As the 2012 Texas Collegiate League season draws closer every day, the Victoria Generals continue to add players that will help them on their quest for another league championship. This week, the Generals have announced the addition of utility player Alex Klonowski from Northern Illinois University and right-handed pitcher Austin Pfeiffer from the University of Arkansas – Little Rock.
“Alex and Austin come highly recommended to us by their respective programs,” commented Blake Koch, the GM for the Victoria Generals. “We really like their makeup and believe that they can be big contributors for us this summer.”
Alex Klonowski, a 6’4”, 185 pound sophomore, has played all over the diamond for NIU so far this season. Through 27 games, Klonowski has made starts at second base, short stop, third base, left field, and right field for the Huskies as well as 10 relief appearances on the mound. Rotating positions has not slowed down Klonowski at the plate as he has been the one of the team’s best offensive players to date. He is currently hitting .275 with five doubles, one triple, one home run, 15 RBIs, and 13 runs scored. Despite playing multiple positions, Klonowski has only made two errors in the field. He has also struck out 15 batters in only nine innings of work.
As a freshman, Klonowski hit .292 with two doubles, one home run, 11 RBIs, and eight runs scored in 18 games. A Kearney, Missouri native, Klonowski also made 23 appearances on the mound with one start. He posted a 6.28 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 38.2 innings.
“Alex is a do-it-all kind of guy,” commented Koch. “He’s obviously a very skilled athlete who you can slide anywhere you need him in the lineup and on the field.”
Austin Pfeiffer, a redshirt sophomore at UALR, will give the Generals depth on the pitching staff. Pfeiffer, a native of Benton, Arkansas, transferred to UALR after spending one season at Northern Oklahoma College – Enid where he posted a 4-1 record with a 1.96 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 32 innings.
Pfeiffer, a 6’4”, 230 pound right-hander, is currently 1-2 on the season at UALR and has 16 strikeouts in 22.2 innings pitched.
“Austin has pitched out of the bullpen for most of his career but is also capable of making our starting rotation,” said Koch. “It will really depend on his work load this spring in Little Rock.”
The Generals home opener is only two months away as the Generals will take on the Acadiana Cane Cutters on Sunday, June 3 at 7:05pm at Riverside Stadium. Season tickets for all 30 of the Generals home games this season are on sale now. Fans can buy season tickets and team merchandise at the Generals 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.
