Lee Zerrusen will make his return to “The Swamp” for his second season, bringing teammates Mathew Milroy, Brandon Hohl and Christian Cummins with him.
   Darrell Handelsman and University of Illinois Associate Head Coach Eric Snider first met when they faced each other on the field. Off the field they earned each other's respect for developing talent and young men. Since Snider's move to Illinois, he has sent Handelsman players. 
      Lee Zerrusen rejoins the SwampDogs for his second season.  At 6-3, 195 pounds, the junior righthanded hurler looks to build from his 2009 campaign on the mound for the Dogs. Appearing in 24 games, Zerrusen struck out 37, earning 15 saves in 32 innings with a 1-1 record.
     Zerrusen was an integral part of the Fighting Illini staff through the 2009 season earning a 2-1 record with two saves in 18 appearances, including five starts. Zerrusen recorded 30 strikeouts in 46.1 innings pitched. He looks to have an even bigger year this spring on the mound for the Fighting Illini.
    Matthew Milroy, a 6-3, 195 pound left handed hitting outfielder/right handed pitcher should play an important part on the mound and at the plate for the Dogs. The freshman makes his first appearance in a Dogs uniform this summer. His senior season in high school he hit .466 with eight doubles, seven triples and four home runs. His stellar performances at the plate also drove in 35 RBIs. Stepping on the mound when he wasn’t in the outfield, Milroy established a 7-2 record with 101 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings pitched, ending the season with a 1.76 ERA. Following his high school career Milroy was drafted in the 35th round of the 2009 MLB first year player draft by the Boston Red Sox.
   Christian Cummins is in his freshman season for the Fighting Illini. He comes to Fayetteville for his first season as a SwampDog. Cummins will provide support in the middle of the infield for the Fighting Illini and should do the same for the Dogs. He finished his high school career on a high note hitting .532 scoring 38 runs, 54 RBIs, stealing 30 bases while only striking out five times.
   Brandon Hohl comes to the Dogs for his first summer in 2010. The freshman will be part of what looks to be a stellar left side of the infield. Hohl also had great success in high school hitting .391 with seven doubles, five home runs and 27 RBIs.
   "I am proud of the relationship with the University of Illinois and glad it will continue," said SwampDogs Head Coach Darrell Handelsman.  "Coach Snider continually sends us good players, but more importantly, they are good people, great representatives of the SwampDogs and the Fighting Illini. I have no doubt Lee will pick up where he left off and the other guys will be hard at work from their first day here."
   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.