Blue Sox Add Local Standouts Rakus, Banas
March 17, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Valley Blue Sox News Release
HOLYOKE, Mass.-The Blue Sox have placed two familiar faces on the roster from Stetson today, returning sophomores closer Ben Rakus and adding Hadley native left-hander Garrison Banas as well, Assistant General Manager Wes LaValley announced.
Rakus, from nearby West Suffield, Connecticut, pitched for the Blue Sox last year until his season was ended by a line drive off the hand in the 11th inning of a game at North Adams. Prior to that, he had been the team's primary closer, pitching in 15 games and throwing 18.2 innings while allowing just two earned runs and fanning 17, compiling a 4-2 record in the process with three saves.
"Rakus was great for us last year," said LaValley, adding "He's a very durable closer and has a great makeup; he would always give it his all and we're happy to have him back."
This season at Stetson, Rakus has thrown 13.1 innings, and has a 1-1 record while holding opponents to a .208 average.
Banas, a graduate of Hopkins Academy, was a four-time first-team all-Massachusetts selection before spending a post-grad year at Salisbury, where he helped lead them to a Western New England Prep League championship.
"Banas is a left handed standout that had a great career at Hopkins Academy and Salisbury," said LaValley. "His breaking ball is solid and he has a great pick-off move that's similar to [Andy] Pettitte."
This season, Banas has seen action in four games, throwing two innings of scoreless relief in total while striking out two batters. His freshman year saw him pitch in eleven games, including two 1.1 inning performances against Florida State and Kennesaw State where he did not surrender a run.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from March 17, 2014
- Blue Sox Add Local Standouts Rakus, Banas - Valley Blue Sox
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