Max Whieldon, a pitcher for the Seattle University baseball team during the first two seasons of the program's rebirth, has been signed by the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association, announced recently by the independent professional baseball team.
With the signing, Whieldon becomes the first Seattle U baseball player to join a professional club since the baseball program was reinstated as a NCAA sport in 2008. The 2012 season for the Explorers begins next week and goes through Labor Day weekend.
During the 2010 and 2011 seasons with the Redhawks, Whieldon pitched 144 2/3 innings, allowing 69 earned runs for a 4.29 earned run average while striking out 68 opposing batters. He was credited with the team's first victory in 2010, a 5-4 win at Portland, after allowing just five hits and one run in three innings of relief. He was also victorious after a quality start against Dallas Baptist and was named the team's pitcher of the year at the conclusion of the 2010 season.
The current Seattle University baseball team is in the midst of a three-game series against the Ohio State Buckeyes this weekend. After another road series next weekend, the Redhawks will conclude the 2012 season with a four-game homestand.