Dutchmen Sign Late Inning ArmsBy: Ryan Murphy Every season, the Albany Dutchmen strive to sign pitchers with experience in late game situations. In the high pressure action of the PGCBL, pitchers that can immediately step in and pitch with the game on the line are invaluable. This season, the Dutchmen have signed three such pitchers that will fill bullpen roles for the team- Nathan Harris (Louisiana Tech), Joel Hake (Youngstown State), and Jeff Rivera (Cumberlands). Nathan Harris is the second signee on the 2016 roster to hail from San Antonio, Texas, joining Troy Montemayor (Baylor). Harris is in his first season with the Bulldogs after two seasons at Hill College in Texas. In his junior campaign, Harris has a 3.62 ERA with a 2-2 record. He has been efficient on the mound for Louisiana Tech, striking out 27 hitters and walking just nine over 27.1 innings. During his time at Hill College, Harris went 8-4 with four saves in 31 total appearances. He was also awarded an Exemplary Academic Achievement honor by the NJCAA, given to the best junior college student-athletes in the country. Harris was a first team all-district selection in high school at Churchill High School, and posted a 1.70 ERA during his prep career. Joining the Dutchmen pitching staff as a freshman, Joel Hake is a Youngstown, Ohio native playing for his hometown team. In his first season, Hake has been the best relief pitcher for the Penguins, appearing 14 times for a total of 22.1 innings. In those innings, Hake has worked a 2.42 ERA and has not allowed an earned run in ten of his outings. His best outing thus far came on March 22, when the freshman tossed 3.1 scoreless innings in an 8-5 victory over Ohio. He has shown great control for Youngstown State, as he has not allowed a walk in 11 innings. Hake played his high school baseball at Ursuline High School, and helped the Irish to four district championships. He was an All-Area selection, and struck out 85 hitters as a senior. Rounding out the group of relief pitchers is Jeff Rivera, a junior from the University of the Cumberlands. Rivera, a native of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, has served as Cumberlands' closer this season. The righty has five saves and two wins, appearing in 15 games for the 25-18 Patriots. He has shown electric but efficient stuff, striking out 35 hitters in 25.1 innings, with just nine walks. He was also an effective reliever in 2015, posting a 2.12 ERA in 34 innings on the mound. In 2015, he strick out 28 hitters, and posted a 3-1 record. Before matriculating to Cumberlands, Rivera played junior college baseball at Connors State College in Oklahoma. The Dutchmen are excited to welcome these three players to the Dutchmen pitching staff for the 2016 season. |
Browse by Month »
March 2024 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 January 2022 July 2021 June 2021 March 2021 May 2020 March 2020 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 February 2017 January 2017 November 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 October 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 |