STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

More

Share and Enjoy [?]

Florida Gulf Coast University senior left-hander Ryan Williams became the third Eagle from last season’s 41-17 team to sign a major league contract when the Estero native inked as a free agent with Cincinnati this week.

Williams will be assigned to the Reds’ affiliate in the Gulf Coast Rookie League based in Sarasota.

Williams (5-11, 185) could not be reached for comment Wednesday, but FGCU coach Dave Tollett said he has a shot at catching on with the Reds’ organization.

“He’s a lefty, you know?” Tollett said. “Those guys always get a look. He’s a guy that’s going to give you a chance to win. If he’s on, he can really pitch.”

FGCU senior third baseman Jason Louwsma was drafted by the Reds in the 29th round.

Junior right-hander Justin Stiver — who was taken by Houston in the 17th round — signed after becoming the first-ever FGCU draftee.

In 2004, Williams led FGCU with eight wins and two complete games while posting an ERA of 2.78 and striking out a team-high 73 batters. Williams sat out the 2005 season as a medical red-shirt.

Last season, Williams went 6-1 with a 4.20 ERA. He pitched 55.2 innings and struck out 65.

Instrumental in helping the Eagles to their first-ever NCAA Tournament last season, Williams got the win in FGCU’s 10-7 victory against fourth-ranked Catawba in the NCAA South Region matchup at the University of Tampa on May 20. He pitched 5Ð innings, allowing eight hits and five earned runs while racking up six strikeouts against two walks.

“I thought at the end of the year, he was our best pitcher,” Tollett said.

A four-year player and two-time captain for Estero High coach Frank Turco, Williams was voted team MVP his senior season. Williams began his collegiate career at Pasco-Hernando Community College in New Port Richey in 2002. As a sophomore, he posted a 4-1 record.