Williamsburg, KY – Two months after closing out stellar careers for the Patriots a pair of UC alumni baseball players have signed professional contracts.  Bryan Leef and Colton Easterwood, who both have etched their name in the program record books, have signed the pro contracts and are weeks into their respective professional careers.

Leef signed with the Missoula Paddleheads out of the Pioneer League and made his debut on July 18.  The former Patriot slugger was a two-time NAIA All-American, 2021 MSC Player of the Year, and two-time MSC First Team All-Conference selection.  The Yorba Linda, CA native led the Patriots in six offensive categories this season, including lead the NAIA in homers, while ranking second in slugging and eight in RBI's.  Leef set program records homeruns, RBI, and runs scored, while also holding UC's career homerun mark. 

So far this summer, Leef played in eight games, posting a .316 average with six hits and five runs scored for Missoula.  In his debut on July 18, Leef went 2-4 with a double and run scored.  He has also tallied four RBI's, a homerun, and a stolen base.  Leef was traded to the Florence Y'Alls of the Frontier League on Friday and will be returning to the Bluegrass State.  The Y'Alls schedule goes until the second week in September.

Easterwood posted a successful career for the Patriots going 19-7 overall with a 3.38 ERA and a program-best 293 strikeouts.  He notched 119 strikeouts and tallied a 2.52 ERA during his final season with the Patriots earning him MSC First Team All-Conference honors.  His success opened the door for the Troy, TN native to sign with the Gateway Grizzly of the Frontier League.

Since making his debut on June 11 against Windy City, Eastwood has compiled a 2-3 record with 34.1 innings pitched and 35 strikeouts.  Easterwood has pitched in 13 games, starting four of them, and earned his first win on July 10 in the 6-3 win over Florence.  That carried over into his next outing against Lake Erie, which he pitched two innings of hitless baseball and struck out four for his second consecutive win.  Easterwood has continued to provide quality innings out of the bullpen for the Grizzlies, who are 27-30 on the season with the season continuing until the second week in September.

The Patriots are coming off a 46-8 record, which is the second most wins in a season in program history. For UC it marks their third straight regular season crown and third tournament title since the MSC started in 1997.

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