RICHMOND, Ky. -- Michael Martini, lefthanded pitcher from Harrisburg, PA, has enrolled at Eastern Kentucky University and has decided to play baseball for coach Jim Ward's EKU Colonels.

Martini played this past season for Essex Junior College of Baltimore, MD. He compiled a 1998 record of 5-3 with 61 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings. He was nominated for Junior College All-American as well as Student Athlete Who Contributed Most to the Essex Athletic Program. He also received his team's Most Valuable Pitcher award this past year.

"Michael fills a need that we have for a lefthanded pitcher," said Ward. "He has an excellent split-finger fastball and is expected to make a contribution on our pitching staff."

Martini played at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg where he pitched and led the team in hitting his junior year with a .425 batting average.

He is currently playing for Grandslam USA in the 18-20 year-old Maryland Wooden Bat League. Last summer, Martini pitched for the Little Baltimore Orioles who traveled the East Coast and were coached by Pat O'Malley, Associate Scout for the Orioles.

He will be an accounting major at EKU this fall.

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