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June 18, 2002 Opel Signed By Baltimore Orioles Organization Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Chad Opel (Edwardsville), the seventh player in NCAA Division II baseball history to record more than 300 career hits, was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as a free agent. Opel is expected to report to Sarasota, Fla., where he will join the Gulf Coast Orioles of the Gulf Coast League, a league of rookie players. Opel batted .420 in his final season as a Cougar and was named to the first team All-Region. The shortstop completed his career with 302 hits. He also ranks fifth in the NCAA in runs scored with 229 and at bats with 850. He helped the Cougars to a 30-24 record and a third-place finish in the GLVC Tournament this past season as well as fifth-place national finish during the 2001 season. "I'm happy to see Chad get this opportunity. He certainly deserves it," said SIUE Coach Gary Collins. Opel holds career records at SIUE in runs scored and doubles with 59. He also is second all-time at SIUE in hits and at bats. He also holds single season records for at bats (274) and runs scored (82) in 2001. He played in 229 games as a Cougar and completed his career with a batting average of .355, mostly with wood bats. He is listed as a third baseman on the depth chart provided by an unofficial web site which follows the Baltimore Orioles (www.orioleshangout.com). -siue cougars- |