GARY, Ind. — Seventh year pro Andy Shipman’s 2009 season didn’t begin the way the former Triple-A reliever had planned, with a rocky start followed by an unceremonious release from the Kansas City T-Bones.  Signed by the Gary SouthShore RailCats days later, Shipman has been perfect in a ‘Cats uniform and today was named the Northern League’s Pitcher of the Week for June 15-21.

The ‘Cats have won seven of their last nine games and went 4-2 last week behind a lights-out bullpen that recorded saves in each of the four wins.  Shipman closed out victories June 15, 17 and 21 with three scoreless innings, notching two of those saves against his former club.  In eight appearances with the RailCats, Shipman has an unblemished 0.00 ERA and four saves, allowing only eight hits and striking out 10 in 9.0 innings.

Shipman, 27, helped the T-Bones beat the RailCats for the Northern League Championship in 2008, earning the win in Game Two of the Championship Series after holding opposing hitters to a .193 average during the regular season.  An All-Star in the Florida State League (A) in 2004 and Southern League (2005), Shipman made 46 appearances and had a 3.81 ERA with the Iowa Cubs (AAA) in 2006 before being plucked away in the Rule 5 Draft by the Oakland Athletics.  Shipman was released by the Athletics midway through the 2008 season before signing in Kansas City.

The Northern League awards a Player and Pitcher of the Week throughout the season.  Shipman is the first RailCats player (pitcher or position player) to be honored by the league this season.  Last year the RailCats won five Pitcher of the Week awards, with eventual Pitcher of the Year Jeremy Plexico claiming the honor three times.  Joliet’s Andrew Pinckney was named the league’s Player of the Week Monday.

Shipman and the RailCats (17-18) will try and continue their winning ways Tuesday night at 7:02 p.m. when they open a three-game series in North Dakota against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (15-17).  Tony Cogan (2-4, 4.21 ERA) will start game one for the ‘Cats opposite right-hander Nick Fellman (1-3, 3.71).  That game will be broadcast live on 89.1 FM, The Lakeshore, and online at www.railcatsbaseball.com.