masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgEarlier this week, Aberdeen IronBirds manager Gary Kendall said Justin Anderson could be his opening night starting pitcher on Friday, but he was not for certain at that point. Today, it has been confirmed that Anderson will get the ball on Friday night at 7:35 p.m. when the Birds host Hudson Valley at Ripken Stadium.

Anderson was drafted in the 24th round last June by the O’s. He spent the majority of last season with the Bluefield Orioles going 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA and 34 strikeouts in…Earlier this week, Aberdeen IronBirds manager Gary Kendall said Justin Anderson could be his opening night starting pitcher on Friday, but he was not for certain at that point. Today, it has been confirmed that Anderson will get the ball on Friday night at 7:35 p.m. when the Birds host Hudson Valley at Ripken Stadium.

Anderson was drafted in the 24th round last June by the O’s. He spent the majority of last season with the Bluefield Orioles going 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 39.2 innings pitched. Anderson also made one start for the IronBirds in 2009 and threw five innings while striking out two batters.

The Orioles 21st round draft pick from last week, right-hander Scott Copeland, will start on Saturday. Copeland went 11-1 for Southern Mississippi during the 2010 college season with a 3.75 ERA.

Rounding out the weekend rotation will be right-hander Justin Moore. Moore was a 26th round draft pick by the Orioles in 2007. He spent all of last season with Bluefield and went 4-3 with a 3.11 ERA.

The IronBirds also report that they have sold out their season tickets for the ninth straight season. Group packages and standing room only tickets, however, are still available for the 2010 season. For ticket information, contact the box office at (410) 297-9292 or visit their website at IronBirdsbaseball.com.