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Wednesday, January 27, 2010 Crushers Build Roster with Returning Players |
Avon, OH - The Lake Erie Crushers are pleased to announce the return of three players from last season’s Frontier League Championship team. Former rookies, first baseman Eddie Tisdale, outfielder Wayne Bond and catcher Nick Maragas will all report to Avon in May for their sophomore seasons with the Crushers.
“We have high expectations for this group of players,” said field manager John Massarelli. “They had solid rookie seasons and played a large role in helping our team to a championship. The bar has been set high for them. They are no longer rookies, but experienced players and we expect big things out of them.”
Tisdale joined the Crushers last June after a successful collegiate career at Winthrop University. In his senior season, he hit .393 with 53 RBI and ten home runs. The first baseman played 64 games in the Crushers pinstripes. He was fifth on the team in hitting with a batting average of .292. He also recorded 37 runs scored, 62 hits, ten doubles, four homeruns and 37 RBI. Tisdale’s successful season was recognized by Baseball America this past fall. The rookie was one of only seven Frontier League players to make the annual “Top 20 Prospect” list of all independent league players.
Bond will return to outfield for the Crushers in 2010. He played 86 games for the Crushers last season, racking up 49 runs scored, 74 hits, 12 doubles, three triples, seven homeruns and 52 RBI. He graduated from Ball State University in 2008, where in his senior season he hit .327 in 52 games with 52 runs scored. He led his team in homeruns (14), RBI (55), and hits (69).
This past season, Maragas split the catching duties with Brad Griffiths. Maragas made his professional debut in the Crushers’ inaugural season opener against the Washington Wild Things, hitting a home run in his first at bat. He finished the season batting .167 with 12 runs, 12 hits, three doubles and seven RBI. Maragas played his senior year of collegiate baseball at University of Louisiana – Monroe.
In other transactions this week, the Crushers received outfielder Matt Sutton from the Washington Wild Things in a trade for future considerations. Sutton played three seasons for Washington, including one season under Crushers field manager John Massarelli.
The Lake Erie Crushers, the 2009 Frontier League Champions, play ball at All Pro Freight Stadium, a 5,000 capacity stadium located in Avon, OH. Beginning in 2010, All Pro Freight Stadium will also be home to the Cleveland State University baseball team. The Frontier League is an independent baseball league with 12 teams operating throughout the Midwest. Season tickets for the 2010 season are on sale now! For more information on tickets, promotions and team news, visit the team website at www.LakeErieCrushers.com or call 440-934-3636.