The Victoria Generals at set to open the 2013 Texas Collegiate League Season on Thursday in The Woodlands against the Woodlands Strykers. The Generals have made their final roster additions in preparation for opening day.
Joining the Generals from Southeastern Louisiana University are infielder Brett Hoffman and right-handed pitcher Kyle Keller. Aaron Morgan, a catcher from Ranger College, has also been added.
“We’re excited to get the 2013 season underway,” commented Blake Koch, Victoria’s vice president and general manager. “We feel that we’ve put together another solid roster with great players from top to bottom.”
Brett Hoffman, a sophomore at Southeastern Louisiana, hit .265 on the season with two doubles, 16 RBIs, 14 runs scored, and 15 walks while appearing in 52 games for the Lions.
Hoffman, a native of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, hit .212 as a freshman with seven doubles and 16 RBIs to go along with 25 walks.
“Brett gives us another solid bat from the left side,” Koch stated. “Brett is a versatile infielder and will give us the option of using him as a third or second baseman.”
Kyle Keller, a sophomore at Southeastern Louisiana, appeared in eight games on the season and struck out 10 batters in 13 innings to go along with a 1.38 ERA.
Keller, a native of New Orleans, appeared in six games as a freshman with one start and went 1-0 on the season.
“Kyle will have the opportunity to come in and eat up a lot of innings for us this summer,” Koch commented. “He’s another good addition to our pitching staff.”
Aaron Morgan, a sophomore at Ranger College, hit .303 on the season with 10 doubles, three triples, four home runs, 35 RBIs, 37 runs scored, 33 walks, and three stolen bases.
The Generals added Morgan, a native of Beaumont, to help fill the void left at the catcher position as their other two backstops have qualified for post-season play with their respective colleges. C.J. Manning of St. Edward’s University and John Bormann of UT-San Antonio will join the Generals later in the summer.
“Aaron will be a big help for us while we wait on our other two catchers to arrive in Victoria,” stated Koch. “Aaron is extremely athletic and can help us some in the outfield as well.”
The Generals are set to report to camp today and will have a team meeting at Riverside Stadium tonight. They will have their first and only team practice on Wednesday, May 29 before hitting the road to open the season in The Woodlands against the Woodlands Strykers on Thursday, May 30. The Generals will then travel to Lafayette, Louisiana for two games against the Acadiana Cane Cutters before returning home to Victoria for the home opener.
The Generals home opener is on Tuesday, June 4 at 7:05pm at Riverside Stadium against the Texas Marshals. Magnet schedules will be given away to the first 1,000 fans in attendance courtesy of City Mortgage Group.
Season tickets for all 30 of the Generals home games this season are on sale now. Fans can buy tickets and team merchandise at the Generals team store located at 1307 East Airline Road, Suite H in the Town& Country Shopping Center, online at www.VictoriaGenerals.com, or by calling 361-485-9522.
