NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – After a phenomenal season that saw him lead the Atlantic-10 in several offensive categories, incoming North Adams outfielder Jeff Roy (Cranston, R.I.) was tabbed the A-10 Player of the Year, the league announced Wednesday.

Among a group of seven URI players to earn recognition by the league for their efforts during the regular season, it was Roy’s dominant year in the leadoff spot that truly stood out. The sophomore started all 56 regular-season games for the Rams, leading the team with a .364 batting average on 82 hits.

Roy finished the regular season leading the A-10 in hits (82), runs (59) and triples (5). He also batted .421 in conference games (40-for-95) and reached base in a league-best 41 consecutive games in addition to leading the Rams with 22 infield singles (13 bunts), seven outfield assists, a .498 slugging percentage and a .449 on-base percentage. He currently ranks second on the team with 21 stolen bases.

With the postseason beginning this week, the third-seeded Rams open play at the 2012 Atlantic 10 Championship today, when they take on sixth-seeded Saint Joseph's. First pitch at Fordham's Houlihan Park is slated for 3:30 p.m.

The winner of the six-team, double-elimination tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament next week.

Should the Rams fail to advance, the SteepleCats will welcome Roy and fellow URI teammates Nick Narodowy (North Smithfield, R.I.) and Shane O’Connell (Cranston, R.I.) to the Berkshires next weekend on Sunday, June 3, when they and the remainder of the SteepleCats 2012 roster arrive in town to begin the season.

The SteepleCats begin play on Thursday, June 7, with a road tilt at Sanford before hosting Vermont the following day, June 8, for a 6:30 p.m. showdown, after which the organization will host its first postgame fireworks celebration of the season.

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With the 2012 NECBL season right around the corner, fans are encouraged to save on admission by purchasing season tickets to save 33 percent off the price of regular admission. To inquire about ticket purchases, visit Val’s Variety in Adams; Creations or Man’s World Styling Salon in North Adams; Billmont’s Country Store in Stamford, VT; by calling 413-663-7333; or visiting shopsteeplecats.com. For more information, visit www.steeplecats.com.

The SteepleCats are seeking additional members of the community who wish to join the organization and contribute in a variety of roles. The organization also is seeking additional host families for the upcoming season. Anyone interested in helping contribute to the SteepleCats success in any capacity may contact the organization directly at steeplecats_gm@roadrunner.com; anyone interested in serving as a host family may contact Housing Coordinator Judy McConnell at jmaharpt@yahoo.com.

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For more information and interviews, please contact:

Chris Aliano
Team Broadcaster/Media Relations Assistant
caliano89@gmail.com