28 players to begin workouts Monday

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Of more than 50 hopefuls who arrived at QuikTrip Park for the Grand Prairie AirHogs’ open tryouts on Saturday, one caught the eye of AirHogs manager Ricky VanAsselberg and his staff to earn a spot on the AirHogs’ spring training roster.

The lucky man is pitcher Mark Herrera, a 22-year-old righty from Tomball, Texas, who has 30 innings of professional experience with the Washington Nationals organization.

After taking entrance physicals Sunday morning, Herrera and his new teammates met with the coaching staff before having a pre-season get-together at the ballpark later in the afternoon.

Full Spring Training workouts will begin on Monday. The AirHogs must trim down their 28-man Spring Training crew to 22 for the start of the season on May 17.

The 2011 American Association Champion Grand Prairie AirHogs begin the defense of their title on Thursday, May 17, against the Laredo Lemurs at 7:30 p.m. The 2012 home opener is Monday, May 21, at 7:05 p.m. against the El Paso Diablos. Check back at the team’s official Web site www.airhogsbaseball.com for any other off-season news as develops. For information on 2012 tickets, promotions, advertising, and other opportunities with the AirHogs, check out the Web site as well, or call the QuikTrip Park office at (972) 504-9383.