Pioneers Add Talented Freshman
April 23, 2015 - Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
Elmira, NY - The Elmira Pioneers are proud to announce the addition of two talented freshman infielders for the upcoming 2015 season. UC San Diego infielder Tyler Plantier and Penn State catcher Nick Graham will call Historic Dunn Field home this summer. Plantier and Graham have both had successful starts to their collegiate careers and will be looking to transition that level of play into the summer months.
Plantier, who hails from Poway, CA will be the third member of his family to call Dunn Field home this summer. His father Phil played for the Pioneers in 1987 after being drafted in the 11th round by the Boston Red Sox. Tyler's brother Ryan played for the Pioneers in 2013 and was the only player to appear in all 47 games batting .265 with three home runs and 21 RBI's. Plantier attended Del Norte High School where he earned All-Valley League First Team honors as a senior. He hit .407 with 14 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 30 RBI's.
Pioneers Head Coach Matt Burch said of Plantier, "We are excited to have another Plantier join the Elmira Pioneers. Tyler is already showing signs this spring of being an offensive threat. Tyler will be a versatile player at both corner infield positions. It is unique that his father (Phil), brother (Ryan), and now himself will all be able to tell of their time as Elmira Pioneers".
Graham, who hails from Chambersburg, PA is coming back from missing his senior year of high school due to injury. Nick was a four-year letter winner as a catcher at Chambersburg Area High School. His junior year, Graham hit .325 and threw out 60 percent of would be base stealers from behind the plate. During his high school career he was named an Under Armour All-American (2012) and Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American (2011).
Pioneers Head Coach Matt Burch said of Graham, "Nick is playing a lot for Penn State this spring. He is a solid defender and is heading to Elmira this summer to work offensively in an effort to become an elite Big 10 catcher in the years to come".
The Pioneers kick off the 2015 season on the road, Tuesday, June 2nd against the Albany Dutchmen. The Pioneers have a lot of fun and exciting promotions planned for this summer at Historic Dunn Field. Opening weekend at Historic Dunn Field is slated for Friday, June 5th against the Adirondack Trail Blazers and Saturday, June 6th against the Newark Pilots; first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. both nights. There will be a HUGE post game fireworks display to follow both games as well. Stay up-to-date will all of the latest team news and player signings via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League Stories from April 23, 2015
- Pioneers Add Talented Freshman - Elmira Pioneers
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