RailCats Announce Signings of Three Key Returnees
February 19, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
The Gary Southshore RailCats' defense of their American Association title will be fortified by the return of three key performers from the 2013 championship team, manager Greg Tagert announced on Tuesday.
Splitting time behind the plate again in 2014 will be catchers Craig Maddox and Ryan Babineau. Tagert also announced the re-signing of starting pitcher Morgan Coombs, a product of West Terre Haute and Ball State University.
Maddox, returning for his fourth season on the Southshore, was a key contributor to the RailCats title run last September, hitting .429 in the post-season. In 68 games in 2013, the Locust Grove, Georgia native hit for a .261 average with five home runs and 29 RBI.
Entering his third season with the RailCats following a three-year stint in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system, Babineau appeared in 61 games in 2013, batting .251 along with three homers and 24 RBI. The former UCLA star batted .313 in six post-season games last season.
Coombs dazzled during the 2013 playoffs, posting a 2-0 record and 1.25 ERA in 14 1/3 innings. He blanked Fargo-Moorhead over seven innings in Game 3 of the opening round while striking out eight Redhawks in the 3-0 victory. The 25-year-old right hander posted a 6-3 record with a 4.95 ERA over 16 starts in 2013, his second season with the RailCats.
"With the retirements of several key players; the signings of Craig, Ryan, and "Big-Game Mo" is great news for all RailCats fans and especially for the manager." said Tagert. "These 3 individuals represent everything good about our organization on and off the field. Not only for their past contributions, but also for the leadership they will provide to our club in 2014."
Opening Day at the U.S. Steel Yard is Thursday, May 22, 2014 vs. last season's championship series opponent the Wichita Wingnuts at 7:10 p.m. The evening will feature a pre-game championship ring ceremony on-field and will be followed by Post-Game Fireworks presented by Fifth Third Bank. 2014 Season Ticket, Mini-Plan and Group Outing information is available by contacting the RailCats offices at (219)882-2255 or visiting www.railcatsbaseball.com.
• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...
American Association Stories from February 19, 2014
- X's Swap Pitchers with Amarillo Sox - Sioux City Explorers
- 2014 All-Star Celebration Events Announced - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RailCats Announce Signings of Three Key Returnees - Gary SouthShore Railcats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Gary SouthShore Railcats Stories
- RailCats End 2023 on a High Note, Defeat Milkmen
- Cardiac 'Cats Catch Milkmen Late in Back-And-Forth Thriller
- RailCats Powerless to Stop Red-Hot Milkmen Offense
- Middle-Inning Deficit Proves Too Much to Overcome in Series Opener
- Dogs Score Big Early, Take Down RailCats in Finale
