Elliott, Santa Cruz Sign Pro Ball Contracts
Glendale, Ariz. – Eli Elliott and Adrian Santa Cruz each signed professional contracts with the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer Baseball League less than two weeks after Arizona Christian’s historic run in the 2024 Avista NAIA World Series. The two right-handed pitchers recently became ACU graduates and are joining an independent MLB Partner League.
According to Firestorm head coach Joe McDonald, Santa Cruz will make his first start with the team tonight against the Billings Mustangs. His first pitch is slated for 6:30 PM MST from Lindquist Field in Ogden. Fans can follow with live stats and watch the action via FloBaseball.
The Raptors of Ogden, Utah are one of 12 teams in the PBL, which began in 1939 and currently features ball clubs from Colorado, California, Idaho, Montana and Utah. Before declaring independence in 2021, Ogden was affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers (1996-2002) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2003-2020).
Thoughts From Coach Joe McDonald
“Words cannot describe how proud I am of both Eli and Adrian and this amazing accomplishment,” Coach McDonald said. “They are going to do great and shine God’s light in pro baseball.”
Eli Elliott (RHP, 6-2, 200 LBS)
The Glendale, Arizona product closed out his four-year career with four program records. These marks entail most career strikeouts (299), most strikeouts in a single season (112), most starts in a single season (17) and most career appearances (72). Elliott, a two-time All-GSAC selection, was named the 2024 GSAC Pitcher of the Year and a 2024 GSAC Gold Glover.
Elliott’s 19 career wins on the mound is third in ACU Baseball history, eight of those coming in his senior season. He memorably struck out 10 Menlo batters on March 23, 2024 to stake claim to the career strikeouts record and secured the single-season record with eight against Kansas Wesleyan in the Firestorm’s World Series opener.
Elliott’s career numbers – 4.62 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 270.1 IP, 19-15 record, .256 opponent BA, 42 starts
Adrian Santa Cruz (RHP, 6-4, 225 LBS)
The Phoenix, Arizona native put a wrap on his two-year Firestorm career with three stellar postseason performances, headlined by a 12-strikeout complete game shutout against #5 Lewis-Clark State in the 2024 NAIA Baseball Opening Round. His nine-inning masterpiece was the lone complete game thrown by an ACU pitcher during the 2024 season.
Santa Cruz’s 13 career wins ranks fourth in ACU Baseball history despite only being a member of the program for two years. His nine mound victories in 2024 is third all-time for most wins in a single season in program history. It was behind Santa Cruz’s final start of the season (6.1 IP, 2 RA, 4 K) that ACU pulled off the biggest upset in the 2024 Avista NAIA World Series, a 5-3 extra-inning triumph over #1 Southeastern.
Santa Cruz’s career numbers – 4.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 151.0 IP, 13-8 record, .247 opponent BA, 28 starts
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Congratulations gentlemen! Best of luck this season and in your future professional endeavors!
Roll Storm.
