Friesen gets his feet wet with Fish

It was a moment Anthony Friesen of Somerset will not forget.

The rookie southpaw who got a surprise tryout opportunity from the Winnipeg Goldeyes took the mound for the Fish in the eighth inning Friday against a team of his friends playing for the University of Winnipeg Wesmen.

Friesen, 22, gave up the only hit the Wesmen got on the night (to Jeremy Shebaylo), struck out one and hit a batter as the Goldeyes trounced the Wesmen 14-0 before a crowd of 1,097 at Shaw Park.

"I've played with a bunch (of Wesmen) and against a bunch. Bryan Evans (pitcher) and I are from the same hometown and I coached and played with him," said Friesen, who played the past two seasons at Minot State. "It's been a great experience."

Until the Goldeyes called, he was working at the family business -- Somerset Food Bar and Lounge, working out during the week and planning to play some senior ball this summer.

-- There are 26 players in camp but Forney said he may take as few as 22 when the team leaves this afternoon for a 17-day road trip.

"I'm probably going to let a few people go (today) before we head out on the road," Forney said.

The Goldeyes will play a pair of exhibition games in St. Paul on Sunday and Monday followed by a final exhibition game Tuesday in Kansas City. From there it's about an eight-hour bus ride to Amarillo, Texas, where the Goldeyes will open the season on May 18.

-- Prest

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 12, 2012 C5