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Somerset Patriots Re-Sign All-Star Outfielder Justin Pacchioli

Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have re-signed 2017 Atlantic League All-Star outfielder Justin Pacchioli for the 2018 season.

“Last year was amazing. From top to bottom, everything about Somerset was amazing,” said Pacchioli. “It does not get better than Somerset fans; the whole experience last year was unreal. It was bittersweet that I did not finish the season with the guys, but we have some unfinished business to get to.” 

Pacchioli enters his second season with the Somerset Patriots and second in the Atlantic League. The speedy outfielder hit .281 with 30 RBI, 61 runs and 35 stolen bases (fourth in the league) over 97 games before he finished the season in the Boston Red Sox organization with High-A Salem. He earned an All-Star Game selection by hitting .345 in the first half of the season with a .453 on-base percentage. At the time, he was eight plate appearances shy of qualifying for league leaders, but both stats would have led the league.

The Easton, Pennsylvania native carried three different 10-plus game on-base streaks throughout the season. That includes a nine-game hit streak from May 7 to May 17 over which he went 13-for-25 (.520) from the plate and a 14-game on-base streak from June 14 to July 4 over which he was 16-for-47 (.340) with 13 runs and 12 walks. Despite only playing in 97 games, Pacchioli led the team in stolen bases (35) and tied for the team lead in runs (61) and triples (4). He also committed just one error over 202 chances in the outfield, good for a .995 fielding percentage.

“We are very excited to welcome back Justin to our squad this year,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “Justin is a joy to have around and he really opened up everyone’s eyes last year with his ability. He is an unselfish player who loves to come to the field and help any way he can to better the club. Pacchioli is good enough to be an everyday player, but can also be extremely valuable off the bench. He was an All-Star last year and can play all outfield positions well with a positive attitude.”

The 25 year-old took off the 2016 season prior to joining Somerset for personal reasons after he spent his first season in professional baseball in the San Diego Padres organization. A 10th-round draft pick by the Padres in 2015, Pacchioli played in 58 games with short-season Tri-City that year and posted a .245 average with 14 RBI and 19 stolen bases. His 19 steals led the team and ranked seventh in the Northwest League that year.

Pacchioli enjoyed a noteworthy collegiate career at Lehigh University. There, he currently ranks as the program’s all-time leader in stolen bases (69), fifth in program history in batting (.344) and sixth in triples (8). He also set the single-season stolen base record (31) in his senior year and is one of just 10 Mountain Hawks to be named as a three-time All Patriot League selection (2013-15).

The Somerset Patriots led the Atlantic League in attendance and made their 14th appearance in the playoffs last season. The Somerset Patriots will welcome their 7,000,000th fan in their 20th season at TD Bank Ballpark in 2018.  Tickets are now on sale for the 2018 Season presented by Ford beginning at home on Friday, April 27th. For more information, please visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.

For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.

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