Former SRU standout Phil Butch joins Sliders

Published on June 5, 2007 under Frontier League (FL)
Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti News Release


Slippery Rock, PA -The Slippery Rock Sliders professional baseball team, presented by Dollar Bank, has announced the signing of former Slippery Rock University infielder Phil Butch to a contract. Butch will join the Sliders as they begin a six-game road trip in Washington on Tuesday.

Butch was named second team PSAC-West Division this spring for The Rock, hitting .328 with 21 stolen bases in 52 games. He was a first team selection in 2006 when he hit .379 with 12 doubles and eight triples while stealing 34 bases. Butch was named an All-Star in the New York Collegiate Baseball League last summer playing for the Geneese Valley Riverbats.

The Sliders also resigned catcher Mike Darrah. Darrah was signed for training camp after attending an open workout in early May and was one of the final players cut prior to the start of the regular season. In 40 games for West Liberty State University this spring, Darrah hit .368 with 16 doubles, six home runs, and 36 RBI, leading the Hilltoppers in each category. In three seasons at West Liberty, Darrah posted a .356 career batting average.

"Phil was a catalyst for the SRU program over the past four years," commented Sliders' director of baseball operations/Slippery Rock University head baseball coach Jeff Messer. "Darrah is a versatile player who was one of the top hitters in the North Atlantic Region the past several years."

To make room for Butch and Darrah on the active roster, the Sliders released catcher Travis Chapman and third baseman Michael Richardson. The team also transferred RHP Ryan Herbort from the injured list to the retired list.

The Slippery Rock Sliders travel to Washington and Florence this week before returning home to Jack Critchfield Park on Monday, June 11 for a two-game homestand against the Chillicothe Paints.

Additional information about Slippery Rock Professional Baseball can be found at www.slipperyrocksliders.com or by contacting the team at 724-738-4903.

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