February 2, 2007

ANTONINI EARNS PRESEASON BASEBALL AMERICA HONORS;
FORMER RAT LEFTY NAMED D-II PRESEASON PITCHER OF THE YEAR

DURHAM, NC—Left-handed pitcher Mike Antonini, who pitched two seasons for the River Rats including the team's first game, has been named as the preseason Division II Pitcher of the Year by Baseball America.  Antonini, currently a senior at Georgia College and State University, pitched for the River Rats in 2005 and 2006, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Philles in the June 2006 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

Antonini started the River Rats' inaugural game on June 5, 2005 and was 3-6 with a 2.28 ERA in two seasons with New Bern.  He holds several distinctions in the team' record book including single-season ERA (2.17 in 2006, 3rd); career ERA (2.28, 5th); and career strikeouts (46, 3rd).

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Antonini in the 41st round (1237th overall) of the June 2006 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

As a junior at GCSU, Antonini was 11-1 with a 2.93 ERA, leading the team in strikeouts (63) and innings pitched (101 1/3).  The GCSU Bobcats, ranked #2 in pre-season Division II polls, open their 2007 season this weekend against the defending Division II National Champion University of Tampa Spartans (ranked #1 in pre-season polls).  Last season, Antonini dealt the Spartans (54-6) one of their only losses of the year, allowing only one unearned run in 5 2/3 innings.

About the River Rats:

The New Bern River Rats baseball club is a member of the Coastal Plain League, a high-profile wood-bat collegiate summer baseball league.  The team will open the 2007 season on Wednesday, May 30 against the Wilmington Sharks at New Bern High School’s Boykin Field.  All 57 games can be heard on the Meinke Car Care Center Broadcasts on ESPN Radio 1490 AM. The team’s official website is www.NewBernRiverRats.com.

About the Coastal Plain League:

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 10th anniversary season, the CPL is the largest summer league in the country, featuring 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL is certified by Major League Baseball, and gives college players the chance to refine their skills with wooden bats during the summer months. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.