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Pride signs second Japanese pitcher, Hideki Nagasaka

January 30, 2007 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
American Defenders of New Hampshire News Release

(NASHUA, NH, January 30, 2007) The Nashua Pride announced today that the club has signed its second Japanese pitcher, Hideki Nagasaka. He joins compatriot Akira Okamoto, A-OK, in the Pride's starting rotation for 2007. The club also announced today the trade of SS James Lofton to Coastal Bend of the American Association for OF Matt Creighton.

Nagasaka, known as "Little Hideki" to his fandom, will look to build off an excellent 2006 season in the Golden Baseball League where he went 5-3, 4.15 ERA, 46 strikeouts, 56.1 IP in eight games started for the Chico Outlaws. In four seasons of minor league baseball, he has a career 22-19 record, 4.12 ERA in 328 IP and 311 SO. In college, the right-handed pitcher, performed brilliantly and led Tokai University in Japan to the National Championship in 1998. Little Hideki shares his thoughts on life and baseball on his own website at www.littlehideki.com.

Lofton leaves the Pride after hitting .253 with 71 hits, 5 HR and 33 RBI in 74 games during the 2006 season. The righty shortstop has a career .267 average in the minors with 196 2B, 55 HR, 482 RBI in 1,173 games played. The Los Angeles, CA native was originally selected in the 13th round of the 1993 draft by the Cincinnati Reds and, in 2001 he played in 8 games for the Boston Red Sox where he it .192, with 5 hits, 1 RBI in 8 games.

Creighton joins the Pride after both his brothers Jack and Tom played for Nashua last season. Matt looks to build off a solid 2006, where he hit .258 with 85 hits, 7 HR and 44 RBI for Coastal Bend. The righty Bakersfield, CA native has played 5 seasons professionally with a career .274 average with 343 hits, 34 HR, 180 RBI in 400 games played.

The Nashua Pride, entering its tenth anniversary season, provides a fun, affordable, community-based and fan-friendly source of sports entertainment. The Pride is participating in its second year of play in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball. Only season ticket holders can guarantee seats for the club's the home opener, to be held Thursday, May 24 versus the North Shore Spirit, at Historic Holman Stadium.

For more information call 603-883-BALL (2255), or visit www.nashuapride.com.

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Canadian American League Stories from January 30, 2007

Pride signs second Japanese pitcher, Hideki Nagasaka - American Defenders of New Hampshire

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