[naviga:h3]Patten improving with GCL Pirates[/naviga:h3]

After a slow start, Butler graduate Nick Patten has caught fire with the Gulf Coast League Pirates.

Patten, a first baseman drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in June, has five hits in his past nine at-bats with the GCL Pirates. He had two hits and four RBI against Toronto’s Rookie League team, three hits, two RBI and two runs scored against Detroit’s.

Patten is hitting .235 with a homer and six RBI in 10 games with the GCL Pirates.

[naviga:h3]SRU names Wilhelm interim soccer coach[/naviga:h3]

SLIPPERY ROCK — Former Slippery Rock University assistant coach Kevin Wilhelm has been named interim head coach of the Rock’s men’s soccer team.

He replaces Steve Small, who resigned from SRU after two seasons.

Wilhelm has been the Director of Coaching for the Northern Steel Select Soccer Club in Pittsburgh dating back to 2006. He has over 22 years of coaching experience at the highest youth levels in the region as well as NCAA Division II and III.