Published: August 25, 2010

Following the most impressive season of their Fordham careers, former Rams catcher, 23-year-old Angelo Ponte, FCRH ’10, and former Rams infielder, 24-year-old Ryan McCrann, CBA ’10, were signed to Major League Baseball contracts over the June 11-13 weekend. Ponte, signed by the Los Angles Dodgers, and McCrann, signed by the Tampa Bay Rays, joined their respective organizations while each team was in the midst of a playoff hunt.

Ponte began his career with the Rams in 2006. Prior to joining the team, he was a three-year varsity baseball player at Northern Valley Regional High School in New Jersey.

Ponte served as team captain and during his time at Northern Valley was a three-time all-league selection. During his senior year, he was named third team all-county and was selected as a North Jersey All-Star.

The Ram’s catcher truly came into his own during the 2010 season; his second season serving as a captain. In seasons before, Ponte had amassed a career .239 batting average, 34 career hits and 56 career RBI. This past year he set career highs with a .326 batting average, 46 hits and 26 RBI.

Ponte shined brightest during a two-game set against nationally ranked Miami-Florida. During the games, he drove in five RBIs, including going two-for-four with three RBIs in Fordham’s March 16 victory over Miami.

His three RBIs in that game were a vital part of Fordham’s first victory against a nationally ranked opponent since 2005. The catcher’s performance against Miami earned him the designation of a weekly Primetime Performer by CollegeBaseball360.com.

Ponte ended his Fordham career with a .283 batting average, 40 runs scored, 17 doubles, four home runs and 50 RBIs in 92 games. He graduated in May with a degree in sociology and a minor in business. Ponte is currently playing for the Arizona League Dodgers.

Ryan McCrann started his Fordham career as a transfer from Boston College. McCrann played both hockey and baseball at Needham High School. He served as a team captain on his baseball team in 2004 and was selected to the Bay State games Southeast Gold Medal team the same year. McCrann was named to the Extra Innings Fall Baseball All-Star Team in 2003 and 2004.

During his stay at Fordham, McCrann spent time at first base, third base and served as designated hitter.

The versatile infielder made his mark on the team as a pinch-hitter on the team during the 2007 season. He batted .625 in pinch-hit situations.

Before the previous season, McCrann had amassed a .316 career batting average, 85 hits, 46 runs, 22 doubles, 7 home runs, 44 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

The 2010 season was McCrann’s best season as a Ram. He hit a career best .355 batting average with 44 runs scored, 78 hits, 13 doubles, five home runs, 34 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. His hits, runs scored, home runs, RBIs and stolen bases were all  career highs.

The infielder led the team with 27 multi-hit games, tied for the team lead in runs scored and stolen bases, and he was second on the team in batting average, hits, doubles and home runs. McCrann’s 78 hits were the fourth highest single-season total in school history.

McCrann finished his Fordham career with a .333 batting average, 90 runs scored, 163 hits, 35 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs, 78 RBIs and 26 stolen bases in 138 games.

The infielder’s 35 doubles is tied for 15th in career doubles at Fordham and his .333 batting average is in the top 20 Fordham all-time batting averages.

He graduated in May with a degree in Business Administration. McCrann is currently assigned to the Port Charlotte Rays of the Single-A Gulf Coast League.

The two ex-Ram stars are hoping to ride the momentum from their stellar 2010 seasons all the way to the Major Leagues.