June 15, 2006

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina pitcher Andrew Cruse has agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Phillies and catcher Ian Paxton has signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Cruse, a ninth round selection of the Phillies in the 2006 draft, finished his sophomore season with a 4-3 record as well as three saves in 20 appearances in 54.2 innings pitched. Cruse earned SEC Pitcher of the Week following his performance vs. Clemson in a 6-2 win on March 4. It marked Cruse’s longest outing of his career at USC with 5.2 scoreless innings of relief. He struck out a career-high seven batters and yielded just one walk and three hits.

Paxton was one of four captains on the 2006 squad and finished his senior season batting .319 with five homers and 17 RBI in 37 games played and 25 starts behind the dish. Paxton had a tremendous season defensively as well with a .996 fielding percentage and just one error. He also threw out three runners trying to steal in the first three innings of an 8-2 win over Virginia at the NCAA Regional in Charlottesville, Va.

Including Cruse and Paxton, over the last 10 seasons there have been 54 players that have played under coach Ray Tanner that have signed professional baseball contracts.