Rio Grande News
Alliance High baseball standout Nate Rice poses with family and coaches after signing to continue his career at Rio Grande
Tue, May. 22, 2012 - [Baseball]
Rio Grande Sports Information
RIO GRANDE, Ohio - University of Rio Grande head baseball coach has announced the signing of Alliance High standout Nate Rice for the 2013 season.
Rice helped head coach Jeff Graffice's Aviators to a 20-9 record and a berth in the Division II district championship game.
A right-handed pitcher, Rice finished with some eye-popping numbers on the mound this season, posting a 7-2 record with one save and a microscopic 0.72 earned run average.
"Nathan has a great deal of potential," said Warnimont. "He pitched in a very competitive league in the Canton-Akron area and put up some outstanding numbers. He's a diamond in the rough for us."
In 12 appearances on the hill, Rice authored six complete games and a pair of shutouts. His final outing of the season came in a 1-0 victory over Louisville in district semifinal play. He tossed a complete game two-hitter, while allowing a pair of walks and striking out a career-high 15.
In 58 innings, Rice allowed just 39 hits and six earned runs, while walking 22 and fanning 81. Opposing hitters managed just a .181 batting average against him.
"Given his size, his velocity is going to surprise a lot of people," Warnimont said. "But he's got three other pitches to go along with his fastball. We're very happy to have him and he should have an immediate impact for us on the mound."
Rice also had a solid season with the bat, hitting .373 with five doubles and 11 runs batted in. He tallied a .418 on-base percentage, a .458 slugging percentage and finished with 10 stolen bases.
An All-Northeastern Buckeye Conference selection, Rice also has been named an Ohio All-Mizuno honoree.
Rice joins a growing recruiting class that currently includes Rock Hill High School's Johnathan Schob and Adena High's Kirk Yates.
"Nathan just adds to a good group of freshmen that we've signed in this class so far," said Warnimont.
RIO GRANDE, Ohio - University of Rio Grande head baseball coach has announced the signing of Alliance High standout Nate Rice for the 2013 season.
Rice helped head coach Jeff Graffice's Aviators to a 20-9 record and a berth in the Division II district championship game.
A right-handed pitcher, Rice finished with some eye-popping numbers on the mound this season, posting a 7-2 record with one save and a microscopic 0.72 earned run average.
"Nathan has a great deal of potential," said Warnimont. "He pitched in a very competitive league in the Canton-Akron area and put up some outstanding numbers. He's a diamond in the rough for us."
In 12 appearances on the hill, Rice authored six complete games and a pair of shutouts. His final outing of the season came in a 1-0 victory over Louisville in district semifinal play. He tossed a complete game two-hitter, while allowing a pair of walks and striking out a career-high 15.
In 58 innings, Rice allowed just 39 hits and six earned runs, while walking 22 and fanning 81. Opposing hitters managed just a .181 batting average against him.
"Given his size, his velocity is going to surprise a lot of people," Warnimont said. "But he's got three other pitches to go along with his fastball. We're very happy to have him and he should have an immediate impact for us on the mound."
Rice also had a solid season with the bat, hitting .373 with five doubles and 11 runs batted in. He tallied a .418 on-base percentage, a .458 slugging percentage and finished with 10 stolen bases.
An All-Northeastern Buckeye Conference selection, Rice also has been named an Ohio All-Mizuno honoree.
Rice joins a growing recruiting class that currently includes Rock Hill High School's Johnathan Schob and Adena High's Kirk Yates.
"Nathan just adds to a good group of freshmen that we've signed in this class so far," said Warnimont.
