A recent flurry of activity for Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Manager and Director of Baseball Operations Butch Hobson has resulted in eight players coming to contract terms with the club, it was announced on Thursday.

 The eight players include pitchers Jason Pearson and Travis Wade, along with infielders George Sandel, Kyle Nichols and Chad Ehrnsberger; outfielders Terrence McClain and Richard Giannotti; and C Brandon Ketron.  The Blue Crabs begin spring training in Lakeland, FL on April 15.

 Pearson, a left-handed reliever from Freeport, IL, has nine years of professional experience including stints in the Major Leagues with the San Diego Padres in 2002 and St. Louis Cardinals in 2003.  He most recently pitched for the Baltimore Orioles organization with Double-A Bowie in 2006.  Pearson played under Hobson with the Nashua Pride in 2004 and 2005.

 Wade began his professional career in 1997 and spent five years with the Houston Astros organization from 1999-2003, working his way up to Triple-A New Orleans.  He led the Texas League with 23 saves and 60 appearances for Double-A Round Rock in 2001.   The native of Climax, MI has spent the last four seasons in the Atlantic League with Newark and Long Island, going 5-1 with the Ducks last year.

 Nicholas, who was originally signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, has 111 career homers in seven seasons. His best season came in 2003 when he led the California League with 31 homers, and was second with 108 RBI, on his way to being named an All-Star.  Last season, he batted .314 with 16 homers and 72 RBI with Edmonton and Calgary of the Northern League.

 Ehrnsberger has a career average of .295, including a Northern League-leading .354 and .459 on-base percentage in 2005.  He has totaled double-digits in homers each of the last three seasons, during which span he also has 182 RBI.  He and Nicholas are both right-handed hitters, which should work to their advantage in Regency Furniture Stadium.

 “With the short porch in left field, it was essential for us to go out and find some right-handed power hitters,” said Hobson.  “Chad and Kyle have both put up significant power numbers throughout their careers and should fit nicely into the middle of our line-up.”

 Sandel is no stranger to the Atlantic League, having played with the Somerset Patriots in 2005 and 2006.  McClain and Giannotti will bring speed to the outfield and line-up, as they have been among their respective league leaders in triples and stolen bases over the last four seasons.  Ketron is the first catcher signed by the Blue Crabs.

 Thursday’s eight signings come after the first three contracts in club history were announced late last week when pitchers Adam Johnson and Bradley Beck, along with 1B Ian Bladergroen, agreed to terms.

 The Blue Crabs begin their inaugural season on April 25 in Somerset, NJ and will open up at Regency Furniture Stadium on May 2.  Ticket packages, including recently-introduced, ten-game plans can now be purchased by calling 301-638-9788, or by visiting www.SOMDbluecrabs.com.    The Blue Crabs have also started taking reservations for group events at the ballpark.  Individual game tickets will go on sale in early April.