Mattison & DeRatt Enjoy Good Seasons in South Atlantic League

The UNC Asheville baseball program had two its former players playing in the South Atlantic League this past summer and both of them had solid seasons.

Former Bulldog right-hander pitcher Alan DeRatt became the first UNC Asheville player to ever play for the hometown Asheville Tourists. DeRatt spent most of the season coming out of the bullpen until being moved to the starting rotation in July. He ended up being a key player for the Tourists as they went from worst-to-first as they won the Southern Division second-half title.

The 2008 Big South Pitcher of the Year went 2-4 for Asheville with a 5.03 ERA. He pitched 78.2 innings with 71 strikeouts and 18 walks. As a starter, DeRatt went 1-2 with eight starts and a 3.51 ERA. He struck out 34 hitters and walked just six in 33.1 innings of work.

Former Bulldog outfielder Kevin Mattison was having an excellent year before a finger injury in late July sidelined him for the rest of the year. Kevin was the Greensboro Grasshoppers starting center-fielder this season. He finished with a .250 batting average with 15 home runs and 17 RBI. Mattison was second in the league in stolen bases with 41 before getting injured. His 15 home runs were still second best on the team despite Mattison missing the last month of the year.

"I'm very proud of both Alan and Kevin this year," stated Bulldog coach Tom Smith. "Alan kept battling and really did the job for the Tourists when he was made a starter.

"Kevin was having a big year until he got hurt. He showed some real power this year along with his great speed," added Smith.