FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 2, 2019
CONTACT: Max Thoma
[email protected]

GARY, IND. — The Gary SouthShore RailCats announced the re-signing of outfielder Sean Guida prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Texas AirHogs. To make room for Guida on the active 23-man roster the ‘Cats placed right-handed pitcher Robbie Coursel on irrevocable waivers.

Guida signed his first professional baseball contract with Gary on May 5th and appeared in 12 games. The Summit, N.J., native had slashed .088/.262/.118/.380 with five runs, three hits, one double, four RBIs and one stolen base in his first stint with Gary. Guida made his professional baseball debut as a defensive replacement in the season opener on May 17th against Chicago and went 0-for-2 with a four-pitch walk. Guida recorded his first hit and went 1-for-3 with two runs, an RBI and a hit by pitch in his first pro start on May 23rd vs. Sioux City.

In four years at Roanoke College, Guida put up an impressive career slash line of .352/.435/.520, including eight home runs and 113 RBsI. His most impressive collegiate season was his last as he put up career highs in doubles (17), homeruns (7), RBI (40), walks (31), avg. (.403), OBP (.505) and SLG (.699).

The addition of the 22-year-old rookie will give the RailCats more position player depth as they switch out a pitcher for an outfielder. Now Gary has five outfielders on the active roster, not including John Price Jr. who remains on the Inactive list after fracturing his wrist.

Coursel began the season with Gary and went 2-2 with an 8.69 ERA in eight games (three starts) in his first stint with the club. In 19.2 innings the right-hander allowed 19 earned runs on 25 hits and 11 walks while striking out 12 batters. The 25-year-old threw 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in the RailCats home opener back on May 21st vs. Sioux City and recorded his first professional win on May 25th vs. Sioux Falls after allowing one earned run while striking out three over three innings out of the bullpen. Coursel tossed a career-high five scoreless innings and yielded just two hits and a walk while striking out five in his first professional start on May 31st vs. Kansas City.

After being placed on irrevocable waivers on June 16th, Coursel re-signed with the club on Sunday and threw 2.2 innings in relief against the T-Bones, allowing one earned run. The Michigan City, Ind., native began his Independent Professional Baseball career with Gary in 2018 after signing with the ‘Cats on August 13th. Coursel made five relief appearances and finished the year with a 9.45 ERA. He started 2018 with the Bristol Pirates (Rookie Affiliate of the Pirates).

Gary begins their second of two 10-game road trips on Tuesday in the Lone Star State against the Texas AirHogs at 7:05 p.m. RailCats left-hander Trevor Lubking (4-3, 3.90) makes his team-high 11th start in the series opener against AirHogs right-hander Kevin Hilton (2-4, 3.44).

Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard for the start of their season-long 10-game homestand on Friday, July 12th at 7:10 p.m. vs. the Cleburne Railroaders. Friday’s game is Kevin “Bacon” Night, and includes bacon themed concession specials throughout the stadium. Friday’s game is also Nurses Appreciation Night and another Fireworks Friday presented by Fifth Third Bank.

Ticket packages for the 2019 Gary SouthShore RailCats season are available online at railcatsbaseball.com and can also be purchased by calling the RailCats ticket line at (219) 882-BALL. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

–RAILCATS–