GARY, Ind. — After losing a pair of catchers off their 2009 roster in the Northern League Expansion Draft, the Gary SouthShore RailCats have made their first addition to the mix behind the plate, today agreeing to terms with former Valparaiso University star Matt Lenski on a contract for the 2010 season.

Lenski, 23, was the Horizon League’s leading hitter in 2009, batting .406 to lead the Crusaders to their best season in nearly a decade and their first over-.500 season since 1999.  The Milwaukee native’s .406 average was one of the top 50 in Division I and earned the senior First Team All-Horizon League honors and an Academic All-League commendation.  Lenski also led the Horizon League with a .482 on-base percentage and ranked in the top ten in the league in hits (69), RBI (43), doubles (16) and slugging percentage (.588), while starting 42 of Valpo’s 52 games.

After graduating from Marquette High School in Milwaukee, Lenski played two seasons at Madison Area Technical College before joining the Crusaders.  A left-handed hitter, Lenski started 40 times for the Brown and Gold as a junior in 2008 and posted a .339 on-base percentage.  In his two-year career, Lenski was one of the toughest Crusaders to whiff, striking out only 33 times 324 at bats while getting on base 49 times via the walk or hit by pitch.

Lenski is the sixth RailCat to sign a contract for the 2010 season and will be in camp with at least 27 players on May 6 when the team begins Spring Training.  Infielder Chris Carrara and pitchers Aaron Cook, Zach McClellan, Andy Paulun and J.J. Potrikus have also agreed to terms for the upcoming season.  The ‘Cats begin the year on Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at U. S. Steel Yard when they take on the Kansas City T-Bones.

The first chance to see the RailCats in 2010 will be at the second-annual Fan Fest, Saturday, February 20 at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.  Discount presale tickets are on sale now for $20 for adults and $10 for 2010 season ticket holders and kids (age 12 and under).  For more information on the Fan Fest or to buy tickets now call 219.882.2255 or log on to www.railcatsbaseball.com.