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Here's a look at how some athletes with local ties fared recently at the professional level:
Josh Roenicke (Nevada Union, '01); Toronto Blue Jays — Roenicke was traded from the Cincinnati Reds organization to the Toronto Blue Jays Friday just minutes before the Major League Baseball trade deadline came.
He made his Blue Jays debut Sunday, pitching a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts, a walk and a ground out.
Roenicke, who had split time between Triple-A Louisville and Cincinnati this year, is now a possible candidate for the Blue Jays' closer position, reports MLB.com.
“I'd love that,” Roenicke told the Web site. “That was always my goal — to close in the big leagues. If I get the opportunity, that's all I can ask for and just do what I can. That'd be a great role for me, I think, and obviously it'd help the team out. I'll do what I can wherever they put me.”
He pitched in 11 games for the Reds this season, posting a 2.70 ERA.
Roenicke told MLB.com the trade took him by surprise.
“It was a surprise, but it was out of my control, and I'm happy to be here,” he said. “I'll just go out there and what I can to help the team and have fun.”
Roenicke joins his little brother, Nevada Union alumnus Jason Roenicke, in the Blue Jays organization.
Steve Sitter (Bear River, '06); Washington Adventist University (Takoma Park, Md.) — On his summer break from college, Sitter is pitching for the NorCal Pirates semi-pro baseball team in the Pacific West Baseball League.
Pitching mainly in relief, Sitter has compiled two wins with no losses and is 3-for-3 in save opportunities for the Chico based team.
The Pirates are 42-16 overall and 19-9 in league, sharing first place with the Atwater Aviators. Sitter has appeared in 16 games — one as a starter — and has pitched in 28 innings, allowing eight earned runs while striking out 20. He touts a 2.57 ERA.
Peter Ruiz (Nevada Union, '05); Gulf Coast League Red Sox — Ruiz took the win on Thursday against the Gulf Coast League Reds, pitching five inning while giving up only one earned run. He allowed seven hits in the game and struck out two batters. He walked none.
Ruiz is 2-0 on the year in seven games played, starting four. He's carrying a 4.00 ERA through 27 innings of work.
Jason Roenicke (Nevada Union, '04); Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto Blue Jays Class-A affiliate) — Roenicke pitched 1 2/3 innings on Sunday, striking out one batter and giving up no runs.
Roenicke is 1-0 in six appearances with a 2.89 ERA and one save.
Gary Daley (Nevada Union, '03); Quad City River Bandits (St. Louis Cardinals class-A affiliate) — In two innings of work Saturday on the mound, Daley gave up three hits, two runs and one walk.
He's 3-3 on the year, with a 7.45 ERA in 67 2/3 innings mainly as a reliever.
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Have we missed anyone? If you know of a college/professional athlete with local ties, please contact Brian Hamilton via e-mail at bhamilton@theunion.com or by phone at (530) 477-4240.
Josh Roenicke (Nevada Union, '01); Toronto Blue Jays — Roenicke was traded from the Cincinnati Reds organization to the Toronto Blue Jays Friday just minutes before the Major League Baseball trade deadline came.
He made his Blue Jays debut Sunday, pitching a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts, a walk and a ground out.
Roenicke, who had split time between Triple-A Louisville and Cincinnati this year, is now a possible candidate for the Blue Jays' closer position, reports MLB.com.
“I'd love that,” Roenicke told the Web site. “That was always my goal — to close in the big leagues. If I get the opportunity, that's all I can ask for and just do what I can. That'd be a great role for me, I think, and obviously it'd help the team out. I'll do what I can wherever they put me.”
He pitched in 11 games for the Reds this season, posting a 2.70 ERA.
Roenicke told MLB.com the trade took him by surprise.
“It was a surprise, but it was out of my control, and I'm happy to be here,” he said. “I'll just go out there and what I can to help the team and have fun.”
Roenicke joins his little brother, Nevada Union alumnus Jason Roenicke, in the Blue Jays organization.
Steve Sitter (Bear River, '06); Washington Adventist University (Takoma Park, Md.) — On his summer break from college, Sitter is pitching for the NorCal Pirates semi-pro baseball team in the Pacific West Baseball League.
Pitching mainly in relief, Sitter has compiled two wins with no losses and is 3-for-3 in save opportunities for the Chico based team.
The Pirates are 42-16 overall and 19-9 in league, sharing first place with the Atwater Aviators. Sitter has appeared in 16 games — one as a starter — and has pitched in 28 innings, allowing eight earned runs while striking out 20. He touts a 2.57 ERA.
Peter Ruiz (Nevada Union, '05); Gulf Coast League Red Sox — Ruiz took the win on Thursday against the Gulf Coast League Reds, pitching five inning while giving up only one earned run. He allowed seven hits in the game and struck out two batters. He walked none.
Ruiz is 2-0 on the year in seven games played, starting four. He's carrying a 4.00 ERA through 27 innings of work.
Jason Roenicke (Nevada Union, '04); Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto Blue Jays Class-A affiliate) — Roenicke pitched 1 2/3 innings on Sunday, striking out one batter and giving up no runs.
Roenicke is 1-0 in six appearances with a 2.89 ERA and one save.
Gary Daley (Nevada Union, '03); Quad City River Bandits (St. Louis Cardinals class-A affiliate) — In two innings of work Saturday on the mound, Daley gave up three hits, two runs and one walk.
He's 3-3 on the year, with a 7.45 ERA in 67 2/3 innings mainly as a reliever.
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Have we missed anyone? If you know of a college/professional athlete with local ties, please contact Brian Hamilton via e-mail at bhamilton@theunion.com or by phone at (530) 477-4240.
