Furman's Matthew Betsill Assigned To Appalachian League's Elizabethon Twins

June 17, 2005

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Former Furman third baseman Matthew Betsill, a recent 10th round Major League Draft selection and signee of the Minnesota Twins, has been assigned to the organization's rookie league affiliate in Elizabethton, Tenn., it was announced today.

A 6-foot-5 switch-hitter, Betsill batted .336 with six home runs and a team leading 50 RBI as a junior this past season in helping Furman to a 30-29 record, Southern Conference Tournament championship, and NCAA Tournament appearance. An All-SoCon Tournament selection, he paced the Paladins in runs (49), doubles (20), triples (3), and slugging percentage (.526). In addition he stole 10 bases in 12 attempts and fielded at a .958 clip, committing only 11 errors in 263 total chances.

Betsill joins RHP Danny Rueckel (Class AA Harrisburg, Pa./Washington Nationals), RHP Tom Mastny (Class A Kinston, N.C./Cleveland Indians), and C Derek Norman (Class A Burlington, Iowa/Kansas City Royals) as the fourth former Paladin currently in professional baseball.

Elizabethton opens its 2005 season next Tuesday when it entertains the Bluefield Orioles at 7:00 p.m. at Joe O'Brien Field in the first of a three-game series.