University of Houston, Oklahoma and UTSA Headline this Week's Roster Additions
March 1, 2019 – With the 2019 season less than three months away, the Victoria Generals continue adding to their roster as they look to defend the Texas Collegiate League title in 2019. This week, the Generals have announced the addition of three players from solid Division I programs from around the area. Ty Abraham (University of Houston), Bennett Laurence (University of Oklahoma), and Jonathan Tapia (UTSA), have all signed on to play for the Generals as they take the field this Summer for their 11th season in the Texas Collegiate League.
Ty Abraham, right-handed pitcher, will bring his solid 6'3" frame to the mound this Summer for the Generals. The Richmond, TX native had an outstanding high school career at George Ranch High School finishing up his senior season as a First Team All-District selection and ranked as the #22 prospect out of high school in Texas (Prep Baseball Report). Ty is the younger brother of former 2011 General Cody Abraham (Mississippi State University).
"We are really excited to add Abraham to our pitching staff this season and know he will do great things on the mound," commented Mike Yokum, Generals Vice President and General Manager. "Abraham comes from a great family with solid baseball roots and we know he will be a solid part of the backbone of our pitching staff."
Outfielder Bennett Laurence, a Rockwall, TX native, will join the team from the University of Oklahoma by way of Rockwall High School. Laurence had a solid senior season hitting .410 with 48 hits, six doubles, two triples, six home runs, 37 RBI's, 39 runs scored, with 23 walks and 14 stolen bases. Laurence was a district 11-6A First-Team All-District selection as well as the #8 ranked outfielder out of high school in the state of Texas. (Perfect Game)
"Bennett brings plenty of speed to the outfield defensively and we look forward to seeing his speed on the base path," stated Yokum. "His skill set plays right into the Generals game plan as we look to advance runners into scoring position."
Jonathan Tapia, a San Antonio native (O'Connor High School), will wrap up his sophomore season at UTSA prior to joining the Generals this Summer. As a freshman, Tapia appeared in 44 games with 30 starts at both infield and outfield. In 2019 (9 games thru 02/28/19) Tapia is off to a great start hitting .357 with 28 at bats, 10 hits, two doubles, one home run, four RBI's, five walks, two stolen bases and an on-base average of .526.
"Jonathan should be a top of the order guy for the Generals setting the table for our RBI guys," stated Yokum. "His quickness will be key for us as we look to score early in the game."
The Victoria Generals will play 56 games with 29 of the games being played here in Victoria at Riverside Stadium. The Generals will begin the 2019 at home on May 29th as they take on the Acadiana Cane Cutters. The 2019 schedule can be found on the Generals website at www.victoriagenerals.com. Follow the Generals on Facebook and Twitter for further updates on the upcoming season. Fans can buy season tickets and merchandise at the team store located at 1307-H East Airline Road, or by calling 361-485-9522.
