Blue Sox Sign Miami's Hammond, Kentucky's Strecker
March 27, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Valley Blue Sox News Release
HOLYOKE, Mass.-The Blue Sox have put two more arms on the list of pitchers today, picking up freshman right-hander Cooper Hammond from the University of Miami and sophomore right-hander Zach Strecker from Kentucky, Assistant General Manager Wes LaValley announced today.
Hammond, teammates with fellow Blue Sox signees Derik Beauprez, Ricky Eusebio, and Willie Abreu, was 9-0 with a 0.13 ERA in his senior year at Venice Senior High School in his hometown of Venice, Fla. So far this season for the Hurricanes, Hammond is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 12 innings pitched with 16 strikeouts, holding opponents to a .255 average.
"He's had a really successful high school career down in Florida, and he's really interesting because he's a submariner." LaValley said. "It's always good to have someone like that down in the bullpen, someone who can be a spot starter and provide long relief. His strikeout ratio is really impressive, and he's had similar numbers from high school."
Strecker, a teammate of 2013 Blue Sox alumnus Matt Reida, has made eight appearances for the Wildcats, and in 6.1 innings has allowed just two runs while fanning 11 batters. Last season, he went 1-1 with 16 appearances and in 15.1 innings struck out 15 while allowing just 15 hits and four earned runs.
"Strecker is a big, physical right-hander who did really well in the Prospect League and has had a really good start so far for Kentucky," LaValley commented. "He's very durable and consistent, with every start in the Prospect League going at least six innings thanks to his solid control of the strike zone. With our history with Kentucky players we're excited to have him."
Opening day for the Blue Sox is Thursday June 5 against the Vermont Mountaineers. For more information about tickets, call 413-533-1100 or e-mail tickets@valleybluesox.com.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from March 27, 2014
- Blue Sox Sign Miami's Hammond, Kentucky's Strecker - Valley Blue Sox
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.
