Pair Of NCAA I Transfers To Play For Rams

MOBILE, Ala-- The University of Mobile baseball added four more players to its 2011 roster Friday, including a pair of NCAA I transfers. Michael Raia comes to Mobile from South Alabama, Sam Mahoney is transferring from Ohio University, Hunter Brown comes to Mobile through Jefferson Davis CC and Erskine College, and Cory Fountain is coming back to Mobile after spending a year at Shelton State.

Raia prepped at Farihope and spent the last three years as a reliever for the Jags. He struck out 37 batters in 49 innings in his career at USA, including 7 in 6 innings last year. He posted a 3.71 ERA in 2008 and logged a career high 26 innings in 2009.

"Michael is a big, strong, physical kid with tremendous arm strength," Mobile Head Coach Mike Jacobs said. "He possesses an excellent slider and has the ability to throw in the upper 80's to low 90's."

Mahoney is a 6-5 catcher who has traveled from University of South Carolina to Okaloosa Walton and last year, Ohio University. He started 10 games and played in 17 overall while popping 2 home runs at Ohio.

"Sam has a cannon for an arm and hits from the left side with power," Jacobs said. "He is expected to be a difference maker for us."

Fountain, who prepped at St. Paul's, will be a sophomore familiar with the Mobile campus after playing for the Rams in 2009. He logged 50 innings that year with a 3-3 record and 27 strikeouts. He had 9 scoreless appearances.

"Cory is a left-handed pitcher and was one of the most impressive arms on the staff by the end of 2009," Jacobs said. "The staff is excited about his return."

Lastly, right-hander Hunter Brown brings another arm to Mobile. He did not play at Erskine College last season, but logged 58 innings for Jefferson Davis in 2009. He went 6-3 and struck out 51 hitters in those 58 innings.

"Hunter can throw three pitches for strikes and changes speed well," Jacobs said. "He will be in the mix for a weekend rotation spot."