Valparaiso pitcher Dallas Cawiezell (Long Grove, Iowa/North Scott) has opted to forgo his final year of eligibility and has signed with the Cleveland Indians organization, which drafted him in the 40^th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball amateur draft.  The Indians have assigned Cawiezell to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the New York-Penn League, their short-season Class A affiliate.

“We are excited that Dallas has been given this opportunity to play professional baseball,” said Crusader head coach Tracy Woodson.  “While it is a big loss for our team next season, this is a chance that Dallas could not pass up, and we wish him nothing but the best.”

Cawiezell, a second team All Mid-Continent Conference honoree and All-Tournament Team member, led the Crusaders at the plate during the 2007 season with five home runs and finished second on the team with 28 RBI in just 119 at-bats.  On the mound in 2007, Cawiezell appeared in 19 contests, throwing 38 innings with a 3.55 ERA while striking out 33 batters and registering seven saves.  His 10 career saves rank third in Crusader history.

Prior to signing with the Indians, Cawiezell was tearing up the Northwoods League for the Alexandria Beetles.  In 19 games out of the bullpen, he had registered 10 saves and boasted a miniscule 0.41 ERA, striking out 40 batters while walking just six.  At the plate, Cawiezell was hitting .360 in 50 at-bats, including six extra-base hits.  He was named to the Northwoods League North Division All-Star team as a pitcher and also participated in the league’s Home Run Derby.