Pair of Backstops Ready to Lead Dogs' Staff
Published on April 30, 2012 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Fayetteville SwampDogs News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, NC "" The Fayetteville SwampDogs will welcome a dynamic catching duo to the Swamp in 2012, with Towson's Andrew Parker and Sonoma State's Joel Thys joining the club for the upcoming season.
Parker has been a pillar for the Tigers during his tenure at the school. As a sophomore in 2011, he was named second team All-Colonial-Athletic Association, and was named to the preseason All-CAA team in 2012. He was also rated the best defensive catcher in the conference in a preseason coaches' poll. The 6-0, 218-pound junior from Sykesville, MD has clubbed a team-leading 5 home runs in 2012, to go along with his team-best 26 runs driven in. The defensive expert has accumulated a near-perfect .996 fielding percentage as well.
Thys transferred to Sonoma State from Ohlone Junior College in 2011, where his club finished as the state runner-up. The 6-2 junior was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 47th round after last season, but he elected to remain in school and joined the Seawolves' club instead. That decision has proven to be a smart one, as he is second on the team with a .321 average, making 27 starts in 34 games played. He has also ripped 10 extra base hits, including two triples to showcase his athleticism.
"Joel and Andrew are both excellent defensive catchers with a ton of experience handling a pitching staff," said head coach Darrell Handelsman. "They are also both tremendous athletes who can swing the bat and together they give us a great combination of a left handed and right handed hitting duo. We are looking forward to having both of these guys here this summer."
The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a member of the Coastal Plain League, entering their 12th season in the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 16th season in 2012, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives college players a chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had more than 930 alums drafted and 49 alums "" including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their major league debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via twitter (at cpleague).
Coastal Plain League Stories from April 30, 2012
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