Rattlers Acquire Bitter From Hounds
September 14, 2012 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Dallas Rattlers News Release
The Rochester Rattlers have acquired A Billy Bitter from the Charlotte Hounds in their second off-season transaction of 2012-13. The two year MLL veteran and University of North Carolina alum highlights a deal that sends Bitter, D Kevin Randall, and the Hounds 2nd round pick in the 2013 MLL Draft to Rochester for M Kevin Drew and the Rattlers 1st and 4th round draft picks.
"Billy Bitter had a storied career at UNC and has produced in his first two years in MLL." Rattlers coach Tim Soudan said. "He gives us a chance to look at doing some different things in the attack next year. Kevin Randall is a local kid who grew up in Penfield and gives us another option at long pole."
Bitter has played with Denver and Charlotte in his first two seasons in Major League Lacrosse. Last season he played all 14 games with the Hounds. He scored 14 goals and recorded eight assists. As a rookie Bitter played in nine games with the Outlaws where he scored 12 goals and added four assists. Bitter was the third overall selection of the Outlaws in the 2011 MLL Draft. He was a three time All-American with the University of North Carolina where he scored 99 goals and added 76 assists for 175 points and scooped 172 ground balls.
Bitter joins two-time All-MLL selection Ned Crotty (31 points in 12 games), Kevin Leveille (249 career goals "" second all-time), and Steven Boyle (18G "" 9A in 2012) in the Rattlers attack.
The 6'2", 205 pound Randall was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-American after he anchored the nation's best defense and helped the Irish to an appearance in the NCAA Final Four. He was a four year letter winner with the Fighting Irish where he started the final three years of his career on a defense that was ranked in the top two in the nation. He recorded 20 ground balls in 15 games as a senior, and finished his career with 55 ground balls in 54 games. Randall was a three time All-Monroe County selection and a two-time All-Greater Rochester Selection with Penfield High School.
Last season Drew was selected by Rochester in the 2nd round and 13th pick overall out of Syracuse. Drew saw action in 11 games scoring seven goals and scooped 15 ground balls as a rookie for the Rattlers.
In 2012 the Rochester Rattlers improved from a 2-10 mark in 2011 to finish 7-7. The young Rattlers were playing for a playoff spot on the final weekend of the season, but ultimately missed out on the fourth and final spot in the 2012 MLL playoffs by one game. The Rattlers are excited about the 2013 season with their additions of Bitter, Randall, and newly acquired face-off man John Ortolani that they received via a trade with Boston.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from September 14, 2012
- Rattlers Acquire Bitter From Hounds - Dallas Rattlers
- Hounds Acquire Drew, Pair of Picks in Trade - Charlotte Hounds
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