Dec. 2, 2008

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Former Lafayette pitching standouts Ted Gjeldum '07 and Steve Roberts '08 have been re-signed by the Traverse City Beach Bums of the Frontier League for the 2009 season after both completed impressive seasons last year.

Gjeldum, who maintained a 3.60 earned-run average (ERA) for Traverse City in 2008, appeared in a team-best 46 games, struck out 55 batters in 50 innings of work and recorded three saves. Gjeldum had spent the 2007 season with the Kansas City Royals organization, pitching for the Burlington Indians of the Appalachian League where he totaled 37 strikeouts while holding opposing batters to a .237 average.

Steve Roberts '08

Roberts worked his way into the starting rotation as a rookie with Traverse City, making 14 appearances in 2008, including eight starts. He had a 2.33 ERA, the second-lowest on the staff, and racked up 45 strikeouts en route to a 3-1 record with one complete game. The right-hander held opponents to a .205 batting average in 58 innings of work.

As collegians, Gjeldum and Roberts helped lead the Leopards to the 2007 NCAA Regionals after capturing the program's first-ever Patriot League Championship that spring. That squad also recorded a program-best 33 wins.

The Beach Bums have finished one game out of the Frontier League playoffs in each of the past three seasons. They open the 2009 season on the road against Kalamazoo on May 22-24 before opening their home slate against the Southern Illinois Miners on May 26 at 7:05 p.m.