GARY, IND. — The Gary SouthShore RailCats announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Andrew Cartier and outfielder Daniel Gardner before Tuesday’s series opener vs. the Winnipeg Goldeyes. In order to make room for both Cartier and Gardner on the 23-man active roster, Gary placed right-handed pitcher Nick Floyd on the Inactive List retroactive to Tuesday and placed outfielder Sean Guida on irrevocable waivers.
Prior to signing with Gary, Cartier pitched for the Vallejo Admirals of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs (PACA). In three relief appearances with the Admirals, Cartier went 0-1 with a 3.37 ERA. In 2.2 innings pitched, the right-hander allowed just one run on two hits and a walk while striking out six.
A native of Estell Manor, N.J., Cartier began his professional baseball career with the High Desert Yardbirds of the PECOS League. In 19 relief appearances, Cartier went 1-1 with one save and a 2.28 ERA. In 19.2 innings pitched, Cartier allowed five runs on 14 hits and nine walks while striking out 40.
Before beginning his pro career in the summer, Cartier pitched collegiately at Rowan University from 2016-2019. In 45 career appearances (19 relief appearances), Cartier finished 9-6 with eight saves and a 2.66 ERA. In 138.2 innings pitched, Cartier allowed just 57 runs (41 earned) on 127 hits and 42 walks while striking out 147.
As a senior in 2019, Cartier went 1-1 with a team-high seven saves and a team-best 1.98 ERA in a team-leading 19 relief appearances. In 27.1 innings pitched, Cartier allowed seven runs (six earned) on 23 hits and nine walks while striking out 39.
As a junior in 2018, Cartier was named to the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) All-Academic Honorable Mention Team after going 4-2 with one save and a 3.35 ERA in 10 games (nine starts). In 51 innings pitched, Cartier allowed 27 runs (19 earned) on 55 hits and 14 walks while striking out a career-high 59.
As a sophomore in 2017, Cartier went 4-3 with a 2.35 ERA in 12 games (nine starts). In a career-high 53.2 innings pitched, Cartier allowed 21 runs (14 earned) on 43 hits and 18 walks while striking 42.
During the summer of 2017, Cartier went 0-1 in three starts with the Delray Beach Lightning of the South Florida Collegiate Baseball League (SFCBL). In 4.1 innings pitched, Cartier allowed six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out six.
As a freshman in 2016, Cartier finished without a record and a 2.70 ERA in four games (one start). In 6.2 innings pitched, Cartier yielded two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out seven.
During the summer of 2016, Cartier pitched for the Cortland Crush of the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL). In eight games (five starts), Cartier went 2-2 with a 5.91 ERA. In 24.1 innings pitched, Cartier allowed 22 runs (16 earned) on 34 hits and 15 walks while striking out 20.
Gardner also previously played for the Vallejo Admirals in the PACA. In three games, Gardner went 4-for-12 with two runs, two RBIs and a double. Prior to playing for the Admirals, Gardner began his professional baseball career with High Desert in the PECOS League. In 45 games, Gardner slashed .380/.455/.648/1.103 with 53 runs, 68 hits, 13 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 59 RBIs, 26 walks, 26 hit by pitches and three stolen bases.
A native of Fresno, Calif., Gardner finished up his college career at the University of San Diego in 2018. As a senior, Gardner slashed .281/.323/.387/.710 with 34 runs, 56 hits, 13 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 30 RBIs in 54 games.
During the summer of 2017, Gardner played for the Danville Dans of the Prospect Summer Collegiate Baseball League and the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Summer Collegiate Baseball League. Gardner received one at-bat for Cotuit and slashed .252/.333/.374/.707 with 15 runs, 27 hits, seven doubles, two home runs, 20 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 29 games.
As a junior in 2016, Gardner slashed .296/.343/.388/.731 with 28 runs, 58 hits, 13 doubles, one triple, one home run, 34 RBIs and three stolen bases in 56 games. During the summer of 2016, Gardner played for the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods Summer Collegiate Baseball League. In 17 games, Gardner, slashed .306/.370/.403/.773 with 10 runs, 22 hits, four doubles, one home run, seven RBIs, 13 stolen bases and two hit by pitches.
