New Bedford Bay Sox Sign Corey Batista

By Mike Thomas, The Herald News

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- Gearing up for the stretch run, the New Bedford Bay Sox (of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) added Bishop Connolly graduate Corey Batista to its roster Monday prior to its doubleheader against the Danbury Westerners.

Batista, who played shortstop and pitched at Bridgewater State University in his junior year this past season, will be used as a pitcher for New Bedford, which remains in the playoff hunt.

"I found out this weekend," said Batista about when he heard he would be in a Bay Sox uniform. "They asked me to throw a bullpen session and then I signed my contract."

Batista is coming off an MCL injury suffered this baseball season, but says he was cleared to play about a month ago.

"I was playing shortstop and got taken out on a double play," said Batista, who is also scheduled to work out for the Seattle Mariners scouts at the end of the month. "I didn't need surgery, it was all rehab."

Batista went 7-3 for the Bears this season with a 1.78 ERA. He recorded 79 strikeouts in 70.2 innings pitches. He walked 15.

Offensively, he also was the co-leader in home runs with five.

"We lost three players – Charlie Neil, Brandon Miller and Blaine O'Brien –and Blaine was a starting pitcher who was injured," said Bay Sox manager Derek Viveiros. "We had heard a lot about Corey and he threw a bullpen session for us. His fastball had a little bit of movement on it."

With a full slate of games, including several doubleheaders, in the final two weeks of the regular season, Batista will provide the Bay Sox with a boost in the arms department.

"I've been throwing on the side, just trying to get back," Batista said. "I was throwing bullpens in the Cape (Cod Baseball League). It's great to be able to come here and play against some Division 1 players. I'm looking forward to it."