GARY, Ind. - The Gary SouthShore RailCats today announced the signing of rookie catcher/outfielder Jordan Comadena to a 2009 contract.  Comadena – who played four years at Purdue – is the first player to be signed to a 2009 contract by RailCats Manager Greg Tagert.

Comadena, 23, batted .270 in his four-year Boilermaker career and helped Purdue to a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game as a senior.  In an injury-plagued 2007, Comadena hit a career-high .340 in 28 games before batting .276 last season to go along with 16 doubles and 25 RBIs.  Patient at the plate, Comadena walked 48 times over his final two seasons against just 43 strikeouts, and scored 69 runs in 82 games.

Comadena also played three seasons with the Madison Mallards of the collegiate Northwoods League, where he was a teammate of 2008 Northern League Rookie of the Year Mike Rohde in 2005 and 2006.  Comadena played for the Mallards from 2005-07 and was a Northwoods League All-Star in 2006 before being named the Mallards’ co-Most Valuable Player the following year.  Comandena boasted a lofty .453 on base percentage with the Mallards in 65 games in 2007, adding 19 stolen bases.

Originally from Normal, Ill., Comadena was an All-State performer at Normal Community West High School as a senior.  In four seasons with the Wildcats, Comadena batted .381 and set six offensive career records en route to earning three All-Conference commendations.

Comadena and the RailCats begin their seventh season at state-of-the-art U. S. Steel Yard Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. against the Joliet JackHammers.  Season tickets, group packages, mini-plans and flex tickets for 2009 are available now by visiting the all-new www.railcatsbaseball.com or calling the RailCats at (219) 882-2255.