Recent Graduates: Thornton and Keele join Ozarks Pro Baseball League
OZARK, Mo. – Two former University of Dallas baseball players will continue to pursue a professional baseball career with the announcement of being signed by the Ozarks Pro Baseball League. Class of '14 Alex Thornton (Fort Worth, Texas) and class of '15 Trevor Keele (Edgewood, Texas) got signed with two teams within the league. Thornton will be suiting up for the Cottonmouths in the outfield, while Keele got signed with the Ridgerunners as a pitcher and utility player.
Keele produced a solid career in his time with the Crusaders, earning three letters along with several major postseason accolades after transferring from the United States Air Force Academy. The Edgewood, Texas, native, garnered four All-Conference recognitions, including two on First Team; an ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division III All-West Region Third Team, D3Baseball.com Third Team, two USCAA All-Americans, and Conference Offensive Player-of-the-Year.
The campaign Keele notched his best season numbers was 2014 where the first baseman slashed a .400 batting average with a career-high 54 hits. Overall, he smacked a .342-clip, with nine home runs, 141 hits, 89 RBI, 69 runs scored, 47 walks, and 13 stolen bases in 19 attempts.
On the bump, Keele combined for 30 appearances, 28 in relief. He ranks second in the program with eight career saves, tallying four in his final two seasons with the Navy and White. He also spun a career-low .71 ERA and went 2-1 in his senior year. Keele blew 19 opponents away in 12.2 innings tossed.
Thornton played four seasons with the Navy and White, collecting three letters during his final three seasons. The Fort Worth, Texas, native was selected to two All-Conference First Teams with the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) in 2013 and 2014. The outfielder also would earn SCAC All-Sportsmanship and two Spring All-Academic Team laurels.
Thornton would amass 90 hits, 23 doubles, six triples, seven homers, 71 runs scored, 52 runs batted in, 53 walks, and 17 stolen bases in 21 attempts during his tenure with UD.