MINERS RE-SIGN LITTLE

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have re-signed right-handed pitcher Chris Little for the 2008 season. Little went 8-8 with a 3.80 ERA in 2007 as he split time between the Miners and the Gateway Grizzlies.



“Chris has a live arm and is expected to be a solid member of this staff,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He brings experience and a very competitive, professional approach to the mound.”



The St. Louis native is entering his seventh season of professional baseball. He joined the Miners in late July when he was traded for left-handed pitcher Brian Logan, who is now with the White Sox organization. In nine appearances with the Miners, eight of them starts, he went 4-5 with a 4.44 ERA. He did not allow an earned run in his final 16.1 innings of the season. Included in that stretch was a complete game three-hit shutout.



“We found Chris to be a very hard worker and very coachable,” Pinto said. “He is on our off-season program now and we are looking at a big year for Chris.”



Little was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 12th round of the 2001 draft. He spent one season in the Astros organization before signing with Gateway. He then pitched one season with the Montreal Expos affiliate in Vermont before rejoining the Grizzlies for two more seasons.



“It’s great to see so many important pieces of this team returning,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “Mike deserves a lot of credit for that. I’m looking forward to a great season.”



The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.