Bucknell University Athletics
Former Bison Complete Professional Baseball Seasons
10/30/2001 7:00:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 30, 2001
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Former Bucknell University baseball players Eric Junge, Kevin McDowell and Russ Lindberg recently completed the 2001 season in the minor leagues of three different Major League Baseball clubs.
Junge, a 1999 Bucknell graduate, enjoyed an outstanding season as a starting pitcher for the Jacksonville Suns, a AA affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Junge started 27 games on the mound and finished the year 10-11 with a 3.46 ERA to go with116 strikeouts in 164.0 innings pitched. He led Jacksonville in wins, games started, complete games (one), shutouts (one) and innings pitched while helping the Suns win the Southern Division co-championship.
A 6-5, 215-pound right-hander, Junge was the Dodgers' 11th pick in the 1999 free agent draft. As a senior at Bucknell he went 4-8 with a 5.62 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 81.2 innings pitched. He split his collegiate career as a starter and a reliever.
McDowell was impressive in his first season as a professional baseball player with the Oneonta Tigers, an A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. He compiled a 2-4 record with a 2.74 ERA. The hard-throwing left-hander also recorded 35 strikeouts over 46.0 innings pitched.
The Tigers' 15th-round selection, McDowell went 2-5 with a 6.44 ERA as the Bison's No. 1 weekend starter in his junior season at Bucknell last year. He returned to help lead Bucknell to the Patriot League Championship in 2001 after missing nearly the entire 2000 season when he underwent "Tommy John" surgery on his throwing arm. He posted a career record of 14-11 at Bucknell, and struck out 145 batters. McDowell earned All-Patriot League First Team honors in 1999.
Lindberg wrapped up his first professional season with the Florida Marlins affiliate in the Gulf Coast Rookie League. He played 20 games for the season and hit .127 with five RBI and two runs scored.
In his senior season last spring, Lindberg led Bucknell and the Patriot League in hits (61), home runs (nine), RBI (59), total bases (100) and sacrifice flies (six). He was an All-Patriot League First-Team selection. Academically, Lindberg won the Patriot League Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and earned Academic All-America recognition.
The 2002 Bucknell University baseball team gets its season underway on Feb. 16 with a doubleheader at Virginia.
