Bryan-College Station, TX (March 1, 2007) – The Brazos Valley Bombers announced today the addition of two more players to the team’s roster for the 2007 season. Joseph Towns, a third baseman for University of Texas at Tyler, and Temple University shortstop Ryan Weber have committed to play for the Bombers this summer. The additions bring the total number of players signed for the Bombers inaugural season to eight.
A sophomore playing his second season at UT-Tyler, Towns has been a driving force behind the Patriots undefeated 9-0 start. A starter in every game this season, Towns is batting .517 (15-for-29), tops among Patriot regulars, with a team-leading five doubles and 20 total bases. His nine RBI and nine runs scored have helped pace an offense that is averaging more than nine runs per game. Towns has also earned seven walks against just one strikeout, registering an eye-popping .690 on-base percentage.
Considering the success Towns enjoyed during his freshman season in 2005, his gaudy numbers this year should be of no surprise. He batted a stunning .457 as a freshman, including .516 in April during the season’s home stretch. In a contest against Jarvis Christian, Towns tied a school record for hits in a game by going 6-for-6, including a double and a triple, with four runs scored and five RBI. He also showed off his versatility, appearing in six games as a pitcher, striking out eight in twelve innings. Towns joined the Patriots after becoming an all-district player at Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas.
Weber is another Texan with an impressive bat, but he’s chosen to show it off up north. The junior transfer in his first season with the Owls is leading Temple regulars with a .391 average after six games. One-third of his hits are for extra bases (9-for-26 with two doubles and a home run), giving him a .609 slugging percentage. His .481 on-base percentage is easily best on the team. This past weekend at New Mexico State, Weber went 8-for-14 (.571) and slugged .925, earning Philadelphia Big 5 Baseball Hitter of the Week honors.
Weber arrived at Temple with some already impressive credentials. At Eastfield Junior College in Mesquite, Texas, he helped lead the Harvesters to the NJCAA National Championship, in the process earning all-tournament honors. A two-time all-conference and all-region player at Eastfield, Weber batted .329 as a freshman and .314 as a sophomore. The Cypress native starred for the baseball team at Cy-Fair High School.
The Bombers are members of the nine-team Texas Collegiate League, one of the nation’s premier summer collegiate circuits. Teams like the Bombers bring minor league baseball-style entertainment to communities throughout the country, giving some of the best college players a chance to further their careers in wood bat leagues in front of Major League scouts. The Bombers begin their 48-game inaugural season on June 5 against the Coppell Copperheads. The team’s historic home opener will take place on June 8 when the Bombers welcome the Duncanville Deputies to Travis Field. For more information and to purchase ticket packages, visit the Bombers’ official web site at www.bvbombers.com.