Kevin T. Connor, The Examiner
2007-07-26 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

BALTIMORE -

After a forgettable beginning, Joe Nowicki’s season with the Aberdeen IronBirds is becoming memorable.

The outfielder hit just .219 and drove-in just five runs in the first 12 games, as the 24-year-old was clearly struggling in his second season as a professional. However, he has recovered to make an impressive turnaround. In the past 14 games, Nowicki is hitting .414 and has plated 15 runs as the IronBirds have improved to 15-17.

“He struggled when we started,” said Aberdeen manager and former Orioles’ All-Star Andy Etchebarren. “I don’t know what he has been hitting the last few weeks, but he has been pretty good.”

Etchebarren isn’t the only one in the organization who has noticed Nowicki’s increased production.

“He has come a long way real fast in the last 60 days,” said David Stockstill, the Orioles assistant general manager and director of minor league operations. “He is a hard worker and is starting to swing the bat with some authority.”

Etchebarren said he expected Nowicki to rebound from a slow start because he’s at least a year older than most of his teammates.

“He has been staying on the ball,” Etchebarren said. “He is not pulling his head out and he is hitting the ball hard consistently. If he keeps playing good, you never know what is going to happen.”

Nowicki entered last night’s game against the State College Spikes hitting .306 with 20 RBI and 13 runs scored.

“The big thing is proving that I can do it and it is a lot easier right now knowing that I can,” Nowicki said.

Defensively, he has been solid in left field — using his speed to cover Aberdeen’s gigantic outfield.

Now, Nowicki is focused on trying to lead Aberdeen, which has lost three of its past four games, into playoff contention.

“We are all hitting well and the pitching is good,” Nowicki said. “We are in mid-stride and it is fun to play right now.”