The fifth-ranked team in the southern division of the Baseball-Bundesliga in Germany, the SAARLOUIS HORNETS, announced this week on their website that the two pitchers Ales Keprta and John Patrick Carlson will stay with the club for the upcoming season.
The 27-year-old Czech national team player Keprta had a 7-7 record and an ERA of 2.84 in 14 starts for the HORNETS last year. He struck out 70 in 107 2/3 innings (2nd in the league), while walking 41. He will remain one of the two starting pitchers.
Carlson is 24 year old and joined SAARLOUIS last winter, coming over from the French Elite League club PARIS UC. The member of the French national team is supposed to play first base and will pitch in relief next season. In 2008 he also filled in behind the plate and in the outfield. He had an ERA of 5.93 in 30 1/3 innings with 23 strikeouts and 28 base on balls. He had a batting average of .213 (OBP .368/SLG .293) in 75 at-bats.