Grayson Porter - Baylor University
As opening day of the 2011 Texas Collegiate League season approaches, the defending champion Victoria Generals continue to add more great players to solidify their summer roster.
The Generals have announced the signing of infielders Chad Kruse from Sam Houston State University and Freddy Villalobos from Weatherford College along with outfielder Grayson Porter from Baylor University.
“We have had a great relationship with the players and coaches from Sam Houston, Weatherford, and Baylor over the past two years and are looking forward to keeping that tradition going,” commented Blake Koch, Victoria’s general manager.
Chad Kruse, a junior infielder from San Antonio, is currently taking a medical redshirt this season at Sam Houston after suffering a back injury in the fall. Kruse transferred to Sam Houston from Richland College where he hit .385 as a sophomore with 22 doubles, two triples, three home runs, nine stolen bases, 51 runs scored, and 51 RBIs.
As a freshman at Richland in 2009, Kruse helped lead the Thunderducks to the NJCAA Division III National Championship. Kruse hit .420 as a freshman with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 29 RBIs.
“Chad is a high-energy type of player that leaves it all out on the field every night,” stated Koch. “He’s a hard worker that gets better and better with every game that he plays.”
Freddy Villalobos, a middle infielder from Houston, recently finished his sophomore season at Weatherford College. Villalobos led the Coyotes in nearly every offensive category this season while hitting in the cleanup spot in the order. Villalobos lead the team with a .413 batting and a .628 slugging percentage to go along with 26 doubles, seven home runs, 49 RBIs, and 49 runs scored.
Villalobos has signed to play at Stephen F. Austin State University next year.
“Freddy is coming off of a phenomenal sophomore season at Weatherford,” commented Koch. “We hope that he can continue to stay hot at the plate this summer and be a force in the middle of our lineup.”
Grayson Porter, a 6’4”, 200 pound freshman outfielder from Linden, TX, has seen limited action for the Bears this spring, appearing in only three games. Porter will be a big part of the Bears outfield in the future. Porter was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in the fall of 2010.
At McLeod High School, Porter was a four-year letterwinner and a two-time district MVP.
“Grayson has a bright future ahead of him at Baylor and in the Big 12,” Koch stated. “Grayson will have the opportunity to gain some valuable playing experience this summer before returning to Baylor in the fall to try to earn starting role for the Bears next year.”
The Generals open the 2011 season at home on June 1 against the East Texas Pump Jacks. Game time is 7:05pm at Riverside Stadium. There will be a pregame concert by Clay Crockett and the Shotgun Riders and magnet schedules will be given away to the first 1,000 fans courtesy of PrimeVest Financial Services.
Season tickets and team merchandise can be purchased at the team store located at 3708 North Navarro Suite A in the Landmark Shopping Center, online at
www.VictoriaGenerals.com, or by calling 361-485-9522.
