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Lumberjacks Open Season Tonight

May 27, 2004 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Bangor Lumberjacks News Release


Bangor, ME- The Bangor Lumberjacks open the 2004 Northeast League season tonight in New Jersey against the Jackals, as the club begins it 92 game trek. 24 players made the club through spring training.

When the first pitch in the 2004 season is thrown by a Lumberjack tonight in New Jersey, it will be done by right-hander Adam Thomas. At, 6-4, 190 pounds, Thomas is an imposing pitcher on the mound. For the Amarillo (TX) Dillas last season, he went 7-4 with a 2.62 ERA, good for sixth in the Central League. Thomas completed three of his sixteen starts, and struck out 85 in 106.1 innings, while issuing just 27 free passes. Originally selected in the 47th round of the 1999 draft by the Anaheim Angels, the Virginia Beach native reached Single-A Rancho Cucamonga at the tail end of the 2002 season, before being released. He pitched for the Pennsylvania Road Warriors, of the Atlantic League, in 2003 before joining the Dillas in May.

The Lumberjacks looked to be stacked from the top of the lineup to the bottom with an outfield of Derry Hammond, who blasted 20 home runs last season, Jake Whitesides, who finished 10th in the Frontier League in batting, and Jose Garcia, a former Dodgers farmhand who is a line drive hitter.

In the infield, veteran incumbent catcher Brad Hargreaves will call the pitches, while Donnie Ross, last year's team leader in home runs (13) and second in RBI (48) returns. Up the middle, the Lumberjacks have rookie Shin Uchino at shortstop from the International Baseball Academy and Mike Grasso at second, who swiped 22 bases last year with the Rome Braves. At first, veteran Mark Burke returns from his .330-3-22 year last season. Utility players Willie King, a .300 hitter with Houma last year and Paul Powell, a Northern League All-Star last season, shore up the infield. Adding pop to the lineup is catcher/DH Ryan Sienko who belted 14 homers with Joliet a year ago.

In the bullpen, the Jacks will use returnee Brandon Bowe as a middle reliever with the hard throwing J.C. Huguet, and Laine McKeller, the number one draft pick from the 2004 Central League tryout camp as other relievers. Lance Odom will also help the Jacks get to the late innings. Veteran John Duffy will be used as the situational left-hander, and Duffy's teammate in Sioux City last year, John Rohlfing will set up closer John Mangieri, a flame-thrower from the Atlantic League.

The rest of the starting rotation will feature big Lance Calmus, a veteran who comes to the Jacks from the Atlantic City Surf. Ernie Miller, a non-roster invitee who pitched in Triple-A Edmonton is the third starter. The backend of the rotation features two rookie returnees from last year's squad: lefty Matt Scheuing (1-1, 2.78) and All-Star Jerry Long (2-6, 3.61).

Season Tickets and Pack Tickets are on sale now at the Jacks store in the Bangor Mall. The Lumberjacks begin the 2004 season tonight in New Jersey, and open at home on Thursday, June 3 at the new John Winkin Baseball Complex on the campus of Husson College in Bangor. Please call 207-947-1900 for all ticket, promotional, and sponsorship information or stop in the Lumberjacks Pro Shop located in the Bangor Mall.

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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.

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