July 23, 2007

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - A couple of former Marist baseball players are playing professionally in the minor leagues. Right-handed pitcher Bobby Hastry is pitching well for the Burlington Royals in his first season of professional ball, and left-handed pitcher Tim Bittner is pitching for the Birmingham Barons, the Class AA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

Hastry, who played for Marist from 2004-07, is pitching for the Rookie-level affiliate of the Kansas City Royals in the Appalachian League. He has allowed just one earned run in 8 2/3 innings in Burlington for an earned run average of 1.04. Hastry has made six appearances for Burlington, putting together a 1-2 record. The victory came in his first professional appearance, when he tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings against the Bristol Sox on June 26.

Bittner, who is in his seventh season of pro ball, has made 31 relief appearances for Birmingham. He is 1-3 with a 4.34 ERA in 45 2/3 innings. Bittner played at Marist from 1999-2001, excelling as both a starting pitcher and a hitter.