wcthunderbolts.com: Press Releases

THUNDERBOLTS SELECT FOUR IN DRAFT

05/06/2009 12:08 PM

Clockwise from top left: Justin Costi, Sean Conley, Joe McIntyre, Zach Aakhus

Crestwood, IL – The Windy City ThunderBolts added to their spring training roster by selecting four players in the Frontier League draft on Tuesday.

With their first round selection, the Bolts took RHP Justin Costi. Costi previously pitched professionally in 2007 with the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association. For the T-Bones he went 2-1 with a 5.94 ERA in nine games. That experience followed on the heels of the conclusion of his senior year at the University of Hawaii where Costi went 8-2 with a 4.41 ERA. For the Warriors, Costi tossed a pair of shutouts and struck out 69 batters in 81.2 innings.

In the second round, Windy City selected catcher Zach Aakhus. Hailing from Northwest Nazarene University, Aakhus had a monster senior season for the Crusaders, hitting .387 with 16 homers and 54 RBI, while compiling a .496 on-base percentage. As a junior, Aakhus hit .341 with seven homers and 34 RBI.

“Zach was the player we missed the most this season,” said Northwest Nazarene Sports Information Director, Craig Stensgaard. “His presence in the lineup impacted hitters two batters in front of him.”

Former Pittsburgh Panther Sean Conley was selected in the third round. The outfielder completed his four year career with the Panthers in 2008 with a big season, hitting .317 with 11 HR and 48 RBI. A four-year starter for Pitt, Conley never batted below .281 in his career. Following his graduation from Pitt, Conley worked last season with the North Adams SteepleCats in the New England Collegiate Baseball League as a hitting instructor.

In the fourth round the ThunderBolts took Joseph McIntyre. Hailing from North Carolina A&T, McIntyre hit .332 with seven homers and 58 RBI as an outfielder for the Aggies in 2008. At the league tryout, McIntyre worked out as a pitcher and will be brought into camp for the ThunderBolts as a left-handed hurler.

The two-time defending Frontier League Champion ThunderBolts will open their home preseason slate with their Mother’s Day Charity Classic against the Northern League’s Joliet Jackhammers on Sunday, May 10 at 6:05 p.m. Ticket proceeds will benefit Park Lawn School and Activity Center in Oak Lawn. The game will feature the debut of Windy City’s concession value menu where hot dogs, sodas and popcorn will be available for just $1. It will also mark the first ThunderBolts game on their new flagship station, 88.3 FM, WXAV. The Bolts will kick of their title defense on May 21 against the Rockford RiverHawks. For more information, contact the team at 708-489-BALL or visit them on the web at www.wcthunderbolts.com.

| Download Attachment | Back to index...