Thursday, August 25, 2011

Former USI standout called up to major leagues

Photo by Toronto Blue Jays Photo Credit: Photo Provided HI-RES | WEB RELATED VIDEO:  RELATED AUDIO:  Contact for more information: Ray Simmons Sports Information Director 812/465-1622 email Former University of Southern Indiana All-American baseball player Darin Mastroianni was called up to the major leagues this week by the Toronto Blue Jays and started in centerfield Wednesday night against the Kansas City Royals in Toronto. The rookie outfielder was hitting .266 in the minor leagues this season with 35 RBIs, 28 stolen bases, and three home runs while splitting time between Toronto's New Hampshire Double-A team and Las Vegas Triple-A squad. Mastroianni was drafted in the 16th round by Toronto in 2007 after leading the Eagles to their first NCAA Division II regional championship and a third-place finish in the Division II World Series. The former All-American second baseman batted .409 for the Eagles in 2007 with a school-record 97 hits and 64 stolen bases. USI fans can see the Blue Jays battle the Royal at 6:05 p.m. (CDT) tonight on MLB.tv or on Fox Sports Kansas City and Toronto. Mastroianni is the third Screaming Eagle to play in the majors and the first USI player to get the call up since Kevin Brown joined the Texas Rangers in 1996. Brown also played for the Blue Jays in 1998 and 1999. The first Eagle to play in the majors was Jeff Schulz in the 1980s as a member of the Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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