10th-13th when Springfield plays in Springdale against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. If Hence remains in Double AA, local fans will be able to see him in North Little Rock again June 4th-9th.
