Weagle Cited as Top Prospect in Division II by Baseball America
Charlton, Mass., native expected to have big junior season

RINDGE, N.H. (January 22, 2003) - Franklin Pierce junior righthander Matt Weagle (Charlton, Mass./Shepherd Hill) has been named the No. 4 Top Pro Prospect by Baseball America magazine in the 2003 College Preview included in its February 3 issue.

Weagle, an American Baseball Coaches of America (ABCA)/Rawlings All-Region selection as a freshman, suffered a slight sophomore slump in 2002, posting a 4-5 record with a 4.96 earned run average and 85 strikeouts (3rd in the Northeast-10) in 73 innings of work. After dropping his first five decisions of the spring, he posted four-straight wins with a 2.32 ERA and 51 strikeouts and just 13 walks over his final 42.2 innings of work (10.76 Ks/9IP) down the stretch to help lead the Ravens to the 2002 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division II Championship.

Weagle is coming off an outstanding summer with the Lowell Mill City All-Americans of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL). He posted a 1-2 record with two saves, a 1.38 ERA (5th NECBL) and 48 strikeouts and just nine walks in 52.1 innings.

As a freshman, Weagle posted a 6-1 record, 4.07 ERA and 62 strikeouts with just 18 walks in 73 innings. He enters the 2003 season ranked fifth in program history with ten career wins, third with 147 career strikeouts and his 4.54 career ERA is good for third all-time.

Joining Weagle as a Division II Top Prospect by Baseball America, in order, are shortstop Ryan Coultas (California Davis), righthanded pitcher Grant Reynolds (Kennesaw State), righthanded pitcher Ben Parker (Abilene Christian) and third baseman Andy Dillard (Delta State).

Franklin Pierce, among teams receiving votes in both the Collegiate Baseball magazine and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II preseason polls, is scheduled to open its season on Saturday, March 8, when it faces Suffolk University and Framingham State College at the 2003 Cape Cod Baseball Tournament at Nauset High School in North Eastham, Mass.