The Forest City Owls announced today that pitchers Ryan Hander (pictured right) and Mason McCullough will return to play for the Owls in 2012. The Owls also announced the signing of pitcher Luis Paula from the University of North Carolina.

Currently a junior at Nebraska, Hander will return to the Owls pitching staff this summer. In 2011 with the Owls, Hander finished with a 2-3 record in eight appearances. In 2011 he pitched 48.0 innings and struck out 39 batters. Hander was rated the No. 2 high school prospect in South Dakota by Baseball America in 2009, and was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 39th round of the 2009 MLB Draft. Ryan turned down the big leagues for a spot in the Cornhuskers bullpen.

“We are very fortunate to have Ryan back for a second season,” said head coach Phil Disher. “He will add a lot of depth and experience to our pitching staff and I look for him to be a major contributor. He came very highly recommended to me from both his coaches and former Owl, Konstantine Diamaduros. I am really looking forward to having Ryan on the team this summer.”

The 6-4, 240-pound freshman, McCullough, will return for the Owls in 2012 also. He was late signing in 2011 but will see plenty of action in 2012. The local Crest High standout was ranked No. 6 in North Carolina by Perfect Game and he was ranked the No. 31 right-hander in the nation by Perfect Game. 

“Mason is returning for his second season with the Owls,” said Disher. “He is a Freshman at Chapel Hill and looks to be a back end/closer type for the Tar Heels this year. Being a power arm, he will be a huge asset on the back end of our bullpen as well. We are very fortunate to get such a talented guy.”

Meanwhile, Paula, the 6-3 righty from Chapel Hill will begin his first season with the Owls. He is ranked No. 21 in North Carolina by Impact Baseball and rated a top 1,000 prospect by Perfect Game. Paula was named to the 3A-All-State Team as a Junior and helped lead Northeast Guilford to the Mid-Piedmont 3A Championship.

“Luis is another freshman who will be on the Tar Heels pitching staff,” remarked Disher. “This season he looks to fill a mid-week starter role or be a middle relief guy for them on the weekends. We plan on using him as a starter since he has such a knack for throwing strikes, and has the endurance to pitch late into a game and get the ball in the hands of our bullpen.”

Owls Opening Night is set for May 29th vs. the Asheboro Copperheads.  A limited number of season tickets are still available for the 2012 season. Season Tickets begin at less than $5 a game. For more information about any of the Owls ticket plans, please call the Owls front office at (828)245-0000 to speak to a friendly ticket sales representative. Or please visit us at www.forestcitybaseball.com.

The Forest City Owls are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 16th season in 2012, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 930 alumni drafted and 46 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at http://www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as cpleague). 

Jeremy Boler

(828) 245-0000