NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – It took Evan Scribner nearly five years and 250 games between two minor league organizations, but the hard work and determination by the right-handed hurler and North Adams SteepleCat alumnus (’05) has finally paid off in 2012 with the Oakland A’s.

Scribner, who spent the 2005 season in the Berkshires donning the black and yellow, has enjoyed a long journey through the minor leagues and has climbed to the game’s highest ranks this year, cementing a spot in the bullpen for an Oakland squad that has found itself in the midst of a penant race in the American League.

The New Milford, Conn., native and former Central Connecticut State player has cruised to the tune of a 0.00 ERA in eight appearances this spring and summer, notching his first Big League save in the process on June 15 while holding opponents to a .161 batting average and posting a strong 0.78 WHIP.

Scribner’s journey began back in 2007 after he was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 28th round of the 2007 MLB Draft. He started his career with the Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League (Rookie) before finishing the year with the South Bend Silver Hawks of the Midwest League, earning a win and posting a 2.61 ERA in 10.1 innings in his first professional season.

After being traded to the San Diego Padres organization midway through 2008, Scribner enjoyed a strong season at High-A Lake Elsinore of the California League in his second full season. He would then spend two years at Double-A San Antonio of the Texas League before making his MLB debut in 2011, coming up late in the season to represent the Padres.

But in 2012, Scribner has found his role with the A’s, and after an earlier stint with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, the righty made his Oakland debut on June 10 and has been with the team ever since as the A’s began their charge up the AL Wild Card standings.

Scribner was a member of the 2005 SteepleCats and posted a 3.62 ERA in eight starts with North Adams. He tossed one complete game over a team-high 54.2 innings and struck out 48 while walking only eight over the course of the season.