November 28, 2006 - Broncs Sign Six
November 28, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Baseball
Rider Signs Six
LAWRENCVEVILLE—The Rider University baseball team has signed six recruits for the 2008 season, Rider head baseball coach Barry Davis announced.
Patrick Devlin of Richboro, PA, Nate Eppley of Dillsburg, PA, Jeff Giordano of Massapequa, NY, Mike Thomas of Forest Hill, MD, Steve Galella of Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Carlo Petrillo of Norristown, PA have signed national letters of intent to further their education and athletic careers at Rider.
“This class gives us needed depth on the mound and two position players that can step in and play right away in the field,” said Davis, the 2006 MAAC Baseball Co-Coach of the Year. “They are all quality students and we are excited they chose Rider to further their education.”
Devlin is a left-handed pitcher at Council Rock North High School, where he struck out 52 batters in 48 innings last season. “Patrick is a left-hander with a plus curve ball, and a high level of competitiveness,” Davis said. “He can pitch in any role.” Devlin was 4-4 last year in 11 starts.
Giordano is a left-handed pitcher at Massapequa High School. He was 4-0 last year as a junior with 37 strikeouts in 35 innings, leading his team to the New York State Championship and to a national ranking of 16th according to Baseball America. “As with Devlin, Jeff can pitch in any role. He is coming from a solid high school program and he is accustomed to winning and that is always a plus,” said Davis.
Thomas is a left-handed pitcher at Fallston High School, where he struck out 50 batters in 46 innings pitched last season as a junior. During the summer he played on the Under-17 Maryland Showcase team and struck out 55 in 53 innings of work. “Mike has a chance to be a solid left-handed starter here at Rider. His best days are ahead of him,” said Davis. Thomas was 4-3 on his 12-8 squad.
Galella was twice an All-Area infielder at G. A. R High School, where he owns a career batting average of .497 and enters his senior year with 97 career hits, including 30 doubles. During the summer Galella was named a Pennsylvania American Legion East-West All-Star. “Steve will make an immediate contribution. He can play any of the three infield positions and will be expected to play right away,” said Davis.
Petrillo is an outfielder at Kennedy-Kendrick Catholic High School, where he batted .453 with 39 hits, including six home runs and 30 RBI in 26 games, and is a Preseason All-American according to Baseball America. “Carlo will give us added depth in the outfield. He will challenge for a corner outfield position. He demonstrates the ability to be a solid hitter now,” said Davis.
Eppley is a 6’6” right-handed pitcher at Northern York High School. “Nate has the physical tools to be a prospect. We feel he will develop into a quality starter here at Rider,” said Davis.
The Broncs finished in third place in the 10-team Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference last season. Rider begins the 2007 season with a three-game series at East Tennessee State February 23-25.
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