Wingnuts' Richardson Earns National Accolades

WICHITA, KS- Wichita Wingnuts' third baseman Juan Richardson has been selected by Baseball America as a member of its 2011 Independent League All-Star Team.

Richardson finished sixth in the American Association batting race at .360, ranked fifth with 86 RBI, and paced the Wingnuts with 12 home runs.  The Bani, Dominican Republic native also finished second in the league with a .452 on-base percentage, and fifth with 140 total hits.  For a second straight season, Richardson led all American Association third basemen in fielding percentage at .951, besting his own mark of .931 from one year ago.

The 31-year old Richardson delivered one of the most dramatic hits in team history on August 19th versus Gary SouthShore.  With the Wingnuts trailing 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Richardson hit a two-out, three-run home run to defeat the RailCats in the opener of the team's most critical series of the year.  The comeback triggered a three-game sweep that vaulted the Wingnuts' into first place for the remainder of the season.

Richardson had an especially strong finish in 2011, hitting .413 (45 for 109) with 20 walks, 19 runs scored, and 32 RBI over his final 27 games.  On August 27th at El Paso, Richardson tied a league record with a six-hit performance that included two doubles, a home run, and seven RBI.  Richardson's 81 runs scored set a new team record, while his 86 RBI tied the Wingnuts' single-season mark.  Following the season, Richardson was named to the American Association's Postseason All-Star Team.

The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts' baseball begins in mid-May.  The American Association's full 2012 schedule is expected to be released before the new year.  For information on season tickets, ticket packages, and group outings, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com

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