Miners Sign a Pair of Lefthanders
January 14, 2013 - Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
Marion, IL - The Southern Illinois Miners and manager Mike Pinto have signed two left handed pitchers in Nick Gillung of the St. Louis Cardinals organization and Richard Sullivan of the Atlanta Braves organization.
"The reports I have from the Cardinals front office give me confidence that Nick could be a great addition to our staff this season", said Pinto. "He has pitched in some big games with success in pro ball and in college and he should fit nicely with us this year."
Gillung joins the Miners after two seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization where he was a 19th round pick in the 2011 First Year Player Draft.
Gillung began his professional career with the Johnson City Cardinals in 2011 where in 12 games he had a 1.73 ERA, striking out 25 in 26 innings, allowing only 20 hits. Gillung took home the Appalachian League Top Pitcher of the Postseason award after leading led Johnson City to the league title. He combined on a one hitter and allowed just three base runners in the title clinching win over Bluefield.
In 2012, Gillung was split between Johnson City and the Cardinals High-A affiliate Palm Beach. For the season, he carried a 3.89 ERA. In 37 innings, he struck out 27 and allowed 45 hits.
Gillung played his college baseball at Mercyhurst College where he was named PSAC Western Division Pitcher of the Year and was a member of the Rawlings/ABCA All-Atlantic Region First Team. He was also a semifinalist for the Tino Martinez Award presented to the outstanding player in NCAA Division II. In 2011 he was 8-2 with a 2.60 ERA. In 69 1/3 innings pitched he struck out 102 batters, walking 28 with opposing hitters batting only .213. He led all Division II pitchers with 13.25 strikeouts per 9 innings. He owns the single season strikeout record at Mercyhurst College.
Sullivan comes to the Miners from the Atlanta Braves organization where he was a named one of the top 25 prospects in their minor league system. He was a teammate of Miner Cory Harrilchak.
"Richard is a very talented pitcher and has been successful in at a high level in the Braves system and we have confidence he will be here as well", said Pinto. "He has shown command of the strike zone and ability to get ground balls. Richard will be a great addition to our staff this season"
Originally drafted in the 11th round of the major league draft in 2008, Sullivan has spent most of the last four seasons and 88 games with Double-A Mississippi. In five professional seasons, he has been a starter and a reliever carrying a career 4.42 ERA. Sullivan has pitched in 405 innings over 125 professional games striking out 320 batters and only walking 129.
Sullivan played his college baseball at Savannah College of Art and Design where he was named to the NAIA All-America second team in 2008. The 2008 Florida Sun Conference and NAIA Region XIV Player of the Year led SCAD with a 7-4 record, with a 2.26 ERA in 16 appearances.
The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2012 Frontier League Champions and have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year three times since its inception. It has also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007. For media inquiries concerning the Miners, please contact Mike Ventola, Director of Media Relations 618-998-8499 ext. 8547 or mikev@southernillinoisminers.com. For ticket information please contact the Rent One Park Box Office at 618-998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.
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Frontier League Stories from January 14, 2013
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- Miners Sign a Pair of Lefthanders - Southern Illinois Miners
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