FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Trojans of Mount Olive will be well represented this season in “The Swamp” after the recent additions of Carter Capps and Michael Knox to The Fayetteville SwampDogs roster for the 2010 summer. 

   Both Capps and Knox are sophomores from the 2008 Division II National Champions in Baseball. 

   Capps, a 6-4 pitcher/catcher, is a native of Kinston, N.C. where he attended North Lenoir High School.  Capps is no stranger to the nation’s hottest collegiate summer baseball league.  During the 2009 summer, Capps played for the Martinsville Mustangs. Pitching exclusively out of the bullpen for Martinsville, Capps went 2-2 with a microscopic 0.82 E.R.A and one save.  The tall right-hander struck out 18 while walking only three in eleven innings of work.  Opponents hit only .179 off of Capps.       

   Like Capps, Knox also spent time in the Coastal Plain League.  Unlike Capps though, Knox played his ball in Fayetteville.  Despite being a late edition to the roster, Knox's play at the end of the regular season earned him a spot in the Dogs post season lineup. Knox made the most of the opportunity, recording at least one hit in every playoff contest. With a full summer in "The Swamp," the 6-4, 225 pound first baseman will look to increase his playing time and his production.

   “I’m looking forward to having both these guys as part of our team this summer. Both have CPL experience, which is a plus,” said SwampDogs head coach Darrell Handelsman. “Michael gives us a true middle of the order run producer. He did a great job down the stretch into the playoffs and I look forward to having him here for the entire season. Carter Capps is a potential top of the rotation starter. He has only just begun to scratch the surface of his abilities. I anticipate these guys to be a big part of our success this summer.”

   As of March 1st, the Trojan duo is off to a great start. Knox is hitting .436 with eight homeruns and 30 RBIs. Capps is an impressive 4-0 with only two earned runs in 22 innings pitched for a 0.82 ERA.

   The Fayetteville SwampDogs are entering their 10th season as a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 14th season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league Web site at www.coastalplain.com. To reserve your tickets today, contact the Fayetteville SwampDogs at (910) 426-5900. For more information on the team, log onto goswampdogs.com.