Beach Bums Aquire Outfielder & Pitcher Via Trade

February 3, 2015 - Frontier League (FL) Traverse City Beach Bums TRAVERSE CITY, MI - The Traverse City Beach Bums are excited to announce a pair of additions to the 2015 roster with outfielder Jay Austin and right-handed pitcher Anthony Montefusco joining the team via a trade with the Southern Illinois Miners, in exchange for pitcher Will Rankin.

Austin is a former second round pick of the Houston Astros and played in 60 games for Southern Illinois in 2014. He batted .292 with 12 doubles and 19 RBI while finishing fifth in the Frontier League with 28 steals. The 24 year old native of Atlanta, GA was originally drafted in 2008 and in six professional seasons has stolen 147 bases. This includes 54 steals while with Lancaster of the California League in 2010.

Montefusco joined Southern Illinois late in 2014 but in four starts he went 2-0 with a 0.37 earned run average. In 24 innings pitched he allowed only 21 hits.

The 23 year old native of Medford, NJ attended George Mason University and pitched four seasons ending in 2014. Over his collegiate career he had 59 appearances with 42 starts compiling a 21-13 record with four saves and a 3.00 earned run average. In his senior season he was named to the A-10 Conference Second Team and to the A-10 Conference All-Tournament Team.

As part of the deal, the Beach Bums send pitcher Will Rankin to Southern Illinois. Rankin emerged as the Beach Bums' closer during the 2014 season, collecting a 5-2 record with eight saves with a 1.08 earned run average. The tenth season of Beach Bums baseball begins Friday May 15 at Evansville at 6:35pm.

The Wuerfel Park offices are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The Beach Bums will play 51 games at Wuerfel Park in 2015 starting with the home opener and a FANtastic Fireworks Friday on May 22 at 7:05 pm. Season ticket packages are now available! Fans are invited to come on out to the ballpark and personally choose their seat or call 231-943-0100 for more information.

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Beach Bums Aquire Outfielder & Pitcher Via Trade