Blaze closer Quintana signed by Bridgeport Bluefish

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NEWS UPDATE: Former Watertown Blaze pitcher Dom Severino also signs contract on August 23, 2017 to pitch for Bluefish – congrats!!
Watertown Blaze closer and Siena College standout Matt Quintana was signed by the Bridgeport Bluefish on Friday. Quintana, a Rawlings All-Region Second Team selection as a senior at Siena has been clocked running his fastball up to 93 MPH. The 2015 Siena graduate finished his college career with a 12-6 record in 82 appearances and a 3.31 ERA, acting mainly in the closer role for the Saints. His Senior season was his most impressive, sporting a 1.50 ERA over 60 innings of work, allowing only 37 hits while striking out 64 and issuing 14 free passes. After playing out his college eligibility in the FCBL, Quintana has spent the last 2 seasons playing for the Watertown Blaze of the Tri-State league after being recruited by former Saints teammate and Blaze infielder, Brian Fay. Quintana has been virtually unhittable the last two season with a 0.99 ERA over 49 1/3 innings of work, striking out 82 and issuing only 8 walks, while recording 13 saves. He won his only start against the Bourne Mariners during the AABC Stan Musial East Coast World Series throwing a 1 hit, complete game striking out 17 batters (in just 7 innings). These impressive numbers caught the eye of Connecticut coaches and General Managers and word traveled to the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League.
The 5’10, 170 pound right hander made his professional debut for the Bluefish Saturday August 19 against the New Britain Bees. He entered the game in the 7th inning, with the game tied at 5-5. The leadoff batter singled on a first pitch fastball before Quintana struck out the next 3 batters in order, swinging, to end the frame. Quintana then gave way to Vinnie Pestano and Manny Delcarmen who have a combined 12 years and 521 Major League Baseball appearances with the Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies. With his solid debut, Quintana earned the start today against the Bees at 3:30pm at New Britain Stadium.
Quintana is one of several local players with Independent League or FCBL, ACBL, Cape Cod League and MLB experience that have played or are currently playing in the Tri-State Baseball League:
· Willy Yahn (Baltimore Orioles)
· Zach Risedorf (San Diego Padres)
· Mike Odenwaelder (Baltimore Orioles)
· Ryan Plourde (Chicago White Sox)
· Conor Bierfeldt (Baltimore Orioles)
· Jesse Darcy (Tampa Rays)
· Chris Blazek (Houston Astros)
· Joey Serafin (Chicago White Sox)
· Michael Fabiaschi (Oakland Athletics)
· Emmanuel Cruz (Cincinnati Reds)
· Pierre Lepage (Chicago Cubs)
· Brett Anderson (Texas Rangers)
· Justin Morhardt (Atlanta Braves)
. Zach Albin (Baltimore Orioles)
. Kody Kerski (Seattle Mariners)
. Brooks Belter (Tampa Bay Rays)