Updated March 20 2017
The Steamers are excited to announce the edition of speedsters Connor Kopach (KO-pak) and Jamie Galazin (GAL-uh-zin) to the 2017 Teal and Black.
Connor Kopach is a member of the Southern Illinois University Salukis of the Missouri Valley conference in NCAA Division I. The redshirt-junior spent the 2016 summer in the Northwoods League with the Kalamazoo Growlers. The Westmont, IL native had a .285/.391/.411/.802 slash line in 270 at bats. This included 10 doubles, three triples and six dingers to go along with 62 runs scored in 69 games. The 6’0 170-pound right-handed bat’s impressive secondary production came with 34 walks and 51 steals in 63 attempts. Defensively, he shined with a 4.81 range factor and .947 fielding average while seeing time at both middle-infield spots.
Kopach was named a midseason all-star and a midseason Major League Dreams player in the Northwoods. The infielder also added postseason all-league honors. On the base paths, his stolen-base figure set the single-season Northwoods League record and he was second in the circuit in runs scored last summer.
Kopach is a gritty sparkplug who impacts the game at the plate, on the base paths and defensively in the field. He also has the ability to play short and center field due to his range, hands and instincts. Offensively, Kopach does a lot of desirable things in the leadoff spot and threatens pitchers right away due to his combination of pop, patience and ability to hit for average; and that is before he reaches base.
Kopach is reprising the role as the leadoff man and everyday second baseman for the Salukis this season. At roughly the one-third mark of this spring, he is slashing .295/.389/.538/.927 with 14 extra-base hits and 12 bases on balls in 78 at bats, buttressed by 10 of 12 in steals. With the glove, Kopach has posted a .971 fielding average and 5.47 range factor all at second base.
Jamie Galazin will come to the Teal and Black from the St John’s University Red Storm in New York City out of the Big East in NCAA Division I. The 6’4” 195-pound right-handed bat spent last summer in the Hamptons Collegiate League with the Montauk Mustangs. The Langhorne, PA native had a .346/.420/.484/.904 slash line in 159 at bats with eight doubles, four homers and 26 stolen bags while only being caught once. The right-handed outfielder was named a midseason all-star and was second in the Hamptons in steals.
Galazin runs like a gazelle and covers a ton of ground in center field. Between his strides and top-end speed, he gives the Steamers another outstanding defender who can play in the middle of the field. He also has a plus arm and even closed some games last summer for the Mustangs, but is not being developed on the mound this spring at St. John’s. At the plate, Galazin has made marked gains last summer and this spring. He is another premium base-stealer for the Clams and profiles nicely at the top or bottom of a lineup. Galazin is the everyday centerfielder for the Red Storm this season. Through 16 games for the top-10 ranked program, he has put up .328/.391/.459/.850 averages with six extra-base hits, six walks and six steals in 61 at bats. In center, it has been errorless baseball with a range factor close to 3.00.
The Edenton Steamers will proudly be celebrating their 20th anniversary season as a member of the Coastal Plain League in 2017. The season will begin on Tuesday May 30th when the Morehead City Marlins visit Historic Hicks Field. Be sure to follow the Teal and Black on social media to stay up to date with all things Steamers. You can find the team on Facebook @EdentonSteamers, Twitter @EdentonCPL, Instagram @edentonsteamers, and Snapchat @edentonsteamers. For more information visit edentonsteamers.com or call (252) 482-4080.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 22nd season in 2018, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had over 1,450 alumni drafted and 111 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @CPLBaseball..Contact:Elijah Gonzalez
Phone:(252)482-4080