Top pitching prospect signs with Pump Jacks

The East Texas Pump Jacks' pitching rotation received a much-needed shot in the arm with the signing of Kansas State junior pitcher Justin Murray, the team announced over the weekend.

Murray is no stranger to the Texas Collegiate League. He dominated the TCL as a member of the McKinney Marshals last season, going 5-2 with a miniscule 0.54 ERA to earn Pitcher of the Year honors. In 50 innings pitched, he allowed an unfathomable three earned runs and walked only eight batters while striking out 48. Murray topped the TCL in ERA, tied for the league lead in wins, and finished fourth in strikeouts. The TCL's June Pitcher of the Month, he was also named starting pitcher in the TCL All- Star Game. Following the season, Baseball America named Murray the league's #3 prospect.

His performance last summer attracted the attention of Major League scouts, culminating in his selection by the Oakland A's in the 29th round of this year's draft. Murray joins Luke Burnett (Seattle Mariners), Matt Curry (Pittsburgh Pirates), and Justin Fowler (Atlanta Braves) as Pump Jacks players who were drafted in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft.

In his junior campaign with the Wildcats, Murray went 3-2 with a 4.21 ERA. He finished second on the staff in starts and innings pitched. Pitching primarily out of the bullpen in 2007 as a sophomore, he led Kansas State pitchers in appearances.

A native of Manhattan, Kan., Murray was named the Kansas Pitcher of the Year as a senior in 2005, when he also received allstate honors. He was a fourtime all-league selection during his prep career at Manhattan High School.

Tickets for tonight's game are still available and they are on sale now. Tickets start at just $5 - or $4 for children and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the Pump Jacks office at 1100 Stone Road, Suite 120, in Kilgore, or over the phone at (903) 218-GO ET. Tickets may also be purchased online - and printed at home on any home printer - by visiting www.pumpjacksbaseball.com.