Four more 2010 signings

TOPEKA, KS - The Topeka Golden Giants are proud to announce four more signees for the 2010 summer collegiate baseball season. The addition of these four players will increase the signed roster to 10 players for the upcoming season. Already committed for 2010 are Robbie Rea, Tobi Cowdin, Andrew Melanson, Blake Stroth, Dale Ricketts and Cory Deedrick.

The Golden Giants welcome these players to the family and are excited to see them on the field at Lake Shawnee this summer.

Nick Parent - University of California Santa Barbara (C)
6-2 / 200lbs from Palo Cedro, CA

Parent, a three-time letter winner at Foothill High school in California had five home runs, 30 RBI, 15 runs scored and stole three bases in his senior year. He was an all-league selection, all-section pick and was named Best Defensive Third Baseman. Against Red Bluff in the CIF semifinals his senior season, he went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two walks, helping the Cougars win in the bottom of the 11th. In 2008 he helped his team win the league championship and CIF section title. Last year he posted a 3.4 GPA. Nick is the son of former Major League catcher Mark Parent, who played for San Diego, Texas, Baltimore, Chicago (NL), Pittsburgh, Detroit and Philadelphia.

John Vaccaro - University of California Santa Barbara (IF)
6-2 / 195lbs from Berkeley, CA

A well-decorated athlete at Miramonte High, John earned six total varsity letters in baseball and football. In his senior season, he batted .512 with 35 RBI, four home runs, 38 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. He was also an effective pitcher, posting a 9-1 record and 2.30 ERA, as he struck out 40 batters in 60 innings. As a freshman Vaccaro tossed a three-hit shutout against Piedmont in the Spring Break Tournament championship game. He also hit a pair of home runs vs. Campolindo in a North Coast Section playoff game. Vaccaro was named the Diablo Foothill Athletic League MVP in 2009 and was a three-time all-league selection. John was named a First Team All-State pick courtesy of calhisports.com and led his team to NCS title as a senior. He made it to the North Coast Section playoffs all four years of his baseball career. In 2007, as a member of the Matadors football team, helped squad to the North Coast Section championship and earned Athletic Academic Honors, posting a GPA over the 3.50 requirement.

Kevin Sweeney - Drury University (P)
6-4 / 200lbs Overland Park, Kansas

Kevin was a first team All-State and All-Eastern Kansas League selection for St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park. He earned second team all-metro honors and was a first team All-Sun pick. He was named the 2009 MVP for St. Thomas Aquinas and helped Aquinas to a third place finish in 2008 and 2009. Kevin was named to the Jim Draper All-Tournament team and was an honorable mention All-Eastern Kansas League selection in basketball. He helped the Aquinas basketball team to a third place state finish, was on the Principal's Honor Roll and was a first team All-Eastern Kansas League Scholar Athlete.

Josh Cyr - University of North Alabama (IF)
6-1 / 240lbs Huntsville, AL

Cyr played first base, third base, and catcher at Westminster Christian Academy under head coach John Honea. He helped lead the Wildcats to the state playoffs every year from 2006-2009. Cyr was named all-state in 2008 and 2009 and holds the school record for most home runs in a season. He had a slugging percentage of .695 and a batting average of .579 and drew 31 walks in 2009.