Dawgs sign sophomore infielder from Columbia University for 2017!
The DiamondDawgs are pleased to announce the signing of slick fielding infielder Joe Engle from Columbia University!
“ We are very excited to have Joe for the summer 2017 “, said DiamondDawgs owner and president Travis Heiser. ” Joe is a slick fielding who will be a major contributor for Columbia University this season. According to his coaches Joe is expected to start either at second base or shortstop when they start their season. We have had 2 players from Columbia in previous seasons that were impact players and MLB draft picks and we are told Joe could be another that follows that path. Last summer while playing in the Midwest Collegiate baseball league he was a league All-Star and was named MVP of the All-Star game”.
“I can’t wait to get to Mohawk valley to meet the players and coaches and learn what the Diamond Dawgs are all about “, stated Engle . “I’m really looking forward to playing some solid baseball and winning games this summer. My goals for the summer season are to get stronger and to play the game relaxed but focused .”
Please join us in welcoming Joe to the DiamondDawgs Family!
Go Dawgs!
Joe Engle profile:
2016 with Columbia: Joe was a major contributor for the Lions in 2016 despite being just a true freshman. He appeared in 33 games in which he started 29 of them where he recorded fifteen base hits, seven doubles and one triple while driving in eight runs. His glove was no slouch either as he earned a very respectable .942 fielding percentage while manning the middle infield.
Click link to see diving catch by Joe! http://www.gocolumbialions.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?&db_oem_id=9600&id=5268798
At Downers Grove South High School: Earned three letters playing shortstop and second base… West Suburban All-Conference and All-Area shortstop in 2015… Won Golden Glove Award in 2014 and 2015… Hit .395 with 17 stolen bases and 41 runs scored during senior campaign… Helped Downers Grove win pair of regional championships in 2014 and 2015 and a sectional crown in 2014… Illinois State Scholar… AP Scholar… Prairie State Achievement Award in math and science… Named to West Suburban Conference All-Academic and IHSA All-Academic squads in 2014 and 2015.
Personal: Intended major in Economics… Parents are Carol and Kurt Engel… Father played for Bradley University from 1974-79 and had a minor league stint with the San Francisco Giants… Brother, Kyle, played four years at University of Chicago and was a ABCA/Rawlings All-American in 2015… Born May 27, 1997.