The Thunder Bay Border Cats officially announced today the signing of Thunder Bay pitcher Eric Brown for the 2010 season.  In addition, the Cats have also signed three other Canadian pitchers in Corey Pappel, Paul Barton, and Nathan Kennedy.

Brown played locally in the Port Arthur Nationals Little League and Northwest Slam baseball programs.  The 6’1″, 185 pound righthander is currently in his junior season at the University of British Columbia where the Thunderbirds just captured the United States NAIA West playoff championship.  In 12 games this spring, Brown has a 7-1 record with a 3.47 earned run average.  The Hammarskjold High School graduate has been in the T-Birds starting rotation all season and has one complete game with 48 strikeouts in 62.1 innings pitched.

Pappel is a highly touted prospect and a former member of the Canadian National junior team. The 6’6″, 225 pound junior at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY was recently named to the ESPN The Magazine’s all-academic team in the Ivy League.  The righthander from Mississauga, ON is 2-2 for the Big Red this season with a 3.71 ERA.  Pappel has made nine starts with one complete game and 52 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched.

Barton is a freshman at Panola Junior College in Carthage, TX, where he is a teammate of Border Cats infielder Evan Mistich.  The 6’3″, 205 pound righthander has pitched in 15 games and has a 6-2 record with a 3.29 earned run average.  Barton, from Qualicum Beach, BC, has made 11 starts for the Ponies with 60 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched and one complete game shutout.

Kennedy is a 6’1″, 180 pounder from Guelph, ON and is currently in his sophomore season at Grayson County College in Denison, TX.  Kennedy has appeared in 14 games for the Vikings and is 3-0 with a 3.69 ERA.  The righthander has struck out 35 batters in 24.1 innings of work.

The Border Cats open their eighth Northwoods League season at home on June 2, at 6:35pm against the Duluth Huskies at Port Arthur Stadium.