OCTOBER 18, 2007 --- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Former Pioneer Gronkiewicz Selected To Play For Team USA 

SPARTANBURG – A former Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneer baseball standout was recently selected as a member of Team USA. 

Lee Gronkiewicz, a 1997 graduate of SMC, has been selected for a second time as a member of Team USA. Gronkiewicz is a right-handed closer who made his major league debut in June with the Toronto Blue Jays.  

He has since pitched four innings this season, posting a 0-0 record with a 2.25 ERA. 

Following his time at SMC, Gronkiewicz attended the University of South Carolina and signed as  free agent with the Cleveland Indians. He was picked up in the Rule 5 draft by the Blue Jays. 

He was selected to the All-SEC team in 2001, while playing at USC. That same year, he was also named a First team All-American with 16 saves and a 32-game 1.42 ERA . 

Gronkiewicz has also played on various AA and AAA teams. 

“Lee was a tremendous player at SMC and has always represented us well, no matter where he’s played. He maintains close ties with the program and the Pioneer family is thrilled that he has this opportunity to further his career as a member of Team USA” says SMC head baseball coach Tim Wallace.

Team USA will play in the Arizona Fall League and represent the United States in the 2007 World Cup in Taiwan on Nov. 6. The World Cup features teams from 16 nations. 

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On the net: 

Blue Jays Roster - http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=473137

Team USA Roster - http://mlb.mlb.com/usa_baseball/article.jsp?story=wc_release_100307