FL River City Rascals

Van Slyke, New Rascals Making Positive Impact For First Place Rascals

Published on June 18, 2008 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O'Fallon, MO - Four new faces have joined the River City Rascals in recent days after the team returned home from a road trip to Washington, Pennsylvania last weekend.

A.J. Van Slyke, Ryan Wehrle, Derek David and Dustin Corbett have all signed contracts with the Rascals and the results have been immediate.

Since returning home from Washington, the Rascals are 2-0 and with wins over the Evansville Otters and the Rascals sit on top of the Frontier League West Division.

In Tuesday night's win over Evansville, the Rascals pounded out a season best 16 hits, the team only had 17 hits all series in Washington where they dropped two of three.

Rascals Manager Toby Rumfield could feel a positive change was going to happen with the new signings.

"They give us a breath of fresh air," Rumfield said. "Some of our guys were pressing a little because the offense wasn't hitting, but I can tell these guys we've brought in are players and you can see that just by watching them play the past few nights. I really like our team right now."

Van Slyke, son of former Cardinal Andy Van Slyke, has doubled, driven in a run, scored a run and walked three times in two games for the Rascals. The outfielder/first baseman was released about a week ago from the Springfield Cardinals (AA). Van Slyke hit .244 in 45 at-bats with 1 RBI. He started the year with Palm Beach (A) of the Florida State League. His first two starts have been in the outfield in left and right.

Wehrle hit his first home run as a Rascal and also singled in Tuesday night's win. In two games the former All-American at Nebraska has gone 4-9 (.444) with a home run, four RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Wehrle signed with River City after being released from the Staten Island Yankees (A) in 2007 where he hit .199 in 42 at-bats. The infielder was a 2006 18th round draft choice by the Cincinnati Reds.

David joins the Rascals after being the two-time Division III Player of the Year. He finished his senior year at McMurry University in Texas with a .432 batting average, scored 79 runs, had 86 hits, 12 doubles, 26 home runs and 73 RBI in 48 games. He also totaled 175 total bases and slugged .879 for the season. David set the NCAA Division III record for consecutive games with a home run when he did it in seven straight games from March 25-April 5.

Corbett signed with the Rascals out of Pace University (Division II) where he went 7-3 with a 1.20 ERA in 12 starts. He was named to the 2008 Daktronics NCAA Division II Second Team All-Northeast Region. The right-hander was a first team All-Northeast-10 conference selection. Corbett bested the team in wins, ERA and innings pitched. In the NE-10, Corbett ranked second in ERA, fifth in opposing batter average and innings pitched, sixth in strikeouts, tied for sixth in wins and tied for third in games started. Corbett leaves Pleasantville ranked first all-time in school history in innings pitched (240.0) and strikeouts (199), while ranking second all-time in career victories (19) and eighth all-time in ERA (3.00).

The River City Rascals are members of the twelve team Independent Frontier League and can be reached at (636) 240-BATS or online at www.rivercityrascals.com.

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Frontier League Stories from June 18, 2008


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