Story by Brendan Robertson

Assistant SID

DAWSON, Ky. - University of South Carolina Aiken redshirt sophomore pitcher Christian Stutts (Aiken, S.C./South Aiken HS) was named to the Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee (KIT) League All-Star Team for his performance during the 2009 summer campaign while playing for the Tradewater Pirates (Dawson, Kentucky).

The KIT League is a summer collegiate wooden bat league featuring six teams comprised of Division I and Division II players.  The teams play a 50-game season running from June through July, with playoffs at the beginning of August.

Stutts helped lead the Pirates to their second consecutive regular season championship, as well as the KIT Tournament Championship. The Pacer hurler thoroughly enjoyed his experience with the Pirates.

"My favorite part was meeting and playing with different guys from around the country and being able to play baseball day in and day out," said Stutts.

The Pirates finished with a 33 - 22 record on the season under head coach Brandon Kitch. Stutts shined in his role as the Pirates closer on the mound, tying for the league lead with 12 saves in 24.3 innings of work.  He finished with 22 strikeouts and a 2.31 ERA. Stutts took full advantage of his opportunity with the Pirates during the Pacers offseason to work on his game.

"The biggest benefit for me was being able to develop more pitches, face quality hitters everyday and become a better pitcher so I can carry it over into next season for the Pacers," said Stutts. 

Stutts will be part of  a deep pitching rotation in the spring for USC Aiken head coach Kenny Thomas and the Pacers as they look to defend their Peach Belt Conference regular season championship from last season.

The Pacers won 40-plus games for the fifth straight year and concluded last season ranked 10th in the nation after advancing to their fifth-consecutive NCAA Division II Regional.