Class of 2012 Baseball Pitcher Schweiss continues strong Summer with Cornbelters
NORMAL, Ill. – An update on University of Dallas alumni baseball pitcher Michael Schweiss ('12) with the Normal Cornbelters reflects solid numbers through most of August. Since beginning the month with a tough outing of five runs surrendered in three innings – the Cornbelters prevailed 24-10 – Schweiss has earned three victories in just as many appearances.
On August 8, versus Rockford, the native of Parker, Colo., fired a complete game, three-hit shutout - his first this season - and tied a season-high 14 punch outs. Over his most recent pair of starts, the righty has compiled 13.2 innings, seven runs surrendered (six earned), 14 hits, three walks, and 16 strikeouts. Schweiss retired eight opposing hitters via strikeout in each appearance. In five of the past six outings the right-hander has been on the mound, the Cornbelters have been victorious.
Overall on the campaign, the Dallas baseball record holder in career games played (68) and saves (9) has reflected a 7-7 record while spotting a 3.42 earned run average (ERA). Schweiss has already set a career-high in starts (18) in his third year with the Independent Professional Frontier League, Normal Cornbelters. Schweiss also has shattered personal bests since joining the pro league in innings logged (113) and strikeouts (121).
He is one game away from tying the career mark in appearances (19). If the current rotation projects to remain the same, Schweiss would next start on Thursday, August 27 against Gateway Grizzlies.
Prior to joining Cornbelters, Schweiss completed a great career with Dallas. The four-year letterwinner garnered plenty of accolades during his playing span with the Crusaders including: 2010 and 2011 Association of Division III Independents' First Team, 2011 D3Baseball.com Honorable Mention All-America, 2011 United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) All-America, 2011 Co-Team Most Valuable Player and 2012 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Honorable Mention. In addition to the previous pair of records mentioned in the program, Schweiss holds the single-season record for most games pitched in 2011 (25)
Schweiss continues to be involved with the Dallas program, serving as an assistant coach in the 2013 before signing with the Belters. He also sat in the dugout this past campaign to help guide the Crusaders as a volunteer assistant. Schweiss sports No. 11 this year with Normal just as he did with the Navy and White in his collegiate career.