April 14, 2006
BEVERLY, MA - Former Endicott first baseman Greg Allain (Berlin, NH/Berlin) enjoyed a stellar four-year career under head coach Larry Hiser. The 6-foot-4 slugger who graduated in 2005 is now taking his talents to the professional level.
Allain recently inked a deal with the Alexandria Aces of the newly formed United Baseball League, which consists of six teams - five from Texas and one (the Aces) from Louisiana.
Alexandria, which plays a 90-game schedule, drafted Allain after he impressed coaches with his hitting and agile footwork around the bag at first base. But the Aces were also drawn in by Allain's magnetic personality.
"We think he's going to be a great clubhouse guy," said Alexandria coach Ricky Van Asselberg of Endicott's second player ever to sign a professional baseball contract.
"Greg has good hands and he hit the ball well in camp. Plus, he's a lefty bat and that's always a plus."
Allain hit .352 in 537 career at-bats for Endicott. He compiled 189 hits, including 41 doubles, four triples and nine home runs, and drove in an Endicott program-best 133 runs. The dominant first baseman increased his average every year he played for the Gulls, going from .326 as a freshman to a robust .408 in his senior campaign.
The Berlin, New Hampshire native also won 20 career games on the hill, owning an ERA of 4.47. He amassed 156 strikeouts in 212 innings pitched and walked just 45. Allain made 33 career starts and threw 12 complete games.
Allain attended a four-day tryout camp for the United League in Clearwater, Florida. After the camp, the six teams held a draft and the Aces selected Allain in the fifth round. He will report to Alexandria's training camp on May 8, 2006 and opening day is slated for May 16.
He joins Bryan Caruso, who graduated in 2002, and senior Matt Bishop as the only three players in Endicott College baseball history to garner attention from professional baseball. Caruso played independent baseball for the North Shore Spirit and the Brockton Rox while Bishop was selected by the Houston Astros in the 37th round of the Major League Baseball Draft last year.
For the latest updates on the United League, please visit www.unitedleague.org and for the latest news on Allain and the Aces, go to www.myacesbaseball.com.
