EDENTON, NC – The Edenton Steamers, members of the 14-team Coastal Plain League, announce today that Edenton Steamer alumni outfielder Kevin Mattison made his Major League debut with the Miami Marlins on Thursday, May 10th.

Mattison, who stands at 6’2”, 195 pounds, got into the game for the Marlins on Saturday, May 12^th, in the 9^th inning of a 9-3 loss to the New York Mets after officially being called up on the 10^th. Mattison pinch hit for catcher Brett Hayes in the bottom of the ninth inning and grounded out in his first Major League at-bat. Mattison was then sent back down to the New Orleans Zephyrs, the AAA affiliate of the Marlins. But he didn't have to wait long for his second chance to get to the big leagues. He was recalled to the big club in Miami on Thursday, May 24th and was entered into the game that night against the Giants as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 7th inning. In the game he went 0-for-3 at the plate but Mattison played three innings in left field defensively, his first defensive action, in the 14-7 loss.

Mattison donned the teal and black in Edenton for the 2007 summer before being drafted by the (then Florida) Marlins in the 28^th round in 2008 as a senior out of the University of North Carolina-Asheville. Along the way Mattison got the grand tour of the Marlins minor league system with stops in Jamestown in 2008 and Greensboro in 2009. In 2010, Mattison jumped from three different teams, spending time with Jupiter, Jacksonville and the AAA affiliate New Orleans Zephyrs before beginning 2011 back in AA with Jacksonville. After starting 2012 with the Zephyrs, Mattison did not have to wait long before being called up to the Marlins this season.

In five minor league seasons Mattison is a .244 hitter in 446 games played. Of his 421 hits, he has 68 doubles, 29 triples and 33 home runs. He has 161 RBIs and 148 stolen bases to go along with his .323 on-base percentage.

In 2007 with the Steamers Mattison hit .273 in 54 games. He scored 47 runs, hit 11 home runs and drove in 29. He drew 22 walks and went 30 for 33 in stolen bases attempts, at the time the franchise record. Mattison is still the franchise leader in runs scored in a season with his mark. He was selected as an outfielder on the National CPL All-Star team that year and went 3-for-3 in the game with an RBI and a run scored to help the National squad win 9-3.

He is the fifth Edenton Steamer alumnus to make his Major League debut and first position player after pitchers Joe Smith (Mets 2007), Ryan Sadowski (Giants 2009), Greg Holland (Royals 2010) and Evan Scribner (Padres 2011).

The Edenton Steamers are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 16th season in 2012, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 930 alumni drafted and 51 alums – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at http://www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as cpleague).