FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2019
CONTACT: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]

GARY, IND. — The Gary SouthShore RailCats signed outfielder Nick Herzog to his first American Association contract before Saturday’s series finale vs. the Milwaukee Milkmen. In order to make room for Herzog on the 23-man active roster, Gary placed right-handed pitcher River Carbone on irrevocable waivers.

Herzog signed his first professional baseball contract with the Santa Fe Fuego of the PECOS following his senior season at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. In 25 games with the Fuego, Herzog slashed .356/.460/.685/1.145 with 23 runs, 26 hits, six doubles, six home runs, 20 RBIs, three stolen bases and eight hit by pitches. Herzog reached base safely in 21 of his 25 games and reached base safely in his last 10 games with Santa Fe.

A native of Riverhead, N.Y., Herzog ranks first in school history in career games played (188) and triples (12) and set a single-season school record in triples (12) and total bases (146) as a senior in 2019. Over his four-year career from 2016-19, Herzog slashed .309/.401/.482/.883 with 137 runs, 184 hits, 31 doubles, 15 triples, 14 home runs, 60 extra-base hits, 141 RBIs and 54 stolen bases in 189 games played.

Before signing with Santa Fe, Herzog was named the ABCA Division III Player of the Year, the NEIBA/ABCA New England Player of the Year, the NCAA Regional Tournament Most Outstanding Player, ABCA First Team All-American, D3Baseball.com Second Team All-American, D3Baseball.com First Team All-New England Region and First Team All-Little Conference as a senior at UMass Boston. Herzog helped the Beacons reach the Division III College World Series Semifinals for the first time in school history and slashed a team-best .357/.433/.695/1.128 with 59 runs, 75 hits, 14 doubles, 12 triples, 11 home runs, 37 extra-base hits, 57 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 51 games.

As a junior in 2018, Herzog led the Beacons with 18 stolen bases and slashed .272/.376/.352/.728 with 33 runs, 44 hits, six doubles, two triples, one home run, nine extra-base hits and 34 RBIs in 47 games. As a sophomore in 2017, Herzog was named the NCAA New England Regional MVP and finished the season with a .291/.385/.370/.755 slash line. In 50 games, Herzog also posted 33 runs, 55 hits, seven doubles, one triple, two home runs, 10 extra-base hits, 40 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. As a freshman in 2016, Herzog slashed .286/.419/.400/.819 with 12 runs, 10 hits, four doubles, 10 RBIs and three stolen bases in 41 games.

Carbone signed his first professional baseball contract with Gary before Friday’s game vs. Milwaukee and allowed three runs on six hits over four innings of relief in his pro debut. The right-hander retired nine of the last 10 hitters he faced, walked none and struck out four.

A native of Downington, Pa., Carbone recently completed his senior season at Arizona Christian University and was named to the All-Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Team for the second straight season after going 0-3 with a team-high 12 saves and a 2.79 ERA in 22 relief appearances. In 29 innings pitched, Carbone allowed 11 runs (nine earned) on 27 hits and nine walks while striking out 39 batters.
Following the college season, Carbone pitched for the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders of the Northwoods Summer Collegiate Baseball League. In 19 games (three starts), Carbone went 2-3 with three saves and a 4.03 ERA. In 42.1 innings pitched, Carbone allowed 22 runs (19 earned) on 32 hits and 15 walks while striking out 43 hitters.

As a junior in 2018 at ACU, Carbone was named to the All-GSAC Team for the first time after going 2-2 with four saves and a 3.15 ERA in 25 games (one start). In 40 innings pitched, Carbone yielded 20 runs (14 earned) on 40 hits and eight walks while striking out 30.

During the summer of 2018, Carbone pitched for the Chugiak Chinooks of the Alaska Summer Collegiate Baseball League. In 16 relief appearances, Carbone allowed 11 runs (nine earned) on 22 hits and three walks while striking out 11 hitters over 19 innings pitched.

As a sophomore in 2017, Carbone pitched collegiately at Scottsdale Community College. In 23 relief outings, Carbone finished 1-3 with four saves and a 4.91 ERA. In a career-high 51 innings pitched, Carbone allowed 49 runs (28 earned) on 66 hits and 25 walks while striking out 31. Carbone began his collegiate career in 2015 as a true freshman at Maine University but didn’t pitch and received a medical redshirt due to illness.

Gary concludes its six-game homestand on Saturday night at 6:10 p.m. vs. Milwaukee. RailCats’ southpaw Trevor Lubking (5-9, 4.58) makes his league-leading 21st start against Milkmen right-hander Joey Wagman (1-2, 5.40) in the rubber game.

Saturday’s game is the sixth annual Clunker Car Night and AmeriCAN Beer Fest, presented by Berey Bros. Saturday’s series finale is also another Accessibilities Signature Saturday, featuring pre-game autographs with the team, and Kids Run the Bases. Don’t miss on an opportunity to take home a used car during our final AmeriCAN Beer Fest of the season.

Ticket packages for the 2019 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.

--RAILCATS--