Bryan-College Station, TX (March 7, 2007) – The Brazos Valley Bombers announced today the addition of two Duke players to the team’s roster for the 2007 season. Freshman Will Currier, who has seen time out of the bullpen and at third base, and junior relief pitcher Ryan Perry will join the Bombers this summer. The two Blue Devils bring the Bombers inaugural season roster to ten players.
The pair has helped the Blue Devils to a 14-1 record this season after last night’s 7-4 victory over Temple. This matches the program’s best start in the last 25 years and has helped earn the Blue Devils votes in several national polls.
Currier has settled nicely into the Duke bullpen and shown the versatility to contribute at the plate as well. In four relief appearances, Currier has a 1-0 record and 1.69 ERA, allowing just three hits in 10.2 innings pitched. His .088 opponents’ batting average is best on the team. The righthander’s stock improved dramatically last night with his impressive outing against the Owls. Currier entered the game with the bases loaded and four Temple runs already across. He proceeded to escape without further damage and held Temple at bay while the Blue Devils roared back for the victory. His one hit over 5.1 shutout innings earned Currier his first collegiate victory.
Currier has also shown promise at the plate. In his first at-bat with the Blue Devils, Currier drove the first pitch he saw for a pinch-hit double, then scored later in the inning. In limited playing time, he is batting .333 with a .600 on-base percentage.
A native of Dripping Springs, Texas, Currier was a two-time all-district player and second-team all-state in high school. He went 20-2 with 216 strikeouts in his final two years on the mound, including a miniscule 1.16 ERA as a senior, and added 12 home runs and 63 RBI at the plate.
Perry brings to the Bombers several years of experience and a unique pitching perspective. A junior who has been among the team leaders in appearances the past two seasons, Perry is a righthanded submariner. The uncommon delivery can wreak havoc on righty batters, making him an option in critical situations. Perry has made only one appearance this season, a difficult outing against St. Bonaventure in which his control betrayed him. However, in each of the past two years, he has finished among the top five on the staff in appearances, including 21 games in 2006. Last year, Perry also finished fifth on the team in strikeouts (25) and seventh in innings pitched (28.1).
A Houston native, Perry was a four-year letterman and all-district ballplayer at Bellaire 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.