Prior to attending the University of San Diego, Gardner played collegiately at Fresno City College. As a sophomore in 2015, Gardner slashed .352/.464/.458/.922 with 39 runs, 63 hits, seven doubles, three triples, two home runs, 31 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and 12 hit by pitches in 46 games. As a freshman in 2014, Gardner slashed .322/.432/.355/.787/ with 22 runs, 39 hits, four doubles, 15 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 36 games.
Floyd signed his first professional baseball contract with Gary on June 16th following his senior season at Ball State University and went 0-1 with two holds and a 4.94 ERA in 12 appearances (one start). In 23.2 innings pitched, Floyd allowed 14 runs (13 earned) on 30 hits and six walks while striking out 18.
A native of Elkhart, Ind., Floyd made his professional baseball debut on June 16th vs. St. Paul and retired all six batters he faced, including a strikeout against Saints’ All-Star Max Murphy to begin his career. Floyd then tossed two hitless innings of relief in his first professional relief appearance on June 22nd against St. Paul. The right-hander also retired 13 of the first 15 batters he faced and tossed 4.1 hitless innings to begin his pro career. Floyd also recorded his first professional hold on June 28th vs. the reigning champion Kansas City T-Bones.
Floyd was named Second Team All-Mid-American Conference after going 8-0 with a 1.92 ERA in 24 games (three starts). The senior didn’t allow a run in his last 19.1 innings and yielded just 12 earned runs on 51 hits and 18 walks while striking out 55 batters in 56.1 innings.
During the summer of 2018, Floyd pitched for the Valley Blue Sox of the New England Summer Collegiate Baseball League. In nine games (four starts), the right-hander went 0-3 with a 4.20 ERA. In 30 innings pitched, Floyd yielded 14 earned runs on 34 hits and 11 walks while striking out 24.
As a junior in 2018, Floyd was named to the Academic All-MAC Team after going 5-1 with a 5.07 ERA in 22 games (four starts). In a career-high 49.2 innings, Floyd yielded 28 earned runs on 51 hits and 34 walks while striking out 41 hitters.
As a sophomore in 2017, Floyd was named Ball State’s Most Improved Player and to the Academic All-MAC Team for the first time in his career after going 2-2 with one save and a 2.21 ERA in 19 games (two starts). In 48 innings, Floyd allowed 21 runs (15 earned) on 40 hits and 27 walks while striking out 40.
As a freshman in 2016, pitched in three games, making one start. In 11 innings, the right-hander allowed six runs on 11 hits and three walks while striking out two.
Prior to signing with Ball State, Floyd attended Jimtown High School. Floyd set the school record with 78 strikeouts as a junior and was also named All-League in basketball.
In two stints with Gary, Guida slashed .135/.281/.189/.470 with seven runs, 10 hits, two doubles, one triple, nine RBIs, 12 walks and a stolen base in 28 games (18 starts). Guida signed his first professional baseball contract with Gary on May 5th and made his professional baseball debut as a defensive replacement in the season opener on May 17th against Chicago.
In four years at Roanoke College, Guida put up an impressive career slash line of .352/.435/.520, including eight home runs and 113 RBsI. His most impressive collegiate season was his last as he put up career highs in doubles (17), home runs (seven), RBI (40), walks (31), avg. (.403), OBP (.505) and SLG (.699).
Gary begins a nine-game, 10-day homestand on Tuesday vs. Winnipeg at 7:10 p.m. RailCats’ left-hander Trevor Lubking (5-7, 4.79) makes his league-high 17th start against Goldeyes’ southpaw Kevin McGovern (9-4, 4.13) in the series opener.
Tuesday’s game is Crown Point Community Library Night and features a food drive, supporting Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. Tuesday’s game is also another Community HealthNet Health Centers Tuesday and Taco Tuesday. Visit any Northwest Indiana CHN for complimentary tickets to Tuesday’s game and enjoy our beef tacos and margaritas for $2 and $5, respectively.
Ticket packages for the 2019 Gary SouthShore RailCats season are available online at railcatsbaseball.com and can also be purchased by calling the RailCats ticket line at (219) 882-BALL. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.