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Pair Of Tigers To Pitch In North Adams This SummerBy Rick Zmudzien
11:29AM / Monday, May 04, 2009
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The North Adams SteepleCats of the 12-team New England Collegiate Baseball League have signed left handed pitcher Brach Davis and right handed pitcher Ryan Fraser, teammates at the University of Memphis, for the upcoming 2009 season.
Davis is originally from Southaven, Miss., and is currently in his junior season at Memphis. Davis was elected team co-captain this past fall by his teammates. So far this season, Davis is 1-5 with an ERA of 5.79 through 46.2 innings of work.
After struggling with injuries his first two seasons at Memphis, Davis put together a solid sophomore campaign in 2008. After starting the season in the bullpen, Davis earned a spot in the Tigers’ starting rotation and started 10 games, second most on the team. His record for the year was 2-4, with an ERA of 6.36 over 52 innings pitched, second most on the team as are his 41 strikeouts.
In the summer of 2008, Davis pitched for the Woodstock River Bandits of Valley League Baseball. For the River Bandits, Davis appeared in nine games and started a team-high eight games. He went 3-3, with an ERA of 3.50 over a team-high 43.2 innings pitched. Davis also led the River Bandits with 51 strikeouts and held opponents to a paltry .205 batting average.
“Davis had a very good sophomore season and even better summer. He’s a feisty competitor who won’t back down from anyone on the mound,” said McGrath.
Fraser, who is originally from Cleveland, Tenn., is also in his junior season at Memphis. Drafted out of high school in the 48th round by the Tampa Bay Rays, he opted to attend Gulf Coast Community College. After graduating in 2008, he signed with Memphis. So far this season Fraser has appeared in nine games, including eight starts – third most on the team. He currently has a record of 3-4, with an ERA of 6.64, through 40.2 innings of work.
Prior to attending Memphis, Fraser pitched two years of junior college baseball at Gulf Coast Community College. There, he posted a record of 11-10 with a 5.21 ERA. He struck out 111 batters in 138.2 innings of work.
“Ryan was a big recruit for Memphis with a power arm, which was illustrated by having him join Brach in the weekend rotation immediately. Although he’s now pitching out of the bullpen, we anticipate he’ll have a very successful summer pitching in the NECBL,” said McGrath.
Opening Day is right around the corner. The SteepleCats will open up their season on Friday, June 5, in New Hampshire to take on the Keene Swamp Bats. The SteepleCats play their home opener on Saturday, June 6 against the Danbury Westerners. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Joe Wolfe Field, and the gates will open at 6:00 p.m. For more information on the roster, schedule and other news, please visit www.steeplecats.com.
In case you haven't purchased your season ticket for the upcoming season, please visit one of these local businesses listed here to purchase your full season ticket or ten-pack ticket. The Full Season Family Plan is $100; Full Season Individual Plan is $70; Ten-Pack Family Plan is $60; and the Ten-Pack Individual Plan is $45. Tickets are sold at all of the following locations: Adams: Val's Variety; North Adams: Man's World and Moulton's General Store; Stamford, VT: Billmont's Country Store, and in Williamstown at Angelina's Submarine Shop and St. Pierre's Barber Shop. |
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