University of Massachusets Athletics
Szado Signs With Chicago White Sox
June 11, 2001 | Baseball
June 11, 2001
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts senior lefthanded pitcher Craig Szado (Monson, Mass.) has signed a professional contract with the Chicago White Sox organization. Szado signed with the White Sox following a workout in Amherst on Monday afternoon, and is expected to report to camp in Arizona on Thursday.
Szado posted a 6-3 record this season with a 5.32 earned run average and 43 strikeouts as UMass' top starting pitcher. He led the Minutemen with six complete games among his 10 starts, and ranked second on the team with 66 innings pitched. Szado's top outing of the season came against George Washington in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, when he allowed only two earned runs in a nine-inning complete game victory. Over the course of his UMass career, Szado had an overall record of 14-14 with a 4.92 earned run average and 167 strikeouts. He also tossed 10 complete games and picked up two saves in 212-1/3 innings pitched.
Szado becomes the 30th Minuteman to sign a professional contract during Mike Stone's 14-year tenure as the head coach at UMass, on a list which includes current major leaguers Gary DiSarcina (Anaheim), Chad Paronto (Baltimore) and Ron Villone (Colorado). Last week, senior outfielder Nick Gorneault (Springfield, Mass.) was selected by the Anaheim Angles in the 19th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Szado led UMass to an overall record of 27-19 during the 2001 season. The Minutemen posted a 16-6 record in Atlantic 10 Conference games, and won the league regular season title.
