RELEASE DATE: 1/24/07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mansfield's Colby Rickabaugh Signs With Slippery Rock Sliders Pro Baseball Team

Slippery Rock, PA – Mountaineer graduate and All-American Colby Rickabaugh has signed a contract for the 2007 baseball season to play for the Slippery Rock Sliders in their inaugural season in the frontier league.

Rickabaugh hit .377 in 55 games for the Mountaineers last spring, leading the team in doubles (17) and rbi's (57) while tying for the team lead in triples (3) and home runs (7).  He also made 17 relief appearances as Mansfield’s closer, finishing with a 2-2 record, four saves, and a 3.96 ERA. 

Rickabaugh was honored for his pitching in 2005, compiling a 1-0 record with four saves and a 2.49 ERA in 12 games.  In the field, he hit .255 with five home runs and 36 rbi.

He earned first team All-PSAC honors in each of his seasons at Mansfield and was named an All-American in 2006.

“Colby is the best all-around outfielder in the PSAC that I’ve seen in a long time,” said Slippery Rock University head coach Jeff Messer.  “He is a complete ballplayer with a huge upside”

The Slippery Rock Sliders will begin their inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom.  32 home games will be played during the summer at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.

Additional information about Slippery Rock Professional Baseball can be found at www.srprobaseball.com or by contacting the team at 724-738-4903.