| Friday, March 31, 2006 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Brad Tillery ( 517) 485-4500 ext. 233 |
Lugnuts announce 2006 Opening Day roster
LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Lugnuts, in conjuction with the Toronto Blue Jays, have announced the 2006 Opening Day roster. Twelve players return from the 2005 squad, including pitcher Chi-Hung Cheng, who ranked third in the Midwest League with 142 strikeouts. Other returning players include fellow pitchers A.J. Wideman, Russ Savickas, and Po-Hsuan Keng as well as outfielders Yuber Rodriguez and Cory Patton.
The 2006 Lugnuts will also feature several high draft picks. Brian Pettway, Toronto's third round draft pick last June, will patrol the Oldsmobile Park outfield to begin the season. Pettway had a decorated career at the University of Mississippi, where he was named a second team All-American last season and led the Rebels to within a game of the College World Series.
Catcher Josh Bell, the Blue Jays' sixth round selection last year, will join Pettway in Lansing. Bell attended Auburn University, where he hit .303 in three seasons and batted at a .338 clip in his final campaign with the Tigers. Bell was a two-way player at Auburn, playing both catcher and pitcher.
The Lugnuts will begin the 2006 season on Thursday, April 6 at 7:05 p.m. Lansing will host the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays at Oldsmobile Park. The game will be a Molson Thirsty Thursday with LAFCU Fireworks to follow.
Tickets for the season opener are still available and can be purchased at the Lugnuts Box Office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or by visiting www.lansinglugnuts.com.
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