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8-13-05 Two NTCC Alumni Sign Pro Contracts This year three NTCC players were drafted in the 2005 first year player draft. Former players Billy “Bubba” Bell and Daniel Lonsberry were selected along with current pitcher Nicholas Cobler. Daniel Lonsberry was the first of the NTCC players to go in the 25th round. While at NTCC Daniel stood out as one of the team's best pitchers and one of the most dominating in the conference. During his career at NTCC Lonsberry posted a 16-5 record and played a large role in the 2003 conference championship team. Daniel continued the successful trend after signing with Northwestern State where he went on to post a 7-4 record with a 2.86 ERA. Currently Lonsberry has been assigned to the Short Season Blue Field Orioles where he has dominated hitters. Lonsberry finished up the year with an 0-1 record with 7 saves. In 32 innings Daniel struck out 40 of the oppositions hitters while only walking 11. Bubba spent two years at NTCC where he hit .340 and .325 respectively. “Bubba was a large part of our conference championship team” said Coach Smith “he was a hard nosed player that came to the ball park every day to work hard and get better.” After moving on to Nicholls State Bell made great strides as a player and proved that he deserved a shot at the next level. Bubba was one of Nichols States most productive players his junior and senior years by hitting .330 and a team high .378 with a 53 RBI’s. Bell was selected in the 39th round by the Boston Red Sox. Currently Bell has been assigned to the Red Socks Short Season team Gulf Coast League Red Socks. Bubba had a strong first year in pro ball finishing the season with a .314 average with 13 doubles 2 triples and 2 home runs. Nicholas Cobler was drafted in the 42nd round by the states own Houston Astros and has chosen to return to school. |
