STEEPLECATS SIGNINGS
NORTH ADAMS, MA – The North Adams SteepleCats of the 12-team
New England Collegiate Baseball League announce the signings
of Matt Sommo, a right-handed pitcher from the University of
New Haven and Robby Graham, an outfielder from the
University of Memphis.
Sommo has been the ace of a New Haven pitching staff that
recently helped the Chargers lock down the #2 seed in the
forthcoming East Coast Conference Tournament. He has
appeared in 12 games (10 starts) and is 5-4 with a 3.99 ERA
and has one shutout to his credit. The sophomore garnered
ECC Pitcher of the Week honors for the week of April 14, and
overall has tossed 70 innings, striking out 60, while
allowing opponents just a .244 average against. Stepping in
right away as a freshman last season, Sommo was second on
New Haven in innings pitched with 65.2 and in 15 appearances
(10 starts) had a fantastic 56-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
“Fans should plan to see a lot of Sommo on the mound as we
expect him to be in the starting rotation throughout the
season. He’s proven for the past two seasons that he can
lead a pitching staff. He leads all starting pitchers on his
team in every major statistical category and should excel
getting batters out,” said McGrath.
An athletic and talented player, Robby Graham comes to the
SteepleCats after already cracking the University of Memphis
starting lineup as a freshman. In 43 games for the Tigers
this season, Graham is hitting .255 with a pair of homers
and 19 RBI. Throughout the majority of the season, Graham
was thrust batting fifth in the line-up and contributing to
the offensive production for the defending Conference USA
champions.
“Memphis was very excited to land a recruit of Robby’s
talent. He received numerous major division offers,
including from the SEC, but decided to stay at home in
Memphis following their Conference USA championship last
season. As they had hoped, Robby became a mainstay in their
line-up as a true freshman. He’s had some success, but is
also still making adjustments. We have anticipat that he’ll
be a major contributor in the middle of our line-up each
night,” said McGrath.
The SteepleCats will open their 2008 campaign with a three
game homestand, starting on June 6th with a date against the
Torrington Twisters. June 7th sees the Newport Gulls come to
Joe Wolfe Field with the weekend concluding against the
Manchester Silkworms on June 8th. All three games have a
first pitch slated for 7 p.m. with the gates opening at 6
p.m. For more information, visit www.steeplecats.com
Note: Nick Shaw from Barry University received the team’s
MVP honor at the season ending awards banquet. Shaw finished
his sophomore season batting .398 with a team leading 63
runs and 53 walks and .528 on-base percentage as well as
being 12 of 17 in successful stolen bases. “Although his
college offensive numbers are very impressive, Nick’s
strength is his defense. I think a lot of fans will remember
the 5’ 3” Chris Cates as an exceptional infielder, but I’ve
been told that Nick is just as good, but not quite as flashy
as Chris was.”
In case you haven't purchased your season ticket for the
upcoming season, please visit one of the 7 local businesses
listed here to purchase your full season's ticket or 10-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; Clarksburg:
Cross Road 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.
