USC's Mack & Clemson's Stoneburner to Anchor 2010 RiverDogs Roster

CHARLESTON, SC - The Charleston RiverDogs' new "Be Your Own Fan" initiative has just spread to the playing field as both Clemson and South Carolina fans will have a player to cheer for.

Former Gamecocks outfielder DeAngelo Mack and former Tigers right-handed pitcher Graham Stoneburner are slated to begin the 2010 season on the Charleston RiverDogs roster, the New York Yankees announced Thursday.  Mack and Stoneburner will lead a cast of 25 players that aim to get Charleston back to the South Atlantic League (SAL) playoffs for the first time since 2005.

They will also be local favorites in Manager Greg Colbrunn's inaugural year as manager.

Mack, a native of West Columbia, S.C. and a popular Gamecock, enjoyed a fabulous debut season with the New York-Penn League (NYPL) champion Staten Island Yankees after being drafted by the Yankees in the 13^th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.  The 23-year-old raked at a .306 clip in 66 games with seven home runs and 41 RBI in being named to the league's midseason All-Star team.  He ranked second in the NYPL in extra-base hits (30), tied for third in total bases (119), placed fifth in slugging percentage (.513) and sixth in average.

Mack was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2009, leading the league in base hits (92) and also clubbed 14 home runs with 60 RBI.

Stoneburner, of Richmond, Va., who is the Yankees' 22^nd best prospect according to Baseball America, battled through injuries during his career as a Tiger, yet still managed an impressive 7-4 record with a 3.52 ERA in 20 appearances in 2009.  A college teammate of former RiverDogs pitcher D.J. Mitchell, the 22-year-old was drafted in the 14^th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft but pitched in just one game for Staten Island.

The remainder of the roster is expected to be announced either late Sunday or early Monday.

The RiverDogs open the 2010 season on Thursday, April 8, against the Lexington Legends, a Houston Astros affiliate, in a 7:05 p.m. first pitch.  Tickets may be purchased by calling (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or by visiting www.riverdogs.com.