STEEPLECATS SIGNINGS
NORTH ADAMS, MA – The North Adams SteepleCats of the 12-team
New England Collegiate Baseball League announce the signings
of a trio of players from the University of North Carolina
at Wilmington, catcher Cody Stanley, outfielder Matt Holt
and pitcher Stephen Harrold.
“UNCW is a tremendous program that has a lot of respect
throughout the country. We are excited to finally begin a
relationship with their student-athletes. Part of this was
made possible last summer when we hosted Team USA. One of
Team USA’s assistant coaches was UNCW’s Head Coach, Mark
Scalf. Although his stay was brief, Mark was impressed with
the SteepleCats organization, stadium, fan support and
atmosphere and thought it would be a great place for his
players to play summer baseball. We are very excited to have
Cody, Stephen, and Matt joining us this summer and know that
we are bringing excellent student-athletes to our
community,” said McGrath. An extensive conversation with
Mark and both coaching staffs took place following the game
under the third base tent as both teams mingled together
eating a homemade lasagna meal that was donated by staff and
volunteers of the SteepleCats.
Stanley has come in and made an immediate impact as a
freshman, starting the majority of the games behind the
plate for the Seahawks who come into the week at 26-7-1 and
are receiving votes in all three of the major polls that
rank collegiate baseball. The left-handed hitting Stanley is
batting .294, including a .303 average in Colonial Athletic
Association play, with three homeruns and 15 RBI to go along
with five doubles. A phenomenal receiver, he has also
committed just one error this season and has been involved
in three double plays. Coming out of high school, Stanley
was named the 11th best prospect in the state of North
Carolina by ImpactBaseball.
“Cody was one of the most recruited catchers out of North
Carolina last year and had numerous scholarship offers,
including East Carolina, U. of North Carolina, and North
Carolina State to name a few. UNCW expected him to
contribute right away and he hasn’t disappointed,” said
McGrath.
Harrold is another talented freshman who has come in and
made an immediate impact as he leads UNCW in saves with five
and is tied for second on the team in appearances with 17
performances out of the bullpen. A righty, Harrold has
fanned 21 batters in 23 innings and has held opponents to a
.232 average against while compiling a 3-2 overall record
with a 3.52 ERA. Like his teammate, Stanley, Harrold has
turned it up in conference play as he is 2-0 with four saves
against CAA foes with a 2.92 ERA and a .214 opponents
average against. Another touted high school prospect from
NC, he was rated as the 33rd best prospect by ImpactBaseball.
“Harrold is another polished true freshman joining the ‘Cats
this summer. He is making quite an impact on a nationally
recognized program. He’s a hard throwing right handed
pitcher with an above average curveball and tremendous
command. He’s going to have quite an impact on our pitching
staff,” said McGrath.
Matt Holt is a sophomore for the Seahawks. As a freshman in
2007, he hit .274 with four homeruns including the nailing
the lone Grand Slam of the season for UNCW on May 6th
against Northeastern. In 2007, Holt appeared in 44 games
making 38 starts. A superlative fielder, he committed just
four errors at second base all season including none over
the last 14 games of the year while compiling a .978
fielding percentage.
“Matt’s been side tracked due to an early season ankle
injury, but has recovered and is working his way back into
the line-up. He’s very versatile and can play anywhere in
the infield at 6’ 2”. He has the speed to bat lead-off,
which he did a lot last season, but also the ability to find
the gaps for extra base hits. Matt is going to be a valuable
part of our line-up this summer. One thing we do know is
that Matt can do just about anything, offensively or
defensively,” said McGrath.
The SteepleCats will open their 2008 campaign with a three
game home stand, starting on June 6th with a date against
the Torrington Twisters. June 7th sees the Newport Gulls
come to Joe Wolfe Field with the weekend concluding against
the Manchester Silkworms on June 8th. All three games have a
first pitch slated for 7 p.m. with the gates opening at 6
p.m. For more information, visit www.steeplecats.com
In case you haven't purchased your season ticket for the
upcoming season, please visit one of the 7 local businesses
listed here to purchase your full season's ticket or 10-pack
ticket. The Full Season Family Plan is $100; Full Season
Individual Plan is $70; Ten-Pack Family Plan is $60; and the
Ten-Pack Individual Plan is $45. Tickets are sold at all of
the following locations: Adams: Val's Variety; Clarksburg:
Cross Road Variety; North Adams: Man's World and Moulton's
General Store; Stamford, VT: Billmont's Country Store, and
in Williamstown at Angelina's Submarine Shop and St.
Pierre's Barber Shop
