AVON - The Frontier League's Most Valuable Pitcher from 2009 Paul Fagan will be returning to the mound for the Crushers at All Pro Freight Stadium for Opening Day on Friday.

Fagan was traded back to the Crushers from the Windy City Thunderbolts for a player to be named.

Fagan led the Frontier League in 2009 with 16 wins and was a member of both the 2009 All Star Team and was named to the post-season All Star team. He helped the Crushers win the Frontier League Championship with a 2-1 record in the playoffs. He completed the Crushers inaugural season with a 2.70 ERA in 140 innings.

After the 2009 season, Baseball American honored Fagan by placing him on the Second Team All Independent League Team. Fagan was then traded from the Crushers to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League. He made his way back into the Frontier League this offseason when he was signed by the Windy City Thunderbolts.

“I am very excited to get Paul back," said Crushers manager John Masserelli in a press release from the team. "We are hoping that he can regain the dominance he had during the 2009 championship season."

“Bringing back the Frontier League’s best pitcher from our inaugural season was important to ownership and the team. Paul Fagan will be a leader in the clubhouse and give Mazz a true talent on the mound. He was worth a five hour negotiation and is looking for another ring, which is a good thing for the future of the Crushers this season,” said team owner Steven Edelson.