July 10, 2007

UTICA, N.Y. - Former North Carolina Central University outfielder Marcus Mack has signed a professional baseball contract with the Utica Brewmasters of the New York State League of Professional Baseball.

The sweet-swinging lefty out of Fayetteville, N.C. recorded a .330 batting average (38-for-115) in 43 games during his senior season, while adding 45 runs scored, 29 runs batted in, four doubles, six triples, three home runs, 42 walks and 37 stolen bases.

Among NCAA Division II leaders during the 2007 campaign, Mack ranked third in stolen bases (0.86 per game), fifth in walks (0.98 per game) and 14th in triples (0.14 per game).

The New York State League conducted a three-day tryout which started on June 27 with 1,500 athletes in three different cities. Mack was one of the 80 players selected for the league draft, which was held on July 1. After a practice the next day, Mack was the starting designated hitter for the Brewmasters in their season-opener on July 3, which drew a crowd of 2,776 fans.

The New York State League is a professional baseball league designed to offer first year players who have finished their collegiate eligibility the opportunity to advance to higher level independent leagues.

The four teams in the League will play a 50-game schedule at Murnane Field in Utica, N.Y. The season will finish with a championship game on August 31.

For more information about the New York State League of Professional Baseball, visit http://www.nystateleague.com.