Updated November 30 1999 12:00 am
Owls Add Three More To Roster
Updated April 25 2008 9:01 am
Owls Add Three More to Roster
The Forest City Owls have signed three players from traditional powerhouses of both division I and Division II college baseball. Mike McKee joins the Owls from the North Carolina Tar Heels, South Carolina Game Cock Heath Hembree will play in Forest City this summer, as will Rich Racobaldo from the top ranked Trojans of Mount Olive College.
Mike McKee will follow head coach Matt Hayes from Spartanburg to Forest City. McKee batted .171 with three doubles and 2 RBI in 13 games for the Stingers in 2007. McKee has seen action in seven games for the Tar Heels in 2008, batting .400 with one double in five at bats. Originally from Arden, NC, McKee graduated from T.C. Roberson High School. He is a junior communications major.
Heath Hembree has seen limited action as a true freshman for a Gamecock squad that has posted 29 wins on the season. In his only appearance of the season, sporting a fastball in the low to mid 90’s, the 6’3”, 190 pound Cowpens, SC native struck out the only batter he faced. During his senior season at Broome High School, Hembree did not pitch due to an injury but showed his prowess as a hitter, posting a .320 batting average as a designated hitter.
Rich Racobaldo comes to Forest City from the top ranked team in Division II and looks to provide some pop to the Owl line up. The 6’2”, 215 pound Marlton, NJ junior boasts a .346 batting average on a team that has already eclipsed the 40 win mark this season. Along with his average, Racobaldo has also garnered some impressive power numbers as well, registering 56 hits, which include 15 doubles and six homeruns. Racobaldo has also shown some speed on the base paths picking up two triples and stealing eight bags in as many attempts.
“We are delighted to have all three of these stand outs on our roster this year” said Owls general manager James Wolfe. “We have had outstanding relationships with all three of these schools while we were in Spartanburg, and I am very happy to continue the partnership now in Forest City.”
If you are interested in providing a summer home for McKee or Racobaldo this summer, contact the Owls at 828-245-0000. Host families are still needed for the 2008 season. Host families provide the player with a spare bedroom and access to a bathroom. The players are responsible for their own food and transportation. Hosting an Owl can establish a relationship with a young man that lasts long after his summer in Forest City.
The Owls will begin play in the Coastal Plain League on May 29, 2008 against the Gastonia Grizzlies.
Mike McKee will follow head coach Matt Hayes from Spartanburg to Forest City. McKee batted .171 with three doubles and 2 RBI in 13 games for the Stingers in 2007. McKee has seen action in seven games for the Tar Heels in 2008, batting .400 with one double in five at bats. Originally from Arden, NC, McKee graduated from T.C. Roberson High School. He is a junior communications major.
Heath Hembree has seen limited action as a true freshman for a Gamecock squad that has posted 29 wins on the season. In his only appearance of the season, sporting a fastball in the low to mid 90’s, the 6’3”, 190 pound Cowpens, SC native struck out the only batter he faced. During his senior season at Broome High School, Hembree did not pitch due to an injury but showed his prowess as a hitter, posting a .320 batting average as a designated hitter.
Rich Racobaldo comes to Forest City from the top ranked team in Division II and looks to provide some pop to the Owl line up. The 6’2”, 215 pound Marlton, NJ junior boasts a .346 batting average on a team that has already eclipsed the 40 win mark this season. Along with his average, Racobaldo has also garnered some impressive power numbers as well, registering 56 hits, which include 15 doubles and six homeruns. Racobaldo has also shown some speed on the base paths picking up two triples and stealing eight bags in as many attempts.
“We are delighted to have all three of these stand outs on our roster this year” said Owls general manager James Wolfe. “We have had outstanding relationships with all three of these schools while we were in Spartanburg, and I am very happy to continue the partnership now in Forest City.”
If you are interested in providing a summer home for McKee or Racobaldo this summer, contact the Owls at 828-245-0000. Host families are still needed for the 2008 season. Host families provide the player with a spare bedroom and access to a bathroom. The players are responsible for their own food and transportation. Hosting an Owl can establish a relationship with a young man that lasts long after his summer in Forest City.
The Owls will begin play in the Coastal Plain League on May 29, 2008 against the Gastonia Grizzlies.