Courtesy: Phil Ellsworth

OMAHA, Neb. --- With 15 games remaining, the Omaha Royals (Kansas City Royals Triple-A affiliate) needed an emergency arm in the bullpen so they turned to California Baptist University reliever Aaron Hartsock, who made his Triple-A debut Monday night.

Hartsock’s Triple-A appearance is believed to be the first such appearance for a CBU baseball alum.

Hartsock threw one inning of relief, giving up three hits but striking out two in what will likely be his only appearance since Omaha just needed an extra relief pitcher for one night. He will likely be sent back down to Double-A where he has spent the majority of this season. He is 2-1 with a 3.07 ERA and five saves over 23 appearances with the Northwest Arkansas Travelers.

The 2006 Golden State Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year is among the Kansas City Royals’ minor league leaders this season in saves (16) and appearances (38). He began the season in Advanced Class-A before being promoted to the Double-A.

Hartsock was the 23rd round selection in the 2006 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

In addition to Hartsock’s success, Julian Arballo has made 18 appearances and has 11 saves and a 2.78 ERA for the Gulf Coast Yankees in the Rookie Gulf Coast League. In 22.2 innings, Arballo, who pitched at CBU in 2008 and 2009, has 22 strikeouts.

Former All-GSAC hurler Ross Stout (2005-06) is again dominating the Independent Frontier League. The 2008 Frontier League Championship Series MVP is currently 11-4 with a 2.74 ERA for the Windy City Thunderbolts. In a league-best 122 innings, he has a league-leading 119 strikeouts. The defending league champion Thunderbolts are 49-35 and have a one-half game lead in the West Division with 12 games remaining.

Along with Stout, Brandon Peters (2007-08) is also in the Frontier League, playing with the Gateway Grizzlies. In 70 games, Peters is fourth on the team hitting .276 with 50 runs, 13 doubles, 40 RBIs and eight home runs.

Aaron Seuss (2005-07) is hitting .200 with two home runs and nine RBIs for the Potomac Nationals in the Carolina League. Potomac is just 2.5 games behind Wilmington for the Northern Division lead.