June 19, 2006
Ryan Brandt signs with the Gary SouthShore Railcats
Former Methodist pitcher becomes the twenty-first Monarch to sign a professional contract

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  Former Methodist pitcher Ryan Brandt became the twenty-first Monarch to sign a professional contact this week, signing with the Gary SouthShore Railcats.  The Railcats are an independent baseball team in Gary, Indiana that plays in the Northern League.

The right-hander is expected to make a start later this week.  The Railcats, who average over 4,400 fans per home game, are currently 12-17, tied in second place in the Northern Division of the Northern League. 

Brandt wrapped up his playing career with the Monarchs this spring going 7-3 with 91 strikeouts in 101 innings of work.  He was named the USA South Conference Pitcher of the Year as a Junior and is his 294 career strikeouts is the second best all-time in Methodist history.

Brandt is the second Monarch this spring to sign a deal, as 2005 graduate David Hoffman signed in April with the Sioux Falls Canaries.  Methodist also currently has a third former student-athlete playing professionally in Blake Maxwell, who was drafted last spring after his junior year by the Boston Red Sox.  Maxwell is currently pitching for the Greenville Drive, Boston's single A affiliate.  

See all twenty-one Methodist professionals on a new web page in Monarch Baseball called Monarchs in the Pro's.