For Immediate Release                                                                                                                  Contact: Chuck Paiva 

April, 24th 2024                                                                                                                                President & General Manager

                                                                                                                                                      401-845-6832// gm@newportgulls.com

   Newport, RI- The Newport Gulls’ 2024 season is powered by A1 Roofing’s Solar Division, and one key to a sunny, successful season is solid pitching. Today’s Solar Signings, Mason Ulsh (Quinnipiac) and Nicholas Robert (UMiami) offer the ability to help on that quest, with both RHPs having the ability to start on the rubber or come out of the bullpen in a clutch situation.

   Both Quinnipiac University’s Mason Ulsh and the University of Miami’s Nicholas Robert are making their Newport debuts this season. Ulsh, a Senior from Auburn, PA brings two seasons of NECBL experience to Newport this summer, having previously pitched for the Bristol Blues. Last season, as a 21-year-old, he recorded a 3.74 ERA in seven appearances, five of which came as starts. Known for his exceptional control, Ulsh averaged less than one walk per game, with a BB/9 of 0.8 in contrast to his 6.2 strikeouts per 9 innings. Known for his slider, which has been recorded with more than 20 inches of horizontal movement, Ulsh excels at getting batters to swing and miss, allowing him to rack up Ks.

 The Junior from Quinnipiac has expanded his game to become a more aggressive pitcher, with 44 strikeouts in only 48.0 innings worked. In his most recent outing, he pitched seven innings of one run, ten strikeout ball against Canisius. With this being his first collegiate season as an exclusive starting pitcher, Ulsh has shown expanded versatility, making him a weapon for the Gulls coaching staff to take advantage of, whether from play ball or in the top of the 9th.

  In contrast to the experienced arm of Ulsh, Nicholas Robert brings some youthful vigor to help spark Newport on its path toward grabbing Fay Vincent Sr. Cup #8. Robert, a 6’6” righty from Stuart, FL has had a smooth transition to ACC baseball as a freshman at the University of Miami. In 29.1 Innings of work this season, Robert is 5-3 with a 4.30 ERA and three saves, establishing himself as the closer for a team currently contending for a spot in the ACC tournament. Robert’s fastball reliably hits 92-93 MPH and has topped out at 94 this season. Throw in a curveball that comes to home plate around 77 MPH and a changeup that leaves batters guessing, and it is no wonder that Robert has earned the nickname “Houdini” from the Hurricanes faithful.

   Robert and Ulsh will both look to bring the magic to Cardines Field this summer as members of the Gulls. Keep an eye out for more Solar Signings as A1 Roofing continues to power the Gulls through opening day and beyond!