Cape Henlopen Star Townsend Joins Shorebirds

Salisbury, Md. - The Baltimore Orioles announced on Tuesday afternoon that Tyler Townsend has been added to the Delmarva Shorebirds roster. He is expected to be in the starting lineup for game one of the series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Tuesday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Townsend was selected in the third round of the 2009 First Year Player Draft by the Baltimore Orioles following a stellar three-year career at Florida International University. He is the second highest draft pick in FIU school history. Townsend had a record setting campaign for the Panthers in 2009. He hit .426 with 24 home runs and 77 RBIs. The Lewes, Delaware native holds the career mark for RBIs at FIU with 164.

The accolades rolled in for Townsend following his impressive '09 season. He was named to the Louisville Slugger NCAA Division I All-America First Team and the Sun Belt Conference First Team.

In 2006, Townsend was named the Gatorade Player of the Year and the Louisville Slugger Player of the Year in the state of Delaware. He hit .600 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs as a senior at Cape Henlopen High School.

Townsend began his professional career with the Aberdeen Ironbirds in 2009. He hit .143 with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 31 games.

The 21-year old was rehabilitating a hamstring injury in extended spring training over the last two weeks.

The Shorebirds take on the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and information, called the Shorebirds Box Office 410-219-3112.