UMBC

Eric Butkiewicz as of 7/23/04 holds a 2.06 ERA in the Alaska Summer Baseball League.

UMBC junior Eric Butkiewicz (Plainville, Conn./Plainville) continues to shine in the Alaska Summer College Baseball League playing for the Peninsula Oilers.  Butkiewicz has made a team-high 18 appearances with a 2.06 ERA for the Oilers, who currently ranked third, one game back, in the six-team league as of July 28, 2004. 

In Butkiewicz’ 18 appearances this summer he has held opponents to a .206 batting average and carried an ERA of 2.06 through 35.0 innings of work.  Butkiewicz’ ERA ranks second to teammate and closer Tim Robertson.  Butkiewicz, who will be entering his senior year in the fall of 2004 at UMBC, has allowed a mere eight earned runs, 10 overall and struck out 23 batters. 

The 6’4” pitcher picked up his second win of the season on July 23, 2004 when he threw two scoreless innings and forced a double play ball to get the Oilers out of a base loaded jam.  Following the game Butkiewicz’ coach Aric Thomas was quoted in the Peninsula Clarion on Eric performance this season.

"Eric is the unsung hero of our team," Thomas said to the Peninsula Clarion. "If I had votes for our team MVP, he would definitely get one of them."

Butkiewicz in his only start of the season won a 5-2 decision, fanning six batters and allowing two runs on three hits in his complete seven-inning game performance earlier this season. 

The Peninsula Oilers currently hold a 25-18 record overall and 19-14 league mark with just a few games left in the season.  The Oilers are playing for the Alaska Division Crown and a spot in the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan., in August.  The Oilers are comprised of players from top collegiate programs all around the country including players from Arizona State University, Florida State University, Stanford, Pepperdine and two players from the 2004 NCAA Baseball Champion Cal State Fullerton squad.

The Alaska Summer College Baseball League has a rich tradition that has included major league players such as Jason Giambi and Randy Johnson.  Collegiate players from all over North America make the summer trek to Alaska and live with host families, working jobs by day and playing ball at night.  In 2004, Fairbanks will celebrate the 99^th Midnight Sun Baseball Game. Played on the summer solstice, the annual game begins at 10:30 p.m. and never requires artificial light. 

Using the links at the top of the page fans can access internet radio broadcasts of the Peninsula Oilers or visit the Peninsula Oilers official website on all the latest statistics and updates.