GARY, Ind. — The Gary SouthShore RailCats anchored the bullpen today agreeing to terms for the upcoming season with 2009 Northern League Reliever of the Year Andy Shipman, the franchise’s first ever recipient of the award.

Shipman, 28, enjoyed an outstanding season in 2009 as the RailCats closer, leading the league in saves (14) and games finished (35) and participating in the Northern League All-Star Game.  After appearing in just five games for Kansas City T-Bones before being released, the hard-throwing righty signed with Gary in June and posted an impressive 1.85 ERA in 39 innings, helping the RailCats reach the Northern League Championship Series for a fifth consecutive year.  

The ‘Cats closer held 2009 opponents to a paltry .210 batting average, allowing only 29 hits while striking out 34 and walking just 11.  During the month of June, Shipman was especially dominant, posting a 0.82 ERA, collecting six saves in 11 innings and striking out 12.  

Despite not being drafted coming out of the University of Missouri, Shipman has enjoyed a solid nine-year professional career compiling 364 strikeouts in 420.1 innings.  The Nebraska native spent a summer in the Alaska Baseball League and performed well enough to earn a contract from the Boston Red Sox in 2003.

In 2004, Shipman saved 13 games for Sarasota (A) in the Red Sox system.  After an appearance in the Florida State League All-Star Game in 2003 – for his performance in Sarasota – Shipman was promoted to West Tenn (AA) in 2005 and saved 15 games for the Diamond Jaxx, grabbing a spot on the Southern League’s Mid-Season All-Star Team.

Shipman pitched the majority of 2006 at Triple-A Iowa in the Chicago Cubs system, going 2-3 and posting a 3.81 ERA in 56.2 innings.  Shipman struck out 43 at Iowa and finished the year with 11 lights-out appearances back at Double-A.  Following the 2006 season, Shipman was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the Triple-A segment of the Rule 5 Draft, and spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons with Midland (AA) in the Athletics organization.  Shipman finished the 2008 season as a key contributor for the Northern League Champion Kansas City T-Bones.

Shipman is the 12th RailCat to sign a contract for the 2010 season and will be in camp with at least 28 players on May 6 when the team begins Spring Training.  Shipman joins fellow pitchers Aaron Cook, Zach McClellan, Andy Paulun and J.J. Potrikus; infielders, Jeff Beachum, Chris Carrara and Mike Rohde; catcher Matt Lenski; and outfielders Adam Klein and Mike Massaro.  The ‘Cats open the season on Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at U. S. Steel Yard when they take on the Kansas City T-Bones.

The RailCats also made a minor move Wednesday sending pitcher Jeff Fischer to the Joliet Jackhammers to complete the August 16 trade which sent infielder Andrew Pinckney to the RailCats.  Fischer’s rights returned to the RailCats at the conclusion of the 2009 season as a stipulation of the June 22 trade with the Frontier League’s Midwest Sliders.

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.