LOVES PARK, Ill. – The Rockford RiverHawks have announced their first pitcher signing for 2010.

The team announced Tuesday that it has re-signed pitcher Tyler Pearson. The right-handed reliever made six scoreless appearances for the RiverHawks after he signed as a free agent in August.

Pearson was 3-1 with a 5.08 earned-run average and a save in 29 relief appearances earlier in the year for the Ft. Worth Cats. The independent American Association team released him in August. With the RiverHawks, Pearson was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and two saves. He averaged more than a strikeout an inning with each team.

“He did a good job for us at the end of the season and we’re looking for him to compete to set up or close,” RiverHawks co-owner and director of baseball operations Dave Ciarrachi said. “If he’s anything close to that, he can definitely help us.”

Pearson, who turns 25 in April, has three years of prior professional experience. He has LS-2 status in the Northern League, the RiverHawks’ new circuit.