Colin McKee Joins Westerners Pitching Staff
May 3, 2015 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Danbury Westerners News Release
DANBURY, CT (May 3): The Danbury Westerners, the longest tenured team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, are proud to announce the signing of right-handed pitcher Colin McKee for the 2015 season. A native of Butler, Pennsylvania, McKee is currently a junior majoring in biology and pitching for the Mercyhurst University Lakers. The ace for the Lakers, McKee will bring successful starting experience to the Westerners.
After spending two years coming out of the bullpen, this year McKee has solidified himself as a premiere starting pitching for the Lakers. In eight starts (through May 3), the right-hander is 6-2 with a remarkable 2.36 ERA. Hitters struggle to make contact against McKee's electric arsenal of pitches as the right-hander has 70 strikeouts compared to just 18 walks. McKee's combination of control and power leave him with a WHIP of 1.02. The right-hander has managed to avoid giving up the long ball this season as he has given up only three in his 49.2 innings of work.
McKee's best game of the season occurred on opening day for the Lakers on March 7th when the Mercyhurst University Lakers faced off against the Lock Haven Eagles in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. McKee went the distance, pitching all seven innings allowing no earned runs and only one hit. Throughout the one-hit shutout, the right-hander struck out nine batters while only walking three. McKee was able to keep the ball in the air, producing eight fly-outs, while avoiding giving up any home runs. In the end, the Lakers beat the Eagles 9-1 for their first win of the season.
In his sophomore season, McKee settled into a role out of the bullpen as the closer of the Lakers. The right-hander went 0-1 with an impressive 3.54 ERA last season. Demonstrating control immediately for the Lakers, McKee struck out 27 batters while walking only eight on his way to a team-high five saves. Showing a penchant for growing and progress, McKee was able to lower his ERA from 10.38 on March 22 to 3.54 by the end of the season. In league play, the right-hander stepped up his game as he struck out 17 batters in 12 innings of work.
Paul Schaffer, Danbury Westerners President, said, "Colin has had a terrific season for Mercyhurst thus far this season, propelling the team to a 34-8 record as their ace. I look forward to seeing Colin pitch for us this summer, where hopefully he can continue to build upon his successes."
Upcoming Events
The Danbury Westerners are once again seeking host families for the 2015 season. Every summer college athletes come to Danbury to play for the Danbury Westerners. Our Host Family program is the foundation of our team's success both on and off the field. Living with a local family makes their stay in Danbury a home away from home and improves the quality of their experience. To learn more about the Danbury Westerners Host Family program, please contact Shelley Pitser at JSPitser@msn.com.
The Danbury Westerners are proud to announce that they will be having their 21st Annual Celebrity Breakfast on June 5th at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury, CT. The Annual Celebrity Breakfast welcomes the 2015 Danbury Westerners to the greater Western Connecticut community. In addition, the Westerners are thrilled to announce that former All Star and New York Mets World Series Champion Bud Harrelson will be the keynote speaker. Tables of ten are $300; for reservations please contact Paul Schaffer at paul@danburywesterners.com.
Once again the Danbury Westerners are teaming up with 21st Century Sports for its summer baseball camp program. The camps are offered from July 6-9, July 13-16 and July 20-23. To register please visit http://21csonline.com/.
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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from May 3, 2015
- Colin McKee Joins Westerners Pitching Staff - Danbury Westerners
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