Villanova University

Sept. 7, 2007

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Junior pitcher Josh Eidell (Norristown, Pa.) was identified by the baseball website pgcrosschecker.com as one of the top 20 prospects from the Valley League this summer, it was announced recently. The league's top prospects were chosen by league managers and scouts along with Allan Simpson from PG Crosschecker.

Eidell pitched for the Woodstock River Bandits over the summer after helping lead Villanova to its first BIG EAST Tournament appearance in 10 years during his sophomore season. As the top starting pitcher for the River Bandits, Eidell compiled a 5-1 record and 2.73 ERA in nine starts. In 59 1/3 innings pitched, Eidell allowed just 42 hits and 14 walks while striking out 79, averaging nearly 12 strikeouts per nine innings.

The summer started off on a high note and kept rolling thereafter for Eidell. In his first start for Woodstock, he pitched a three-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts and no walks against Haymarket to give the River Bandits a 1-0 win. Eidell finished the season ranked third in the league in strikeouts, fifth in batting average against and sixth in innings pitched.

Of the 20 top prospects chosen from the league, 12 were pitchers and scouts around the league noted the improved pitching depth in the league this season. Pitchers in the Valley League compiled an overall 3.70 ERA for the season, improving on marks from 2006 (3.88) and 2005 (3.97).

As a sophomore for the Wildcats last season, Eidell pitched in 20 games with eight starts. He began the season in the team's starting rotation but by the end of the season had become one of the team's most valuable pitchers for his ability to stabilize the bullpen in the late innings of games. In his 12 relief appearances, Eidell compiled a 2-0 record with four saves and a 3.60 ERA. He did not allow a run in nine of his 12 relief appearances.

Eidell saved his best performances for Villanova for the team's most important games. On May 18 against Rutgers, he pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the victory in a 12-inning triumph that clinched the team's first postseason berth since 1997. In the BIG EAST Tournament against Notre Dame, he pitched two scoreless innings to earn the save in a 3-2 victory.

The summer season was a successful one for many of the Wildcat players. Eidell was joined in the Valley League by fellow pitchers Brian Streilein (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Kevin Crimmel (Harrisburg, Pa.). Both pitched for the Front Royal Cardinals.