ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. − Flagler College pitcher
Johnny Gaines (Jacksonville, Fla./Hillsborough CC) signed a contract to play for the Frontier League's Oakland County Cruisers, located in Waterford, Mich., last Saturday (June 5).
Gaines made his debut last night (June 6) for the Cruisers as he tossed five innings, scattered six hits, allowed four earned runs and struck out five to earn the win. Oakland County downed Evansville 12-9.
Oakland County is one of six teams in the Frontier's East Division and is currently two games out of first place with an 8-7 record. The West Division also has six clubs.
Gaines posted a 9-5 record with a 4.25 earned run average for Flagler this past spring. He led the staff in wins, complete games (3), innings pitched (91.0) and strikeouts (76). Gaines tied for third, in the Peach Belt Conference, in wins, was fifth in innings pitched and sixth in strikeouts. He had the second most complete games in the league.
The pitching coach for Oakland County is current Flagler pitching coach Cory Domel.
He joins Brandon Rapoza, who is pitching for the Sioux Falls Pheasants of the American Association, and
Austin Donmoyer, who is pitching for the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the Northern League, as former Flagler baseball players playing professionally.