GARY, IN 3-17-2011 – The Gary SouthShore RailCats have agreed to terms with former Houston Astros farmhand Jack Frawley after discovering the righty at an Independent Leagues tryout camp in Arizona.

Frawley, 25, joins the RailCats after spending his first two professional seasons in the Astros system where he advanced as a high as Single-A with the Tri-City ValleyCats. Frawley has posted impressive numbers in his brief pro career earning a 3-0 record and a 1.85 ERA in 39 innings. The Cleveland native has also racked up a staggering 50 strikeouts against only 3 walks while surrendering just one home run during his time in the Astros organization.

Prior to signing with the Astros as a non-drafted free agent in 2009, Frawley attended the University of North Florida where he excelled in three seasons with the Ospreys. Frawley made 37 collegiate appearances including 14 starts and five complete games en route to a 10-2 record over 121.4 innings. A 2009 Second Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference honoree, Frawley struck 87 batters with just 14 walks while excelling with a 3.04 ERA as a member of the Ospreys. Frawley was also named Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Week twice during his collegiate career (April 13, 2009 and March 23, 2009).

The addition of Frawley gives the RailCats 17 players under contract for the 2011 season joining fellow pitchers James Baker, Zeb Engle, Derrick Gordon, Jeremy Hauer, Aaron Jenkins, Will Krout, Nolan Nicholson, and Carlos Rivas; infielders Chris Carrara, Brian Kolb and Louis Ott; catchers John Parham and Mike Valadez; outfielders Adam Klein, Mike Massaro and Cody McMorris. All 17 players will be part of an at least 28-man squad when the RailCats open Spring Training on April 30 at U. S. Steel Yard.

Tickets for the RailCats home opener against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Friday, May 20 at 7:10 p.m. are on sale now at www.railcatsbaseball.com or by calling the RailCats at 219.882.2255. For a limited time while supplies last, buy four tickets to Opening Night featuring “Burning Man” Ted Batchelor and receive a free RailCats player hat. Season tickets, mini plans and group tickets are also available for the entire 2011 season.