(Photo Credit: Paul Baillargeon)
The Gateway Grizzlies have extended the contract of right-handed pitcher Trevor Richards, who joined the organization during June of the 2015 season.
Richards maintained a 3.36 ERA in 14 starts for Gateway last season, including a stretch where he pitched at least six innings in 11 consecutive outings. Prior to signing with the Grizzlies, he finished his senior season at Drury University with 72 innings of work on the mound.
“As a rookie, I learned about the day-to-day grind of professional baseball,” said Richards, who grew up in nearby Aviston, Ill. “I threw a handful of innings last year between Drury and the Grizzlies, so I gave my arm a couple of months off to make sure I have the proper rest before this season,” he said.
Richards capped off his rookie campaign with perhaps his best outing of the season, as he shut down the Lake Erie Crushers with eight scoreless innings on September 6. He would finish the year by recording 84 strikeouts and just 27 walks in 91 innings pitched.
“I’m really looking forward to this season,” he said. “We had a young staff that threw the ball pretty well last year and hopefully we can roll that into this season.”
The Grizzlies open up the 2016 season on May 13 against the Washington Wild Things at GCS Ballpark. Season and group tickets are on sale now. Please call the Grizzlies’ box office at (618) 337-3000 for more information.
