FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 16, 2018
Contact: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]

GARY, Ind. — The Gary SouthShore RailCats signed RHP Brendan Jenkins to his first professional baseball contract on Saturday and is active for tonight’s game vs. Sioux City.

Jenkins was named to the West Coast Conference (WCC) Honorable Mention All-Academic Team as a redshirt-senior in 2018 at the University of San Francisco after posting a 2-2 record, a team-best 10 saves and 2.60 ERA in a team-high 30 relief appearances. In 52 innings, Jenkins struck out 61 batters, held opposing hitters to a .215 batting average and allowed only 41 hits and 15 walks.

Prior to the 2018 season, Jenkins pitched for the New Bedford Bay Sox in the New England Collegiate League. In seven starts, Jenkins finished 0-3 with a 3.06 ERA. In 35.1 innings, the right-hander allowed 34 hits and eight walks and struck out 27. 

In 2017, Jenkins garnered USF’s Jonnie Knoble Top Newcomer Award after leading the team with a 1.70 ERA in 30 relief appearances, tied for fourth most in single-season school history. Jenkins struck out 41 hitters in 42.1 innings and allowed 43 hits and 12 walks in his first season for the Dons.

Before transferring to USF, Jenkins pitched at Cuesta College from 2014-2016. As a redshirt-sophomore in 2016, Jenkins went 8-5 with a 2.25 ERA in 15 games (14 starts), striking out 66 batters in 99 innings. As redshirt-freshman in 2015, Jenkins finished 7-3 with a 1.80 ERA and three shutouts in 13 games (11 starts), striking out 50 in 85 innings.

Gary and Sioux City continue their three-game series on Saturday evening at 6:10 p.m. LHP Lars Liguori (1-2, 2.96) makes his first start against his former team and opposes RHP Justin Vernia (2-1, 5.40) in the middle game of the series.

Saturday’s game is Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act, X-Rock 103.9 Classic Rock Night, Hebron and Lowell Community Night, presented by Fifth Third Bank, Pre-Game Autographs, courtesy of AccessAbillities, Inc., and Kids Run the Bases. Bring a ball and pen as RailCats players will be signing autographs on the concourse when gates open and remember to stick after the game as kids get to run the bases.

Jared Shlensky and Brennan Mense bring you all 100 RailCats game this season on WEFM (95.9 FM) and online at railcatsbaseball.com. Ticket packages for the 2018 Gary SouthShore RailCats season are available online at railcatsbaseball.com and can also be purchased by calling the RailCats ticket line at (219) 882-BALL. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.