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Somerset Patriots Re-Sign New Jersey Native Nate Roe

Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots announced today that right-handed relief pitcher, New Jersey native and Rutgers alumnus Nate Roe has been re-signed for the 2019 season.

“To say I am excited to return to Somerset would be an understatement,” said Roe. “It is an honor to play in front of the best fans in the Atlantic League while wearing a Patriots jersey. The owners, front office, coaching staff and everyone else behind the scenes are the reason Somerset is so successful. The end of last year left a bad taste in my mouth and I’m ready to help bring a championship back home to Somerset.” 

Roe enters his second season with the Somerset Patriots and fourth in the Atlantic League. The reliever ranked fourth on the team with 48 appearances (two starts) last year, and led all relief pitchers on the team with 59.1 innings pitched. He finished the season with a 5-3 record and a 4.55 ERA in his first stint with the Patriots.

The Plainfield, New Jersey native’s best run of the season came over a 12-game stretch from May 30 to June 28 where the righty allowed just one earned run over 11.2 innings of work (0.77 ERA) with 12 strikeouts against four walks. He went 2-0 over those 12 appearances.

“It is vital to have a guy like Nate Roe on your ball club,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “Nate is an unselfish player who puts the team first in all aspects. He has been around our league for a few years and is experienced in many roles as a pitcher. He did a good job for us in a variety of duties last year, but I know he is looking to be even more consistent this season. Nate is a joy to have around the clubhouse, keeping everyone loose and having fun. He comes to work every day to get better, help the team win and be a positive influence on others.”

Roe spent the majority of his two seasons prior to Somerset with the New Britain Bees, where he split time between work as a starting pitcher and as a reliever. He went 5-3 over 12 appearances (10 starts) in 2016 with New Britain before he established himself as an All-Star relief pitcher in 2017.

The former Scarlet Knight appeared in 58 games for the Bees in 2017 (tied for ninth in the league) with a 7-6 record, one save and a 3.63 ERA. Roe held his ERA under 2.00 and his WHIP (walks/hits per innings pitched) under 1.00 for the first two months of the season and finished the first half with a 2.31 ERA over 30 relief appearances. That included an impressive 14-game stretch from May 11 to June 11 over which he did not allow an unearned run (16.2 innings).

Roe spent the first three years of his professional career with the Rockland Boulders (Can-Am League): primarily as a relief pitcher. He finished up 2015 with the Garden State Greys before joining the Quebec Capitals to begin the 2016 season. He appeared in 11 games with Quebec before he signed with New Britain to end the 2016 season.

The Rutgers product owns a 28-24 record with four saves and 256 strikeouts over his six-year professional career.

The Somerset Patriots will be back in action on Friday, April 26th for Opening Day at TD Bank Ballpark. Stay up to date on all the team news throughout the offseason online; on all of our social media platforms, and on our mobile app. For more information, 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 40 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 70 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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