JETHAWKS NOTEBOOK: GOOD PLACEMENT MEANS BIG PENNANT RACE FOR 'HAWKS LANCASTER BATTLING BECAUSE OF DIVISION IT'S PLAYING IN.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

SAN JOSE - Whether or not the JetHawks make the playoffs, the fact they're even in a second-half pennant race is remarkable considering they had one of the worst records professional baseball this season.

However, one reason they're in such a good position with three weeks remaining in the season is geography. Entering Thursday's games, Lancaster (24-22) trailed first-place Lake Elsinore (25-22) by a half game in the Southern Division and was within 5 1/2 games of High Desert in the wild-card race, which is based on overall records.

The JetHawks would be in a different position in the Northern Division, in which they would be 6 1/2 games behind first-place Modesto in the second-half standings and 18 games behind Bakersfield in the wild-card race with 24 games remaining.

The strength of the California League this season has been in the North. Thus, even though San Jose is 55-61 overall and would lead Lancaster (47-69 overall) by eight games, the Giants aren't going anywhere. San Jose (18-28) is 12 1/2 games behind Modesto in the second-half standings and trails Bakersfield by 10 games in the wild-card race.

The JetHawks aren't complaining. Competing for a playoff berth is their reward for turning around their season.

``It makes you feel like you're working for something,'' JetHawks outfielder Josh Kroeger said.

At the same time, some believe the California League's system of determining wild-card berths should be overhauled so that teams aren't punished for being in the wrong division.

``I don't think it's right,'' San Jose pitcher Noah Lowry said. ``I think it would make it fairer if they drew it (the wild-card berths) overall, then it wouldn't just go by the divisions.''

If they played in the Southern Division, the Giants would have finished the first half tied with San Bernardino for first place and would lead the wild-card race by 3 1/2 games.

``It's disappointing for us, but there's really nothing we can do,'' Lowry said. ``You just have to try not to look at what the Southern Division is doing because it is frustrating.''

--Collegiate contributors: The JetHawks' parent club, the Arizona Diamondbacks, have had great success in recent years sending newly drafted college players directly to their advanced Class-A California League affiliates.

In 2000, Brad Cresse went to High Desert after he was drafted out of Louisiana State and hit 17 homers in 173 at-bats.

Last season, college draftees Jay Belflower and Brandon Medders bolstered the JetHawks' bullpen.

This season, the JetHawks have received an even bigger boost from the draft. Third baseman Brian Barden, a sixth-round selection from Oregon State, is batting .331 (56 for 169) with seven homers and 30 RBI. Catcher Chris Snyder, a second round pick from the University of Houston, is hitting .279 (39 for 140) with seven homers and 27 RBI. Pitcher Matt Henrie, drafted in the seventh round out of Clemson, has a 4.42 ERA in 18 1/3 innings over 11 relief appearances, but he had allowed just three runs over 16 2/3 innings through his first 10 appearances until allowing six runs on six hits in 1 2/3 innings in Tuesday night's 10-9 victory over San Jose.

Their contributions have extended beyond the impressive numbers, JetHawks manager Bill Plummer said.

``I think that Barden's and Snyder's and Henrie's makeups have been really good for our ballclub,'' he said. ``They came from winning programs and they have good mentalities, and it's really lifted the rest of our ballclub. They've fit in really well and you're starting to see that our club is getting closer.''

--White update: Pitcher Bill White suffered significant swelling and a bruise on his left (pitching) wrist after he was struck by a hard-hit bouncer on Tuesday night. He doubts he'll be able to make his next scheduled start on Sunday, but Plummer wants to wait until he throws a scheduled side outing on Friday before making a final decision.

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Lancaster third baseman Brian Barden has been one of the players drafted out of college who are doing well for the JetHawks. Barden was a sixth-round selection from Oregon State.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer