Cullowhee, N.C. - Former Catamount right-hander Matt Benedict was today selected as one of the Northern Division pitchers in the upcoming 53rd annual South Atlantic League All-Star game, scheduled for Tuesday, June 19 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in Charleston, S.C. Benedict was joined by two Power teammates on the honorary squad.
A 6-5, 220-lbs., hurler, Benedict is a starter for the Class A West Virginia Power squad based in Charleston, W.Va. He was a 30th-round draft selection by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011. Benedict currently owns a 4-3 record through 12 starts with a 2.93 ERA, eighth-best in the league at the time of his selection. On the year, Benedict has 42 strikeouts against 17 walks through 67.2 innings pitched, limiting opposing team hitters to a .239 batting average against.
A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Benedict closed his four-year WCU career with an 11-8 overall record including a career-best nine wins as a junior. Of his 58 career appearances, 31 came as a starter, while his 174 career strikeouts ranking 18th in school history at the time of his graduation. Benedict was a second team All-Southern Conference selection in 2011 after leading the conference with a 2.45 ERA.