Miners lose Arkansas freshman, add Penn State sophomore

PALMER — The Mat-Su Miners have lost catcher James McCann, just two days after the University of Arkansas freshman arrived, Mat-Su general manager Pete Christopher said on Friday.

McCann, who arrived on in Palmer on Wednesday, may have suffered a potential elbow injury, Christopher said. He will be replaced on the roster by Penn State catcher Bobby Jacobs.

McCann, a touted freshman backstop, appeared in 49 games and started 35 behind the plate during his first season with the Razorbacks. McCann and pitcher Sam Murphy, another Miners recruit, missed the first two weeks of the season as the Razorbacks battled through the NCAA College World Series. Their college season came to an end last week when the Razorbacks were topped by eventual CWS champion Louisiana State.

The Santa Barbara, Calif., native was selected in the 31st round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago White Sox.

Jacobs, a native of West Chester, Pa., hit .298 in 29 games as a sophomore. He made 27 starts.

“He’s a good catch and throw guy,” Christopher said.

With McCann unavailable the Miners have only starter Nick Croce and bullpen catcher Wesley Smith on the roster. First baseman Jonathon Cisneros also appeared in one game at catcher.

Miners hold

off Fire rally

The Mat-Su Miners jumped on the Athletes in Action early Sunday and held on to douse the Fire 5-4 in Alaska Baseball League action.

After a scoreless first inning, the Miners got on the board in the top of the second when DJ Gentile doubled to lead off the inning and was brought home by Nick Croce.

But it was the second inning that broke the game open for the Miners, who crossed the plate three times in the inning to take a 4-0 lead. That lead was stretched to 5-0 in the fourth before the Fire rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning with three runs.

In that breakout second inning, left fielder James Ramsey doubled to lead off the inning and scored on a single from infielder Shane Brown. Brown stole second base and crossed the plate when Gentile stroked his second double in as many innings. First baseman Jonathan Cisneros finished the offense for the Miners in the third with an RBI double of his own.

At the plate in the top of the fourth, Ramsey crushed a solo home run for what would prove to be the game-winner.

The Athletes in Action Fire rally failed in the seventh inning, and the Miners closed out final two innings to hold on for the 5-4 victory.

Clayton Ehlert recorded the win for Mat-Su, pitching 5 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and three runs.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.