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Illinois State University Athletics

Summer Baseball Update: Long Signs Professional Contract

June 13, 2012

NORMAL, Ill. -Former Illinois State closer Kenny Long inked a professional contract with the Houston Astros Sunday, less than one week after being drafted in the 22nd round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He reported to the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League Wednesday to begin his professional baseball career.

Thirteen of Long's former teammates are competing in summer collegiate baseball leagues. GoRedbirds.com will update the status of each player every Wednesday, with daily updates occurring on the official Illinois State Baseball Twitter account, @REDBIRDBaseball.

In addition to summer collegiate baseball leagues, six former Redbirds are competing in professional baseball, highlighted by Jeremy Accardo, who was recalled by the Cleveland Indians May 14. Former `Birds Neal Cotts (Round Rock Express), Ryan Copeland (Palm Beach Cardinals), Ryan Court (South Bend Silver Hawks) and Kevin Dubler (Kannapolis Intimidators) join Long in the affiliated minor leagues.

Illinois State Baseball Players in Collegiate Summer Leagues - Stats Updated as of Wednesday, June 13
(Batters splits are Average/On-base Percentage/Slugging Percentage)
Eric Aguilera | Lakeshore Chinooks| Northwoods League | Link to Lakeshore Bio
.327/.373/.527, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 5 2B, 7 R, 2-2 SB
- Hit his second home run of the summer in a 9-5 win Sunday, June 10, against Wisconsin.
- Went 2-4 with three RBI and a two-run home run Friday, June 8, versus Battle Creek.
Paul DeJong | Will County Cracker Jacks | Midwest Collegiate League | Link to Will County Bio
.071/.133/.143, 3 RBI, 1 2B, 2 R
- Went 1-5 with a two-run double, a run scored and a walk against Northwest Indiana Wednesday, June 6.
- Has appeared in three games, all as a starting catcher.
Brett Kay | Thunder Bay Border Cats | Northwoods League | Link to Thunder Bay Bio
.375/.415/.500, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 2B, 11 R, 6-6 SB
- Opened season with a seven-game hitting streak, batting .393/.419/.533 during that stretch.
- Launched a three-run home run in a 2-4, four RBI effort Saturday, June 2, at Rochester.
Joe Kelch | Quincy Gems | Prospect League | Link to Quincy Bio
.357/.486/.500, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 1 2B, 6-6 SB
- Went 3-4 with one double, one RBI and one stolen base Tuesday, June 12, at Hannibal.
- Hit his first home run of the summer, while driving in two, on a 2-3 night, Wednesday, May 30, versus Hannibal.
Johnny Lieske | New Bedford Bay Sox | Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League | Link to New Bedford Bio
0-0, 3.38 ERA, 1 app. (relief), 2.2 IP, 2 K, 1 BB
- Threw 2.2 innings in relief, fanning two, Sunday, June 10, against Sandford.
Brian Rodemoyer | DuPage County Hounds | Midwest Collegiate League | Link to DuPage County Bio
.200/.294/.400 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1-1 SB
- Clubbed his first home run of the summer, Wednesday, June 6, at Southland.
- Went 2-4 with one walk, one stolen base and one run scored at Illinois Tuesday, June 5.
Kyle Stanton | Alton Indians | St. Louis Metro Collegiate Baseball League | Link to Alton Bio
.417/.444/.417, 2 RBI, 4 R
- Went 4-4 with one RBI and one run scored Monday, June 11, at Kirkwood.
- Recorded three hits Friday, June 8, against Bridgeton.
Zac Johnson | Oneonta Outlaws | Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League | Link to Oneonta Bio
.313/.353/.500, 5 RBI, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 R
- Clubbed a two-run double in a 2-4 effort at Elmira Sunday, June 10.
