Charleston second baseman Justin Snyder has been on a hot streak for the RiverDogs lately, including a 3-for-3 performance Friday night.

Don't say that Torre Tyson didn't warn us.

The Charleston RiverDogs manager told reporters before the season that he was given a potent batting lineup that could put runs on the board in a hurry. He also admonished fans that they shouldn't leave Riley Park early even if the RiverDogs were down by five runs late in the game. Thursday night's 7-6 victory over the Rome Braves was the earliest proof of that. Charleston scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth to take its first lead of the game.

You have to wonder if even Tyson could expect the fireworks show his team has displayed in its first 10 days. As of Sunday's game, the RiverDogs are hitting a ridiculous .318 as a team and average 6.45 runs per game. Nobody else in the league was above .270, and the next best run average belongs to Columbus at 5.9.

'My favorite part about making the lineup out is we have, by far, the best seven through nine hitters in the league,' Tyson said. 'Austin Krum (hitting .296) and Carmen Angelini (.242) would be hitting one-two for 10 other clubs.'

Of the 10 RiverDogs who have played in at least six games, eight are hitting .290 or better.

With so many strong hitters in the order, the players are feeling loose when it's their turn.

'With the hitters we have and the work we put in and all the fun we have, it's so much easier,' outfielder Dave Williams said. 'We've got guys who can hit it out of the park any time, anywhere. The pressure doesn't fall on you to get the big hit. We have a lot of good ballplayers here.'

Tyson's enjoying the wealth of talent while he's got it.

'I've got to give credit to the scouts who drafted these guys,' he said. 'I've never seen a group of young players like this. There are guys on the bench who are hitting .400. It's a good problem to have.

'What's being overlooked is we've got some stud pitchers. So maybe if this ever cools off, we can win some 2-1 games.'

Bobblehead campaign

The RiverDogs are holding two Bobblection's this season. Most people are aware of the one to be held later in the season in conjunction with the national presidential election.

Most of the teams in the Goldklang ownership group will have bobblehead dolls of the two presidential candidates. Fans will choose which one they want when they arrive at the ballpark and the first candidate that runs out of dolls will be declared the winner.

Flying under the radar is another bobblehead election. Fans can go online or cast a vote at the field to determine which Riley Park personality should be immortalized as a bobblehead.

The candidates are public address announcer Ken Carrington, popular employees Ken the Beer Man and Nate 'The G-Man' Crowe, and longtime fans William Washington and Pat Reddick.

The early lead has gone to Reddick, recognizable for his baseball/golf club walking stick and known as a walking baseball historian.

Fans can vote every day through May 2 and the winner will have his bobblehead given away at the Aug. 23 game.

Copyright © 1997 - 2007 the Evening Post Publishing Co.