Felician Athletics - 6/23/08 BASEBALL - Felician Places Two 2008 Seniors In Pro Ball

RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Felician College baseball alumni Nick Riker and Scott VanEs have signed contracts to play professionally with the NYSL Capitols of the New York State League (NYSL).

The NYSL played its inaugural season in 2007. Based in New York City, it is a developmental independent professional league for players who have completed their collegiate eligibility. In 2007, 38 NYSL players went on to sign with affiliated or higher-level independent teams. Riker and VanEs were chosen out of a tryout from among more than 400 candidates who applied to play in the league. The 2008 NYSL season started on Sunday night.

Riker, of Highlands, N.J., is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing/management. A 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher, he started for two seasons at Felician after attending Brookdale Community College, and posted a career record of 9-8. In 2008, he set the single-season Golden Falcon strikeout record with 68, and is fourth on the career list in both victories and strikeouts. Riker is a 2003 graduate of Red Bank Catholic.

VanEs, a pitcher from Secaucus, N.J., is Felician’s all-time leader in appearances, games started, innings and strikeouts. A 2006 all-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference selection, he was 14-15 with a 3.89 earned-run average and five saves as a collegian. A 6-foot-1 right-hander, VanEs is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a 2004 graduate of Secaucus High.

The pair becomes the fifth and sixth former Felician baseball players to sign professional contracts in the nine-year history of the program. Former Golden Falcon first-baseman Frank Quintana (Miami, FL/South Miami), who played collegiately from 2004-07, is 11 for 59 with a double and five RBI in 21 games as a rookie for the independent Texarkana Gunslingers of the Continental Baseball League.

**FELICIAN BASEBALL PLAYERS TO SIGN PRO CONTRACTS**
Player	Year	Franchise	Level	League
Andre Randolph	2003	Staten Island	A	New York-Penn
	2004	Newark	Ind.	Atlantic
Dennis Hulse	2005	New Haven County	Ind.	Can-Am
Frank Quintana	2008	Texarkana	Ind.	Continental
Kenny Vanderhee	2008	Texarkana	Ind.	Continental
Nick Riker	2008	NYSL Capitols	Ind.	New York State
Scott VanEs	2008	NYSL Capitols	Ind.	New York State