July 2, 2004

ARLINGTON, Texas - After appearing on the mound more than only four other pitchers in NCAA history, former Texas-Arlington closer Mike Snapp was signed as a free agent by the Boston Red Sox earlier this week. Snapp reported to the Gulf Coast Rookie League in Fort Myers, Fla.

Snapp (Joshua, Texas) will begin his professional playing career after being named a third team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, honorable mention All-American honors from CollegeBaseballInsider.com and first team all-South Central Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association. The tall right hander closed out his senior campaign with a 5-4 record with a 1.42 ERA and 12 saves. He tossed 50.2 innings in 36 appearances, allowing only eight earned runs and striking out 40, and allowed opponents to hit just .204 in being named to the second team all-Southland Conference. His 36 appearances were just one appearance shy of tying David Sobczak (1999) for the school and conference record for single-season appearances.

Snapp closed out his four-year career as the UTA and SLC leader in appearances and saves. In his career, Snapp appeared in 131 contests and compiled a record of 23-20 with a 3.36 ERA and 23 saves. He tossed 248 innings, allowing only 231 hits and 90 earned runs, and struck out 156 batters. His 131 appearances tie him with Darryl Scott (Loyola Marymount, 1987-90) for fourth place on the NCAA list for career appearances. His 126 career relief appearances put him in sole possession of fourth place on the all-time relief appearance list.

Snapp became the UTA all-time leader in career saves on April 16 when he pitched a perfect ninth inning to complete a one-hitter against SLC regular season and postseason champion Lamar at Clay Gould Ballpark. Snapp also combined with Gardner on a shutout of TCU in the home opener and teamed with Grant Varnell on a shutout of Oklahoma State.

The SLC record for career saves was established by Snapp in the first round of the SLC Tournament. With a two run lead, Snapp entered the contest in the eighth inning with Texas State runners on first and second and nobody out. The tall right-hander did his customary sprint from the bullpen and then calmly struck out the side on 11 pitches to get out of the jam before retiring the side on seven pitches in the ninth inning.

Snapp has not yet appeared on the mound due to not throwing in a game in over a month, but is scheduled to make his debut in the next couple of days.