Ashworth, Inghram, and Ferris Return to Hill for Mainers

The Sanford Mainers didn't end last season the way they would have liked to, but this season a few players will return to write a new script for the green and yellow.

Among the returners are pitchers EJ Ashworth, Jason Inghram, and Jerry Ferris. The three claimed the top of the Mainers pitching staff last year with stellar numbers.

Ashworth hails from Fairfield University where he is completing his second year with the Stags. Last year, he completed the Mainers season with a 2-1 record and a 2.93 earned run average in 30.2 innings of work. Ashworth's two best performances came against the New Bedford Bay Sox, pitching 7 innings each and allowing only 2 runs.

This year for the Stags he tops their pitching staff, leading them with a 3.11 ERA in 63.1 innings of work. He is also second in strikeouts, fanning 28 batters in 10 games.

Mainers coach, Aaron Izaryk says Ashworth is the type of pitcher the squad needs for the upcoming season. "[He's] a fiery competitor who is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win.  EJ was one of our first commitments back in Sanford. He stands for everything we want in a Sanford Mainers player," he said.

Joining Ashworth is right hander, Jason Inghram out of the College of William and Mary. Inghram left the Mainers last year with an injury, but in his time with the Moose, he went 1-1 with a 3.11 ERA in 26 innings.

Since his injury, he recovered and has become one of the best pitchers the Tribe has to offer. In 11 games for William and Mary, Ingrham has posted a 6-4 record with a third best 2.70 ERA in 73.1 innings of work. In that time he has retired 76 hitters by way of the K.

These numbers led to Inghram receiving Louisville Slugger's National Player of the Week for the week of April 22.

Izaryk says Ingrham's attitude on the mound will serve well for the Mainers this season. "Jason understands the rigors and demands of summer baseball, and we're happy to have him back," he said.

Rounding out the returners on the hill is Jerry Ferris from Spring Arbor University. Ferris became the number one starter after joining the Mainers late last season. In 20 innings of work Ferris put up a 2-1 record and a 2.70 ERA. He struck out 15 batters while only walking 3.

For the Cougars, Ferris leads the pitching staff with an 8-2 record in 76.1 innings, posting a 4.36 ERA. In 11 games started, Ferris has completed 7 of them.

Since Ferris joined the Mainers last last summer, Izaryk says he can't wait to see what an entire season can do. "Jerry joined us mid-season in 2012 and certainly showed the he belonged," he said. "We're excited to see what Jerry can do over the course of an entire summer."

For more information on the 2013 Sanford Mainers roster please visit www.sanfordmainers.com.