Dayton Flyers

Aug. 3, 2005

DAYTON, Ohio -  University of Dayton head baseball coach Tony Vittorio announced the commitment of two Junior College transfers who will join the Flyers for the 2006 season. Left handed pitcher/outfielder Cale Ort and right handed pitcher Chris Rubio will begin classes at UD this Fall.

"I am comfortable that this group will fill the void left in our pitching staff by the departure of Craig Stammen to the MLB Draft and the graduation of Kaleb Thompson," Vittorio said.

Ort comes to UD from Grand Rapids CC where he led his team to a National Junior College World Series Championship. He pitched six innings an allowed just two runs on three hits while fanning three batters in GRCC's 6-2 win in the semifinals at the NJCAA World Series. Overall last season, Ort was 4-2 with a 1.61 ERA and two complete-game shutouts. He had 45 strikeouts in 50.1 innings pitched while holding his opponents to a .220 average against him. At the plate, Ort hit .333 with a .365 on base percentage while collecting 20 RBI and scoring 15 runs last year.

"Caleb knows how to win on the mound and in the field," Vittorio said. "He comes from a successful program and has the ability to make an immediate impact in our program."

Chris Rubio comes to Dayton from Indian Rivers CC where he led his team to the Southern Conference Championship in his first season with a 1-0 record and a 2.57 ERA. This past year he was 3-7 with a 3.00 ERA and was named to the JC All-Star Game. As a prep player at Vero Beach High in Florida, Rubio posted a perfect 22-0 record on the mound.

"Chris is projected as a conference weekend starter for us next Spring," Vittorio said. "He has great arm strength to go along with command of his pitches and is a great competitor on the mound."

Dayton won a school-record 36 games in 2005 in its third 30-win season over the past five years under Vittorio. The Flyers placed second in the A-10 West Division with a school record 16 conference victories. UD also played its first season in recently completed Time Warner Cable Stadium and had plenty of success with an 18-4 record at its new home.