GARY, Ind. — Side-arming reliever Aaron Cook has helped the Gary SouthShore RailCats reach the Northern League Championship Series each of the last two years, and today the club announced the Florida native will be back on the U. S. Steel Yard mound for a third season after agreeing to terms on a 2010 contract.

Cook, 26, has had success at every stop in his four-year professional career and has been an integral piece of the RailCats bullpen each of the last two seasons.  Acquired just before the 2008 roster freeze, Cook was lights-out down the stretch that season and dominated in the playoffs, allowing only three baserunners in 4.2 innings.  After starting 2009 as the RailCats closer, Cook found comfort back in a setup role, posting a 1.66 ERA and allowing just 29 baserunners in 21.2 innings over his final 17 appearances of the season.

Cook’s 2009 campaign nearly came to an end on July 15, when the right-hander fractured his leg fielding a ground ball at U. S. Steel Yard.  Cook returned on August 29 – just days before the end of the regular season – and went on to pitch exceptionally well in the playoffs, working four times in nine games and allowing two hits and no runs in 5.1 innings.

Selected in the 35th round of the 2006 Major League Entry Draft, Cook began his Angels career that summer before a dominating 2007 in the Midwest League (A), when he boasted a 0.80 ERA in 25 games for Cedar Rapids.  Cook reached Double-A in 2008 before being released and signing with the RailCats.

A college closer, Cook won a Division II National Championship at the University of Tampa in 2006.  Cook was a two-time All-Sunshine State Conference honoree at Tampa and led his team to an impressive 94 wins in two seasons.  Cook pitched in 60 games for the Spartans and went 17-2 with a 1.87 ERA and 22 saves.

Cook is the fourth RailCat to sign a 2010 contract, joining fellow pitchers Zach McClellan, Andy Paulun and J.J. Potrikus.  The RailCats will have at least 27 players in camp when the team opens Spring Training on May 6.

Cook and the RailCats begin the 2010 regular season on Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at U. S. Steel Yard against the Kansas City T-Bones.  Season tickets, mini-plans, group outings and more are on sale now by calling the RailCats at 219.882.2255 or visiting www.railcatsbaseball.com.