Baseball | 6/15/2020 9:31:00 AM

ROCHESTER, NY -- Former RIT baseball standout Stevie Branche (New Paltz, NY/New Paltz) has been offered a free agent contract the Cincinnati Reds. The formal contract signing is expected to take place in the near future. He is the sixth Tiger to sign with a MLB organization and the second in three years. Will Gorman signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks  in 2018.

"We are so happy that Stevie has signed with the Reds," said RIT head coach Rob Grow. " In a year with only five rounds for the MLB draft and teams looking to sign the fewest number of players in the history of baseball it says a lot about how much the Reds think of Stevie."

Branche made two appearances in 2020 before COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the remainder of the season. He recorded a 1-0 record with a 1.59 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He allowed three runs and nine hits in 12.0 innings to go along with 17 strike outs.

A 2019 ABCA/Rawlings All-New York Region selection, Branche finished with a 5-2 record, a 2.03 earned run average and a 1.17 WHIP, while leading all Liberty League pitchers with 66 strikeouts in 71 innings. He held opposing batters to a league-low .198 batting average. Voted the Liberty League Pitcher of the Year and a First-Team Liberty League all-star, Branch recorded four complete games and two shutouts and struck out eight or more batters in a game four times. Branche was a two-time Liberty League Pitcher of the Week, recording a 1.64 ERA in seven Liberty League starts with 39 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched. He was also a D3baseball.com Second Team All-Region selection.

"Stevie is not only one of the most talented pitchers we have ever had, but one of the hardest workers and most importantly a tremendous person.  I also want to recognize our coaching staff, strength and conditioning coach and training staff for having a thoughtful player development plan not only for Stevie but all of our players.  We can't wait for baseball to be back and follow Stevie's professional career."

Branche finished with a 12-6 career record while his 188 strikeouts (in 170 2/3 innings pitched) are fourth all-time in program history. He also held opposing batters to a .221 batting average.