Independant Pros Update: Trio of former Crusaders keep Busy
IRVING, Texas – A trio of former University of Dallas baseball players continued their playing careers with spots in various Independent Ball Leagues. This end of summer update includes two pitchers: Michael Schweiss ('12), Martin Cronin ('15) and infielder Luciano Villanueva ('16).
Schweiss is in his fourth season with the Normal Cornbelters since graduating from UD. The Crusaders' four-year letterwinner is boasting career numbers so far in the Frontier League, and earned his first nod with the West Division in the All-Star Game on July 13. In that contest, the righty tossed a scoreless inning with a two hits, a walk, and strikeout recorded. Overall this summer, Schweiss has been on a tear winning five straight outings (excluding all-star game outing) with the Cornbelters and producing six quality starts. Overall, Schweiss is 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA and has logged 84.2 innings. He has made 14 appearances, all starts, and recorded 78 strikeouts. In Schweiss's July 29th outing versus Lake Erie, the first punch out of the game counted for his 300th career in the Frontier League.
A native of Parker, Colorado, Schweiss enjoyed individual success 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) and career record for saves (9).
Cronin, a graduate from Dallas two springs ago, has been pitching for the Sonoma Stompers as part of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball. Cronin has appeared in 12 contests this summer. Through 19.2 innings, Cronin has walked 13 and struck out 12. In addition, the 6-5 right hander has posted a 2.74 ERA and picked up a save with the Stompers.
A native of The Woodlands, Texas, Cronin was a four-year letterwinner with the Crusaders. He was awarded spots on two SCAC All-Conference Teams (2013, '14) and one USCAA All-American Team ('14). His best spring occurred his junior season ('14) where he led the team in wins (six), ERA (3.16), innings pitched (77.0), appearances/starts (12/12), and strikeouts (39). His final campaign with the Navy and White, Cronin tied 15th in NCAA DIII for starts with 13 total turns on the hill.
Villanueva, the most recent Crusader to graduate and sign with an Independent Team, suited up with the Utica Unicorns out of the United Shore Professional Baseball League (USPBL). In 22 games, Villanueva has notched 13 hits, two doubles, seven RBIs, and six runs scored. In addition to playing mostly second base for the Unicorns, Villanueva has pitched twice on the mound. His last outing on July 24 was a one-hit, scoreless frame with a strikeout.
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Villanueva was a four-year letterwinner with the Crusaders. He earned All-SCAC Team awards and voted the team MVP in the last two seasons. Villanueva led most offensive categories in 2015 where he batted .322, three home runs, 19 RBI, and 21 runs scored. In 2016, Villanueva's presence was felt more on the hill where he posted a team-low 2.95 ERA in nine appearances (seven starts). Villanueva earned a pair of SCAC Pitcher of the Week accolades, which included a career most nine strikeouts in a complete game, shutout victory at Southwestern University on April 15.