- Went 2-4 with one double, one triple and two RBI versus Cooperstown Friday, June 8.
Jeremy Rhoades | Oneonta Outlaws | Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League | Link to Oneonta Bio
2-0, 0.00 ERA, 3 app. (all relief), 1 SV, 3.0 IP, 7K, 0 BB
- Recorded his first save, tossing a scoreless ninth inning with one strike out at Elmira Sunday, June 10.
- Struck out six batters over two scoreless innings Friday, June 8, at Newark.
Matt Schmitt | Oneonta Outlaws | Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League | Link to Oneonta Bio
1-0, 2.70 ERA, 1 app. (relief), 3.1 IP, 2 K, 3 BB
- Earned a victory in relief, pitching 3.1 innings with two strikeouts against Cooperstown Friday, June 8.
JD Learnard | Lexington Snipes | Chicago Suburban Baseball League | Link to Lexington Bio
0-0, 27.00 ERA, 1 app. (relief), 1.0 IP
- Has made one appearance, working one inning Saturday, June 2, versus Westmont .
Chris Razo | Lexington Snipes | Chicago Suburban Baseball League | Link to Lexington Bio
2-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 app. (both starts), 14.0 IP, 24 K, 4 BB, 2 CG
- Pitched a complete game one hit shutout, with 13 strikeouts Saturday, June 9, against Crestwood.
- In his first start, threw a complete game shutout while allowing only two hits and striking out eleven, Saturday, June 2, versus Westmont.
Dan Savas | Lexington Snipes | Chicago Suburban Baseball League | Link to Lexington Bio
0-0, 6.52 ERA, 3 app. (two starts), 9.2 IP, 1 SV, 11 K, 6 BB
- Notched his first save, working a perfect seventh inning Wednesday, June 6, against DuPage.
- Worked five innings, allowing one run and striking out five Saturday, June 2, versus Westmont.
Former Illinois State Baseball Players in the Pros - Stats Updated Wednesday, June 13
Jeremy Accardo | Cleveland Indians| American League - Major League Baseball | Link to Cleveland Bio
0-0, 3.95 ERA, 11 app. (all relief), 13.2 IP, 13 K, 5 BB
- Did not allow a run from May 25 through June 9 (9 IP), while striking out eleven.
- Threw 2.2 scoreless innings, striking out three at Chicago (AL), Saturday, May 26.
Neal Cotts | Round Rock Express - Texas Rangers | Triple-A Pacific Coast League | Link to Round Rock Bio
0-0, 5.40 ERA, 1 app. (relief), 1.2 IP, 3 K, 1 BB
- Struck out three batters over 1.2 innings in his 2012 debut Monday, June 11, at Albuquerque.
- Last pitched in Major League Baseball for the 2009 Chicago Cubs.
Ryan Copeland | Palm Beach Cardinals - St. Louis Cardinals | Class A-Advanced Florida State League | Link to Palm Beach Bio
Has not pitched (60-day disabled list)
- Last year went 4-4, 4.94 ERA, 19 app. (11 starts), 82 IP, 82K, 15 BB for the Quad Cities River Bandits, the Midwest League A-affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Named a 2010 MiLB.com St. Louis Cardinals Organizational All-Star.
Ryan Court | South Bend Silver Hawks - Arizona Diamondbacks | Class A Midwest League | Link to South Bend Bio
.216/.273/.288, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2-2 SB
- Went 2-4 with one home run and three RBI Tuesday, June 12, at Lake County.
- Reached base three times and added a run scored versus Great Lakes Thursday, June 7.
Kevin Dubler | Kannapolis Intimidators - Chicago White Sox | Class A-Advanced South Atlantic League | Link to Kannapolis Bio
.217/.250/.391, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 2B, 2R
- Reached base safely in four-of-his-first-five games..
- Launched a home run at Hagerstown Thursday, June 7.
Kenny Long | Tri-City ValleyCats - Houston Astros | Short Season Class A New York-Penn League | Link to Tri-City Bio
Has not pitched (Season begins June 18)
- Selected in the 22nd round of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Wednesday, June 6
GoRedbirds.com
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