MINERS RE-SIGN DREW MOFFITT

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have re-signed outfielder Drew Moffitt for the 2008 season. Moffitt joined the Miners for the final 18 games of the 2007 season and immediately made an impact, hitting .288 with eight extra base hits. It was his first season in professional baseball since 2005.



“Bringing Drew back is a big thing for us,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He brings another big power source to the middle of our lineup. With an off-season spent preparing to play baseball, I think Drew will have a big impact for us. He is a professional and brings a veteran approach to his efforts.”



Moffitt played his college baseball at Wichita State. In three seasons with the Shockers he hit .301 with 60 home runs and a .439 on base percentage. He led the Missouri Valley Conference in home runs for three consecutive years, was a two time All-MVC first team selection and was named to the MVC All-Centennial Team.



Moffitt was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the tenth round of the 2004 draft. In 75 games over two years with the O’s organization, he hit .258 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI. He was released following the 2005 season and did not play in 2006.



After taking more than a year and a half away from the game, he joined the Havasu Heat to play in the NBC World Series. He hit .315 with three home runs, seven RBI and eight runs scored for the national champion Heat. He was also named to the All-American team in 2007 before joining the Miners.



“The lineup is really starting to take shape with these important players returning,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “I can’t wait to get these guys on the field with Mike and get this season started.”



Moffitt enters the season with a one-year status with the Frontier League. He will turn 27 during the season so this will be his final year of eligibility in the league.



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.