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• NYCBL All-League Team

Justin James

Justin James, a starting pitcher for the Ave Maria University baseball team, was chosen to the New York Collegiate Baseball League’s First Team. The NYCBL is a summer wood bat development league for professional baseball. The league gives college players who have not yet signed a professional contract the opportunity to develop their skills at a higher level of play, gain experience with wood bats, and be evaluated by scouts.

James, who will be a junior this year for the Gyrenes, led the Allegheny Nitros with 51 strikeouts over 47.1 innings pitched and a 5-2 record. He limited opponents to just a .207 batting average and finished the summer season with a 2.28 earned run average. He was also named to the league’s All-Prospect Team. 

In addition to making the NYCBL First Team, James was Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 12, 2010.

As posted on the NYCBL website, “Justin James pitched a two-hitter over eight innings and struck out 10 as Allegany County defeated rival Hornell 8-2 on July 16 at Hornell’s Maple City Park. The only hits allowed by James were back-to-back singles to start the fifth inning. He allowed two runs, walked five and retired the side in order in five of his eight frames. James struck out five of the last eight Hornell batters he faced. 

Last year at Ave Maria, James went 5-4 with 9 complete games and 73 innings pitched. He led the team with 77 strikeouts while limiting the opposition to a .258 batting average.

The Gyrenes have signed 12 new student-athletes for the upcoming 2011 season. The addition of several recruits and the return of 18 players from last year’s squad will make for an exciting season for the Gyrenes entering their first season as a member of the NAIA’s Sun Conference. 

Justin James and the NYCBL All-League Team can be found by clicking the related link.