Gold Sox ink USF pitcher

It's late in the signing period, but Gold Sox manager Brad Peek thinks he may have a steal in pitcher Tony Biale.

Biale was the lone National Baseball Congress signing by the collegiate wood bat organization this week.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Biale is a junior right-handed pitcher for the University of San Francisco. He has not thrown all year for the Dons following arm surgery in the offseason but is expected to return to the mound soon, Peek said.

Biale was highly touted coming out of Feather River College in Quincy where he was a community college All-American.

“He throws in the mid to upper 80s, but his out-pitch is a devastating change-up,” Peek said. “He has all the intangibles. If he comes back to form, he's a steal for us.”

Peek said it's likely Biale would start the season in the bullpen for the Gold Sox, who open the 2004 season May 28 against the Cenco Sultans.

Yuba-Sutter also added Ryan Tash as an assistant coach. Tash actually played for the professional-label Gold Sox in 2002 before competing for two teams in the independent Northern League last year. Tash is currently an assistant college at Butte College.

Peek said Tash will help coach the hitters and coach first base.

“He's still a young guy, so we could always stick him in there in a jam,” said Peek, who used assistant coach Jack Johnson is a few games last year.

Tash will take over for Chris Terry, whose wife gave birth to a girl last week, and is staying closer to his family this summer. Terry is the head coach for the Sheldon High baseball team.

Appeal-Democrat assistant sports editor Matt O'Donnell can be reached at 749-4796. You may e-mail him at matt_odonnell@link.freedom.com.