July 6, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State senior relief pitcher Jim Sajewich has been named the recipient of the Duffy Bass Endowed Scholarship for his efforts in the classroom and on the field, the Illinois State Athletics Department announced Monday.
Sajewich, a native of Wheaton, Ill., served as Illinois State's closer during the 2009 season and led the team with 22 appearances. Sajewich compiled a 4-2 record and saved four games with a bullpen-leading 4.32 ERA. His 33 strikeouts in 33 innings pitched were fourth on the team and tops among Redbird relief pitchers.
""Coach Bass would appreciate what Jim means to this team," Illinois State head coach Mark Kingston said. "He is our emotional leader, and cares very much about the success of his teammates. Jim is an intense competitor, who loves to play the game. The attributes that Coach Bass believed in, Jim Sajewich carries on today."
The endowment is named after Bass, the former Redbirds skipper who led Illinois State to more than 700 wins and won the 1969 College Division National Championship. It is given each year to a junior or senior baseball player who exhibits the spirit of Bass, who retired from coaching in 1988 and passed away in spring 2008.
Sajewich was limited to six games in 2008 because of a shoulder injury and was granted a medical redshirt. His return to the pitching staff and steady leadership helped the 2009 Redbirds to their first winning season and first State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament berth since 2001. The economics major is among the Illinois State career leaders with 70 appearances.
The Duffy Bass Endowed Scholarship is one of 23 endowed scholarships available to Illinois State student-athletes that is funded by private donors. For more information about supporting this, or any other Illinois State University endowment scholarships, call The Redbird Club office at (309) 438-3803.
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