Collins, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, is 6-2, 215 lbs. and a right-handed pitcher for the Mules.  In 16 relief appearances this year, the junior is 3-0 with a sparkling 0.74 ERA, including 37 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched.  He has allowed just seven hits and two earned runs all season and is limiting opposing hitters to a .091 batting average.  Bryan was a 31st round pick of the Chicago Cubs in the 2006 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

“Bryan will be an outstanding relief pitcher for us—he’s in the closer role at UCM and that’s where we expect him to contribute with the River Rats. He is having an outstanding year for the Mules and we hope to have him continue that success with us this summer.”

McBryde, a junior at UCM, is 6-0, 170 lbs., and a native of Humble, Texas.  The shortstop is hitting .341 in 44 games, with eight doubles, 21 RBIs, a .385 on-base percentage, and 11 stolen bases in 12 attempts.  As a freshman, Brian was named MIAA conference Freshman of the Year, consensus first-team All-MIAA, and second-team All-Region after leading the team in doubles, triples, and stolen bases. 

“I was fortunate enough to coach Brian for two years, and when we found out that UCM was interested in sending players to the River Rats he was the first player I asked about. He’s an extremely competitive player who can play any position on the field. He’s the type of player every coach wants to have around on and off the field. I am happy he chose to spend his summer in New Bern, and I expect he will be a key component, offensively and defensively, to this year’s club.”

Outfielder Clay Weatherford, also a junior, is hitting .306 in 50 games, including two home runs, six doubles, 23 RBIs, 37 runs scored, a .397 on-base percentage, and 14 stolen bases in 17 attempts.  The Fulton, Mississippi native was named to the first-team all-state baseball team as a high school senior and helped lead his American Legion team to a state championship. 

“Clay will be one of the most athletic players we’ve had in New Bern. He will be able to play all three outfield spots and we will rely heavily on him to get on base, steal bases, and provide some run-scoring opportunities.” Vaughan spent three seasons as an assistant coach at UCM--then called Central Missouri State University--during the 2004 through 2006 seasons.  The Division II powerhouse is currently 43-8 with a team batting average of .343.  During 2004 and 2005, the team was a combined 114-17 with two appearances in the Division II College World Series. 

The updated 2007 River Rats roster is on the team's website at www.newbernriverrats.com.

Rats notes:     

River Rats "Traditional" and "Flex" season tickets are now on sale.  Traditional season tickets include one game ticket for each of the 30 River Rats home games in 2007 and are priced at $100 for adults, $75 for seniors and military, and $50 for children ages 3 to 12.  Flex plans include 30 undated vouchers which can be used in any combination for River Rats 2007 home games. In addition to discounted ticket prices, season ticket holders receive a number of extra benefits.  These include a VIP Parking Pass (one per account, first 30 accounts only) and specials events like our “Meet the Players” pre-season picnic and “Batting Practice with the Team” in-season event.