Solveson returning to Somerset

Saul Solveson

Emporium's contribution to professional baseball is returning to the Somerset Patriots for the 2007 season.

Saul Solveson, a 27-year-old righthanded pitcher, still could catch on with a major league organization this season, but for now he'll take his place in the bullpen of the Patriots, an independent organization in the Atlantic League. Spring training starts next week. Season opener is May 4.

Solveson was 5-4 with a 3.11 ERA in 42 relief appearances last season. He often entered the game with runners on base and pitched out of trouble, frequently inducing double plays.

Solveson has proven himself to be a durable, effective middle relief pitcher for the Bridgewater, N.J., based Patriots. He led manager Sparky Lyle's staff in game appearances in 2006.

After spending part of the 2005 season with the struggling Elmira (N.Y.) Pioneers, Solveson was released. Soon, a scout observing him during a tryout recruited him for Somerset and he signed a contract covering the rest of the 2005 season that same day.

He and Lyle, the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, hit it off from the start.

Soon, the six-foot-one, 180- pounder was contributing regularly. He appeared in 19 games and helped Somerset win its third league title in five years.

Solveson turned pro after a successful career at St. Bonaventure University. He spent 2003, his first professional season, with a Class A team in Kenosha, then moved on to Elmira in 2004.

Atlantic League affiliates are independent and players are often plucked from Atlantic League rosters to join major league organizations.