IVY LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK KAUFMAN SIGNS WITH PITTSFIELD DUKES

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (Wednesday, April 27, 2005) - Cornell University outfielder Brian Kaufman, the Ivy League's Rookie of the Week the last two weeks, has been signed by the Pittsfield Dukes of the New England Collegiate Baseball League for the upcoming summer season.

Kaufman, in the midst of an outstanding freshman campaign, earned his second straight Rookie of the Week award for April 17-23 after sharing it the week of April 10-16.

In six games last week, Kaufman batted .417 (10 for 24) with two doubles, a home run, seven runs batted in and six runs scored. The home run was the first of his collegiate career. Kaufman also stole three bases in three attempts and racked up a .625 slugging percentage.

"I don't think I'm seeing the ball any better than normal," Kaufman said. "I'm just putting the bat on it really well right now."

Kaufman's two-run walkoff double in the ninth inning completed a doubleheader sweep on Sunday and a four-game series sweep of Penn to vault the Cornell Big Red into first place in the Gehrig division of the Ivy League standings.
"We've put together a good few weeks," Kaufman said. "Princeton's won our division the past nine seasons and we're trying to knock them off."

Through 29 games, Kaufman is batting .347 (35 for 101, second-best on the Cornell squad) with 13 extra-base hits and 14 RBI. The Austin, Texas native, who bats left-handed and throws right-handed, is expected to be one of Pittsfield's top offensive threats this year.

"Brian is an alert, fundamental player with a good bat," said Dukes president Dan Duquette. "He'll help us this summer with his aggressive style."

"I'm extremely excited to play for the Dukes," said Kaufman. "Two of my teammates play in the NECBL for Holyoke. This is going to be the next step in my career and I think it's going to be a great summer for me, professionally and personally."

Dukes and NECBL fans could get an interesting summer preview if two of the Ivy League's hottest teams continue their winning ways. Kaufman said he enjoys entertaining the prospect of facing future Dukes teammates and Harvard pitchers Jake Bruton and Taylor Meehan in an Ivy League championship game. Harvard currently leads the standings in the league's Rolfe division.

The Dukes will play a 42-game season through June and July, including 21 home games at Historic Wahconah Park in Pittsfield. Individual game and season tickets are on sale and can be purchased by phone at (413) 447-3853.