June 25, 2010
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State redshirt junior relief pitcher Kenny Long 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 Friday.
The Fox River Grove, Ill. native finished his redshirt sophomore year ranked third nationally with a 1.38 ERA, which was a season-low for the Redbirds, and he led Illinois State in saves (9) and appearances (31). Long helped the Redbirds win their first-ever Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title and their first State Farm Valley Tournament championship since 1994, as he went 4-4 in 2010, he struck out 74, allowed just 22 walks and limited opposing hitters to .183.
"Coach Duffy Bass would be very proud to be represented by Kenny Long," Illinois State head coach Mark Kingston said. "Kenny was instrumental in us becoming MVC Champions. He comes to the park every day with a smile on his face and a great desire to win. He is the type of throwback player that coach Bass would love."
Long is pitching in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League this summer for the Orleans Firebirds. So far, he is 2-1 with a 2.35 ERA through 10.2 innings pitched. Along with his success on the mound, Long - a history major - has earned a spot on Illinois State's AFNI Honor Roll for three semesters and he has compiled a 3.05 cumulative grade-point average (GPA).
The Duffy Bass Endowed Scholarship 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.
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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