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For Immediate
Release: Monday, 2 December 2002 BRONCS SIGN RYAN GRIMET AND BRIAN BALLEW EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American's baseball team has signed its third and fourth recruits for the fall. Ryan Grimet, a pitcher and first baseman from Pearland, Texas and Pearland High School, and Brian Ballew, a pitcher and outfielder from Channelview, Texas and Channelview High School, will join the Broncs in the fall of 2003. Both will enter Texas-Pan American as freshmen, with four years of eligibility. Grimet earned All-District 24-5A honors as a junior, and was named honorable mention All-Area by the Houston Area Baseball Coaches Association. He batted .313 as a junior, with 30 hits, 16 runs batted in, and 13 walks, and made only four errors in 250 chances for a .984 fielding percentage. He pitched 18 innings, and had a 3-2 record and a 3.40 earned run average. Opposing hitters hit just .218 against him. A good student, Grimet has a 3.2 grade point average. "Ryan is an excellent prospect," said UTPA Head Coach Willie Gawlik. "He has good size, and we project him to get a lot stronger. We expect him to do a great job on the mound for us, and help us at first base as well. We're very excited to have Ryan on board with us." Ballew hit .425 with three home runs last year. He was named Player of the Week in his district, earned three varsity letters, and went 4-3 on the mound. Ballew runs the 60 yard dash in 6.5 seconds. "We're projecting Brian to make a contribution right away, because he has good speed and a good arm," said Gawlik. "He will have more power when he matures a little bit more. He could fit in anywhere in the outfield, as well as on the mound. We're pleased to have Brian join our team next fall." BA-07-03 120202 |