2008 Woodie Awards
Cougars sign with independent teams
Tony Patrico
Issue date: 7/11/07 Section: Sports
With the 2006-07 Cougar baseball season ending in early post-season play, the graduating seniors had many choices to make. Would they go into the work force and try and find a well paying job, or perhaps, would they go and try and make it to the big leagues. Two SIUE alum chose the latter.
Ryan Czyz, who was an everyday outfielder for the Cougars, recently signed with the River City Rascals of the Frontier League. The Rascals play their games at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon, Mo. While in his junior year with the Cougars, Czyz held a season batting average of .347. In his final year of play, he held a slugging percentage of .463.
Quick on the bases, Czyz also stole bases successfully 13 of 16 times. While batting .308 his final year at SIUE, Czyz was voted to the Great Lakes Valley Conference honorable mention team. In the classroom, Czyz was also a member of the All-Conference Academic Team. Czyz graduated from SIUE with a degree in Elementary Education.
In his first season with the Rascals, Czyz is batting .255 with one homerun. He currently holds a .340 slugging percentage while only committing two errors in the outfield. The Rascals' current record is 18-28.
Also on the move is former SIUE pitcher James Hertel. Hertel recently signed with the Gateway Grizzlies, who also compete in the Frontier League. The Grizzlies play their games at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Ill.
In his final year with SIUE, Hertel pitched to a 6-2 record along with a 2.42 ERA. During a game against University of Missouri-Rolla, he pitched a complete-game shutout that earned him GLVC Pitcher of the Week honors.
Hertel threw 54 strikeouts in 78 innings pitched. During his junior year, he struck out 27 batters in just 38.1 innings pitched. Hertel graduated from SIUE with a bachelor's degree in geography.
In Hertel's debut season with the Grizzlies, he's posted a 4-1 record while holding a 0.90 era. In addition to Hertel's 4-1 record, he also has earned a save. Hertel has recorded 22 strikeouts while only walking six batters. The Grizzlies currently lead the Western Division of the Frontier League with a record of 36-10.
The two former Cougars have a chance to face each other late in August of this season.
Ryan Czyz, who was an everyday outfielder for the Cougars, recently signed with the River City Rascals of the Frontier League. The Rascals play their games at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon, Mo. While in his junior year with the Cougars, Czyz held a season batting average of .347. In his final year of play, he held a slugging percentage of .463.
Quick on the bases, Czyz also stole bases successfully 13 of 16 times. While batting .308 his final year at SIUE, Czyz was voted to the Great Lakes Valley Conference honorable mention team. In the classroom, Czyz was also a member of the All-Conference Academic Team. Czyz graduated from SIUE with a degree in Elementary Education.
In his first season with the Rascals, Czyz is batting .255 with one homerun. He currently holds a .340 slugging percentage while only committing two errors in the outfield. The Rascals' current record is 18-28.
Also on the move is former SIUE pitcher James Hertel. Hertel recently signed with the Gateway Grizzlies, who also compete in the Frontier League. The Grizzlies play their games at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Ill.
In his final year with SIUE, Hertel pitched to a 6-2 record along with a 2.42 ERA. During a game against University of Missouri-Rolla, he pitched a complete-game shutout that earned him GLVC Pitcher of the Week honors.
Hertel threw 54 strikeouts in 78 innings pitched. During his junior year, he struck out 27 batters in just 38.1 innings pitched. Hertel graduated from SIUE with a bachelor's degree in geography.
In Hertel's debut season with the Grizzlies, he's posted a 4-1 record while holding a 0.90 era. In addition to Hertel's 4-1 record, he also has earned a save. Hertel has recorded 22 strikeouts while only walking six batters. The Grizzlies currently lead the Western Division of the Frontier League with a record of 36-10.
The two former Cougars have a chance to face each other late in August of this season.
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