Port St. Lucie, Fla. --  A pair of former North Adams teammates faced off on different sides last week in the Sunshine State, as past SteepleCats Ryan Fraser (Memphis ’10) and John Schultz (Pittsburgh ’11) represented their new professional organizations in a matchup between the New York Mets and Miami Marlins in Spring Training action.

General Manager Sean McGrath (pictured with Fraser) had the opportunity to reunite with the alumni after the game.

Fraser, a right-handed hurler who spent the 2009 season with the organization, hopes to earn a spot on the Port St. Lucie Mets (Florida State League/Advanced A) roster this spring, while the outfielder Schultz – also a 2009 SteepleCats product – spent his first season as a pro with the Marlins’ Rookie GCL team and will be aiming to move up to the New York-Penn League Jamestown Jammers after a solid rookie campaign.
During their 2009 season with the SteepleCats, both Fraser and Schultz helped the organization to a 25-win campaign that helped the team qualify for the playoffs before bowing out to eventual-runner-up Vermont. Schultz, an All-NECBL Second Team member that year – led the team with a .329 batting average to compliment his also-team-leading 47 hits and 30 RBI, while Fraser posted solid numbers as a reliever, finishing the season with a 3.86 ERA in 28 innings of action.


This will be Fraser’s third full season as a pro in the Mets’ organization after logging seasons with the Brooklyn Cyclone (New York-Penn League) in 2010 and the Savannah Sand Gnats (South Atlantic League) last season. The Cleveland, Tenn., native went 7-9 with the Sand Gnats in 2011 while posting a 3.58 ERA in 26 appearances and 138.1 innings of work. Fraser was selected in the 16th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft after wrapping up his collegiate career with the Memphis Tigers.
Looking to move up within the ranks of the newly renamed Miami Marlins’ system, Schultz batted a solid .278 from the plate in his first professional season with the GCL Marlins (Rookie League) last summer. The West Lawn, Pa., native drove in 30 runs and scored 40 times to highlight a memorable first year. Schultz was drafted in the 34th round by the Marlins in 2011.

---Go SteepleCats!!---

With the 2012 NECBL season right around the corner, fans are encouraged to save on admission by purchasing season tickets to save 33 percent off the price of regular admission. To inquire about ticket purchases, visit Val’s Variety in Adams; Creations or Man’s World Styling Salon in North Adams; Billmont’s Country Store in Stamford, VT; by calling 413-663-7333; or visiting shopsteeplecats.com. For more information, visit www.steeplecats.com.

The SteepleCats are seeking additional members of the community who wish to join the organization and contribute in a variety of roles. Anyone interested in helping contribute to the SteepleCats success in any capacity may contact the organization directly at dan.bosley@verizon.net.
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For more information and interviews, please contact:
Sean McGrath
General Manager
steeplecats_gm@roadrunner.com
Chris Aliano
Team Broadcaster/Media Relations Assistant
caliano89@gmail.com