SID: Karen Madsen (605) 274-4335
Fax: (605) 274-5298
E-mail: madsen@cars.augie.edu
Web Site: www.augie.edu/athletics

May 21, 2002

Augustana's Andy Salmela Signs With Sioux City Explorers

SIOUX FALLS - Augustana first baseman Andy Salmela was signed Monday night by the Sioux City Explorers of the Northern League.

Salmela, Cottage Grove, Minn., will graduate Sunday, May 26, with a degree in computer science. Last week he was named to the 2002 All-North Central Conference baseball team for the second time. He was also selected to the Academic All-Conference team for maintaining a 3.20 grade point average.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder leaves Augustana with three career records. He set marks for doubles (40), RBIs (145), and hits (185). This season he led the Vikings in hitting (.400), hits (66), doubles (17), home runs (6), and RBIs (45).

“I'm very excited for Andy,” said Augustana head baseball coach Jeff Holm. “Every college kids dreams about getting a chance to play pro baseball.”

While at Augustana Salmela made dramatic improvement at the plate after hitting just .215 in 1999. He progressed each season, hitting .330 his sophomore year, and .390 as a junior.

The Explorers are managed by Benny Castillo, former assistant coach at Augustana.

Augustana finished the 2002 season with a 26-24 record. Included was an 11-11 mark in the NCC.