FL Southern Illinois Miners

Miners Trade Sandford and Collazo to Washington

August 1, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release


Marion, IL - The Southern Illinois Miners have announced today the trade of outfielder Darian Sandford and reliever Anthony Collazo to the Washington Wild Things for relievers Nick Cicio and Steven Grife.

"We felt there was a strong need to improve our bullpen and sometimes in baseball you have to give up good players to get good players," Miners manager Mike Pinto said. "Darian did a great job for us and we wish him the best of success in going for the league's stolen base record (65). Anthony did a great for us and I'm sure he'll continue to have success in Washington."

"In acquiring Steve and Nick, we believe we have improved the back end of our bullpen," Pinto added. "Baseball games many times have come down to pitching late in the game. We believe these two players will help us close games out."

Cicio is a left handed reliever who is in his first season in the Frontier League. This season, Cicio is 0-4 with a 4.25 ERA and one save in 22 games. In 29.2 innings, Cicio has given up 25 hits and 15 runs (14 earned). He walked 11 batters and struck out 30 for the Wild Things. Last season, Cicio played for the Gulf Coast League Twins of the Minnesota Twins organization. He was 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA and two saves. He pitched 20.2 innings and gave up 16 hits, five runs (four earned) and struck out 20 batters.

Grife is a right handed reliever who was in his second season with the Wild Things. This season, Grife is 0-2 with a 4.79 ERA and six saves in 19 games. In 20.2 innings, Grife gave up 19 hits, 14 runs (11 earned) and recorded 20 strikeouts. Last season for the Wild Things, Grife went 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA in 21 games. He pitched 26.2 innings and gave up 16 hits. He allowed 9 runs (7 earned) and recorded 38 strikeouts. Grife also pitched with Lake County of the North American League last season and is a product of the Chicago Cubs organization, drafted in the 26th round of the 2009 MLB draft. In 2009, Grife pitched for the Arizona League Cubs, a rookie affiliate and Boise (A-) of the Northwest League. In 2010, Grife pitched with Boise and Peoria (A) of the Midwest League.

Darian Sandford played in 64 games this season for the Miners and was one of six Miners to be selected to the 2012 All-Star game in Normal, Illinois. He batted .256 with one home run and 14 RBI's. Sandford is most notably known for his base stealing abilities as he stole a league high 45 bases and was caught stealing nine times. Sandford scored 57 runs and hit four doubles and five triples, also a team high. Sandford had spent two seasons in the Kansas City Royals organization prior to his arrival here in Southern Illinois.

Anthony Collazo pitched in 17 games this season with the Miners. In 23.2 innings pitched, Collazo went 3-0 with a 2.28 ERA. He gave up 21 hits and seven runs (six earned). He walked 13 batters and recorded 27 strike outs. Opponents batted .241 against him this season. Prior to the Miners, Collazo pitched for the Sooners of Oklahoma University.

In addition, the Miners have also released RHP David Whigham.

Check out the Southern Illinois Miners Statistics



Frontier League Stories from August 1, 2012


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