Sharks Sign Two College Athletes
Published on May 28, 2013 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilmington Sharks News Release
Wilmington, N.C. - Today the Wilmington Sharks announced the signing of two University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL) Blazers and two Lynn University (FL) Fighting Knights for the 2013 season. Alex Luna and Nick Altobella from UAB will add depth to the Sharks pitching staff. Travis Connolly and Alex Freedman from Lynn look to add offense and defense.
Luna, a 6-5, 195-pound lanky right-hander from Huntsville, Ala. just completed his sophomore season for the Blazers. He made eight starts picking up two wins this spring; he threw 43.1 innings striking out 37. Earlier in the spring Luna threw a complete game shutout against Alabama St. giving up three hits and striking out 10. In Luna's freshman year, he threw 19.2 innings striking out 15 and made 12 appearances for UAB. He had three scoreless outings in his first four appearances in 2012.
Altobella, the 5-10, 175-pound left-hander from Mokena, Ill., redshirted this spring with the UAB Blazers. In high school at St. Laurence (Ill) he hit .458 and finished with a 2.50 ERA. He was named 2012 St. Laurence Most Valuable Player, he was a four-time recipient of Leader-Scholar Award and was a member of the First Team All-Catholic League in 2012.
Freedman, a 5-10, 180-pound junior infielder from Davie, Fla. just finished his spring with Lynn University. He hit started 50 games hitting .288 with four home runs and 33 RBIs. He had 11 multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI games. He also led the Lynn baseball team with 27 walks.
This is Freedman's third year with the Sharks. In 2012 with Wilmington, he started 49 games picking up 31 hits and 18 RBIs. He also stole four bases on four attempts. The veteran looks to add offense and defense again this season and be a leader on the team. Connolly, a 6-2, 200-pound right-handed hurler from Coral Springs, Fla. redshirted this spring for Lynn University. In 2012 with Palm Beach State College, he made 17 appearances striking out 38 batters in 39 innings of work.
The Wilmington Sharks are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 17th season in 2013, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 1000 alumni drafted and 62 alums-including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander-make their major league debut so far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (@cpleague).
Coastal Plain League Stories from May 28, 2013
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- Sharks Sign Two College Athletes - Wilmington Sharks
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