Wednesday, October 02, 2002

Johnson City, Tenn. (Oct. 2, 2002) - East Tennessee State's baseball team picked up another pitching arm for the 2003 season with the transfer of Willie McKenzie to the Bucs from Louisville. McKenzie, a native of Kingsport and a graduate of Sullivan South High School where he was a teammate of former ETSU hurler Reid Casey, is a big right hander that will give ETSU more pitching depth for the upcoming 2003 season. Last year at Louisville, the 6-8, 235-lb. McKenzie appeared in 12 games for the Cardinals, all in relief. He did not have a decision, posting a 5.19 ERA in 17.1 innings of work, striking out 15 hitters. "Willie is a great addition to our staff," said ETSU head baseball coach Tony Skole. "He comes to us from a very successful Louisville program which went to the NCAA Tournament last year. He has already had a couple of solid outings for us this fall. As he continues to get himself in better condition, he will only improve. Willie's velocity has been great so far. He has already hit between 90 and 94 mph in the fall."