by Namur Angels, www.namur-angels.be
After adding a solid catcher in Mike Perkins a few weeks ago, Namur was still looking to add a quality arm to complement a young but talented pitching staff.
Justin Latta, who played 3 years at the University of Maine, a top NCAA D1 program, will fill up that role.
The 24 year old Latta, who was a relief pitcher for most of his career, enjoyed a great senior season with the Black Bears where he became the most reliable guy out of the pen, getting the closer’s role in final college year.
In 2010, Latta’s impressive numbers for the Black Bears (38 K – 17BB in 46.7 IP), earned him a 4-2 record with 5 saves and a 3.13 ERA, the second lowest on the team.
The road to success was all but easy for the Lubbock (TX) native. He went through a shoulder surgery in 2004 and battled shoulder issues until 2009.
That summer, he took the decision to change his delivery, dropping to a sidearm/submarine delivery that allowed him to pitch pain-free, fulfilling his potential and setting a school record 30 appearances in 2010 that helped his team to a 34-22 record. That performance earned him an All Conference 1st Team selection.
Loaded with 2 solid imports – who aren’t totally unfamiliar with each other as they squared off in the championship game of the New York Collegiate Baseball League in 2007 – Namur is now ready to attack the pre-season schedule that will start with a tournament at Hoboken Pioneers, the reigning Belgian champion, the 12th and 13th of March