BUIES CREEK, N.C. –
Former Fighting Camel Jeff Randol signed a professional contract
with the Rockford (Ill.) RiverHawks of the Frontier League and Joe
Anthonsen re-signed for his second season with the club it was
recently announced. Randol, who pitched and played outfield for CU,
signed as a pitcher, while Anthonsen will play second base for the
Hawks.
Randol donned the
Orange and Black from 2004-06, transferring from Southeastern
Community College after his freshman year. Randol's appearances as
a starter and a reliever were split nearly 50/50, as he started in
14 of his 30 appearances. In 105 career innings he sported a 5.94
ERA, striking out 61 batters en route to a 4-10 record. Randol's
best season on the mound came in 2005 when he earned all four of
his career victories, going 4-4 with a 6.05 ERA in 14 appearances.
In March of that season, Randol no-hit Siena through seven innings,
striking out eight in what was his arguably the best outing of his
career.
Though he signed as a
pitcher, Randol posted solid numbers at the plate, batting .291 and
spreading 122 hits, 59 RBI, four home runs and 21 stolen bases out
over three seasons. His best season came in 2004 when he batted
.311 with one home run, 33 RBI and nine stolen bases.
Anthonsen's contributions in
his first season with the Hawks were valuable, as he was named to
the Western Division all-star team at the mid-season mark.
Anthonsen was a regular in the RiverHawks' infield appearing in 93
games, hitting .287 with 39 RBIs and 22 stolen bases, helping
propel Rockford into the Frontier League playoffs.
Anthonsen spent two years
with the Camels after transferring from Iowa Central Community
College in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The Cottage Grove, Minn. native stayed
at the top of the lineup for his two years at CU, playing third,
short and second base for the Camels. His efforts earned him a
second-team All Atlantic-Sun nod his senior season, as he put up a
.336 average in 111 career games. Anthonsen was a catalyst at the
top of the lineup using a .453 on-base percentage and a 2-to-1 walk
to strikeout ratio to set the table for the Campbell
lineup.
The Frontier League is
entering its 15th year of existence, headquartered in
Troy, Ill. The Frontier League is a
twelve-team independent professional baseball league with franchises
in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and
Pennsylvania. Randol, Anthonsen and the RiverHawks open their 2007
season on May 24 in Crestwood, Illinois against the Windy City
ThunderBolts.
