MINERS RE-SIGN BAILEY, VICTOR

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have re-signed infielder Mike Victor and right-handed pitcher Griffin Bailey for the 2008 season.



Victor, 24, hit .243 with five doubles and seven home runs as a rookie with the Miners in 2007. He posted an impressive .538 average in 13 pinch hit at bats. After starting the season at third base in place of an injured Chris Hall, he went on to play six different positions including designated hitter.



“Mike played a number of important roles for us last season,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He is a big, strong guy who showed power, and as a pinch hitter in critical spots for us, he was tremendous. Mike is a quality guy and a quality player. We are glad to have him back with us.”



Bailey appeared in 15 games, eight of them as a starter, for the Miners in 2007. He finished the season ranked third on the team in strikeouts (45) and fourth on the team in innings pitched (56.0). The 24-year-old former Louisville Cardinal signed with the Houston Astros after college, and recorded a 4.50 ERA in one season with the Astros organization.



“Griffin has a live arm with better than average velocity,” Pinto said. “He worked hard on his mechanics and his approach last season. We believe that Grif has the ability to help this staff this 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.