Starnes named to Southern Illinois Miner pitching staff

MARION, IL – Earlier this month, former UNC Greensboro pitcher Nick Starnes signed with the Southern Illinois Miners for the 2008 season.

Starnes, a member of the Spartan pitching staff from 2004-07, finished his career with a 6.11 ERA and an 18-19 record. In his 71 appearances, he recorded 272.2 innings on the mound and tallied 226 strikeouts.

In 2006, the Haw River, NC native topped the hill with 73 strikeouts, 31 of those recorded on called third strikes. The previous year, he and teammate Chris Mason shared the top spot in both wins (6) and games started (15). In 2004, he was named the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week following two five-inning appearances in which he held the opponent to just two hits each and combined for a total 13 strikeouts.

This past summer, Starnes played for the 2007 National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series Champion Havasu Heat. While with the Heat, Starnes recorded 47 strikeouts in 34 innings and walked just 11 batters.

Prior to joining the UNCG baseball team, Starnes was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the ninth-round of the 2002 draft, but chose not to sign. That same year, he was ranked as the No. 31 best high school prospect by Baseball America.

Starnes is expected to report to spring training in Marion, IL the first week of May.

The Southern Illinois Miners are of the independent Frontier League. They will open up the 2008 season at home with a May 21 game at Rent One Park in Marion. For the latest news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.

The Spartans host the 2008 baseball season home opener with three games against Kent State on February 22-24.

For news about UNCG baseball, complete season schedule, and any other information regarding Spartan athletics log onto www.UNCGSpartans.com.

# # UNCG # #