Feb. 3, 2012

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford junior pitcher Lex Rutledge was ranked 48th among Baseball America's Top 100 Draft Prospects when the list was released recently.

Rutledge, a native of Tupelo, Miss., spent his freshman season as the team's closer, posting an impressive 1.71 ERA, 11 saves and a 5-1 record.

As a sophomore in 2011, Rutledge served as one of the team's weekend starters. Rutledge had an ERA of 3.71 and a team-high 79 strikeouts last season. This season, he is expected to move back to the closer role.

Rutledge is one of just three Southern Conference players to make the list. Georgia Southern pitcher Chris Beck (7th) and outfielder Victor Roache (9th) were also on the list.

Rutledge was the only player from a college in Alabama to make the list, though there were a few high school players from the state that made the list.

This marks the second time in the last two months Rutledge has been recognized by Baseball America, as he was ranked 19th on the publication's Early 2012 College Top 100 list in December,

Rutledge and the Bulldogs will open the 2012 season with a three-game home series against Radford, Feb. 17-19. The first pitch for the season-opener on Feb. 17 is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field.