Former Bison Closer Drafted by Frontier League Team

WASHINGTON, Pa. - The Traverse City (Mich.) Beach Bums selected former North Dakota State closer Jason Mattila in the first round of the Frontier League baseball draft Tuesday, May 1.

Mattila, a right-hander from Butte, Mont., was the ninth overall pick in the draft.  He was 6-4 with eight saves and a 4.88 ERA in 34 appearances over two seasons for North Dakota State.

He transferred to NDSU in 2010 after two seasons at Miles (Mont.) Community College.  He was 3-3 with seven saves, a 3.30 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 30 innings as a senior in 2011.

Mattila struck out a career-high six batters in his May 8 win last year at South Dakota State, where he pitched seven innings for an 8-7 victory in 15 innings.

He graduated from NDSU in August 2011 with a bachelor's degree in sport and recreation leadership.