ANOTHER BIG BAT: JACKALS ACQUIRE JEROD EDMONDSON FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE

Little Falls, NJ – The New Jersey Jackals have announced the acquisition of 1B/OF Jerod Edmondson and RHP Nick Asselin from the American Defenders of New Hampshire in exchange for LHP David Qualben and OF Billy Kovatch.

The trade provides the Jackals with one of the Can-Am League’s top all-around players in Edmondson, and completes the offseason deal that sent 3B Chris Kelly to New Hampshire. Moreover, New Jersey continues to bulk up its roster as it aims to bring home a fifth league championship after capturing the first-half title this season and clinching a playoff spot; Edmondson joins the other new addition to the Jackals lineup, MLB veteran Timo Perez, who was signed on August 13.

In addition to his ability to play left field, first base and even some third base, Edmondson ranks among the league leaders in several vital offensive categories. The UMass-Lowell product entered Wednesday’s games seventh in the Can-Am in batting average (.314), fourth in home runs (13), third in on-base percentage (.404), third in slugging percentage (.517) and third in runs scored (53). Edmondson has also driven in 42 runs and swiped 13 bases this season.

The 25-year-old lefty slugger is in his third season of professional baseball. In 2008, Edmondson logged 243 at-bats over 76 games with the Nashua Pride -- now known as the American Defenders of New Hampshire -- and batted .251 with two home runs and 19 RBI. The Johnson City, NY native split 2007 with Nashua and the Brockton Rox, hitting .351 with two homers and 21 RBI over 134 at-bats in 50 contests.

Asselin is 8-6 with a 4.16 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 93 innings of work in 15 starts this season. The 24-year-old right-hander is in his second season of professional baseball, though he maintains a rookie status in the Can-Am. Despite every appearance thus far in 2009 coming out of the starting rotation, Asselin is expected to join the Jackals bullpen.

Asselin signed with the New York Yankees organization in 2008 after going undrafted out of Boston College. The Bedford, NH native spent most of his ’08 season with the Single-A Staten Island Yankees, posting a 1-1 record with a 4.07 ERA and 22 strikeouts while issuing just two walks over 24 1/3 innings, mostly out of the bullpen.

Qualben departs New Jersey after recovering from shoulder tendonitis in his pitching arm. The Brooklyn, NY native is 2-2 with a 3.20 ERA and 18 strikeouts this season. His last appearance for the Jackals was back on June 27 against Worcester when he lasted 2 2/3 innings and gave up three runs on four hits and four walks but did not factor into the decision. The southpaw is in his fourth professional season after being selected by the Houston Astros in the seventh round of the 2006 draft out of Pace University. Entering 2009, Qualben was 19-24 with a 3.89 ERA for his career.

Kovatch was hitting .247 with 23 RBI and eight stolen bases in his second season with the Jackals after joining the team on August 15, 2008. He began last year with the Atlantic City Surf, where he batted .281 with 19 RBI. With New Jersey in ’08, the Jacksonville Beach, FL native hit .299 with one home run, seven RBI and six steals in just 17 games. In his three professional seasons coming into 2009, Kovatch was batting .292 with 56 stolen bases.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. The Jackals have clinched the 2009 Can-Am League first-half title and an automatic berth in the playoffs, which begin on September 9. Playoff and regular season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.Jackals.com.