IUP Baseball Team Signs Two Newcomers for 2007-08 Season

The IUP baseball team has signed Gabe Grinder and Andrew Welch to national letters of intent for the 2007-08 school year.

“I am really looking forward to these two young men joining our team next year,” commented IUP head coach Jeff Ditch.  “We have a very good start to next year’s recruiting class.  Gabe and Andrew will be great additions to both the IUP baseball team and the IUP community.”

Grinder is a 6-5, 175-pound righthanded pitcher and outfielder and is currently a senior at Seneca Valley High School, playing for coach Eric Semega.  His high school team won the section title in 2006, and he is a two-year letterwinner in both baseball and basketball.

Grinder’s (right) 6-0 record on the mound led his Seneca Valley Palomino summer team to a record of 32-13, the 2006 Western Pennsylvania Elite Baseball League (WPEBL) Championship, the Tri-State North Palomino Championship and a third place finish in the NABF World Series. 

His summer team is coached by Phil Eonta and former Pittsburgh Pirate Sid Bream.  In the past three years, Grinder has compiled a 19-3 pitching record and hit .307 with 73 RBI.

“Gabe has shown a strong interest and commitment to IUP since early September.  He is a very competitive person and has a will to win,” said Ditch.  “He comes from a strong baseball community and baseball family.  Gabe has a ton of potential with his tall frame and the solid base of baseball fundamentals that he already has.”

Grinder is the son of Scott and Lynn and plans to study secondary education at IUP.  His father is a former 13-year professional baseball umpire and president of both the WPEBL and Christian Sports International.

Welch is 6-4 and 180 pounds and, like Grinder, is a righthanded pitcher and outfielder.  He is currently a senior at DuBois Central Catholic High School and plays for coach Tom Calliari. 

During his junior year Welch (left) compiled six wins on the mound while hitting .446 with four home runs and led PIAA District 9 with 37 RBI.

“Andrew has all the physical skills to help IUP become a PSAC contender,” said Calliari.  “Not only is he physically gifted, but his desire and leadership will help him be a solid college student-athlete. 

“He is a dual threat both on the mound and at the plate.  We expect him to be a top candidate for the PIAA District 9 Player of the Year this spring,” added Calliari, who was on the same Penn State baseball coaching staff as Ditch in 1997.

Welch plays American Legion baseball for coach Denny Zelenky and was a Pennsylvania American Legion East-West Showcase participant.  He was also a member of the Nittany Region Keystone Games team coached by Wayne Gordner, the DuBois Rockets coached by Tom Hibbert, the Senior League coached by Ralph Serafini and the Philipsburg Athletics coached by Mel Curtis.

Welch is the son of Ed and Kathy and plans to study business at IUP.

“The early signing period is always a fun time to think about the future, but most importantly we are excited about the future because of our current players and the things that are happening here now,” added Ditch.  “Our team is moving in the right direction and working hard to improve each day.”