Sports stats



NL Gary SouthShore Railcats

Former RailCat Yuki Matsumoto Returning to Club in 2010

May 3, 2010 - Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release


GARY, Ind. - The Gary SouthShore RailCats added a familiar name to their Spring Training catching competition Monday, agreeing to terms with third-year pro Yuki Matsumoto, the Japanese-born backstop who was voted the ‘Cats Most Inspirational Player following the 2008 season.

Matsumoto, 25, made his professional debut with the ‘Cats two seasons ago, playing in only 12 regular season games but earning the respect and admiration of his teammates as a hard worker and dedicated teammate. In his limited action, Matsumoto was effective at the plate, going 8-for-32 (.250), including three doubles. Matsumoto's best game came May 25 in Fargo when he drove in a career-high five runs to pace a RailCats win.

After being traded to the Golden League in late 2008, Matsumoto appeared in 11 games for the Calgary Vipers last summer, batting .278 (5-for-18) and scoring a pair of runs. This winter, however, Matsumoto found his offensive stride in the Arizona Winter League for the Yuma Scorpions, batting .333 with seven extra-base hits and 13 RBI in only 20 games.

The RailCats also on Monday announced the retirement of relief pitcher Kyle Heyne, who had been on the RailCats inactive list. A one-time closer at Ball State, Heyne was excellent in 33 games for the ‘Cats last summer, going 3-0 with a 2.98 ERA. In two professional seasons, Heyne fired 90.0 innings, picked up six wins and earned two saves.

Matsumoto's signing gives the RailCats three catchers under contract for the 2010 season, including the previously signed Hank Lanto and Matt Lenski. The RailCats now have 25 players in total under contract and expect at least 28 players in camp when the team opens Spring Training, Thursday, May 6 at U. S. Steel Yard.

RailCats single-game tickets are on sale now by calling 219.882.2255 or visiting www.railcatsbaseball.com. The ‘Cats regular season opener is Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m. against the Kansas City T-Bones, with the first 1,500 fans getting a free set of collectable coins courtesy Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. and the Post-Tribune.

Check out the Gary SouthShore Railcats Statistics



Northern League Stories from May 3, 2010


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



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central