TicketsSept. 10, 2008
CINCINNATI - Former University of Cincinnati baseball players Dan Osterbrock and Josh Harrison both earned post-season accolades for their respective minor league teams after stellar rookie campaigns. Osterbrock earned Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year and postseason all-star honors this season, while Harrison also earned Northwest League postseason all-star plaudits, despite playing only 33 games before being called up to the Chicago Cubs Class-A affiliate, Peoria Chiefs.
Osterbrock pitched the Elizabethton Twins to the Appalachian League Championship after a seven -inning shutout in the series finale against the Pulaski Mariners. Osterbrock struck out 11 Mariners during the championship game as the Twins won their second consecutive Appalachian League title. On the season, Osterbrock finished with a 7-2 record, posted a 3.00 ERA, and led the Appalachian League in strikeouts with 104 punch outs. Osterbrock also led the league with 75.0 innings pitched.
In just 33 games with the Boise Hawks, Harrison posted a .351 batting average and 33 RBI before being called up to the Peoria Chiefs. Despite the short stay in Boise, Harrison's play earned him Northwest League post-season all-star honors. Following his call-up to Peoria, Harrison batted .262 in 31 games.
Harrison was a 2008 Baseball America All-America selection for the Bearcats after hitting a team-best .378 on the season, while pacing the club with 22 doubles. Harrison also tallied 54 RBI and stole 32 bases. During his junior campaign, Harrison also was the BIG EAST Co-Player of the Year and a first-team all-BIG EAST honoree and an ABCA/Rawlings All-Mideast Region selection.
Osterbrock was an ABCA/Rawlings All-Mideast Region and second-team all-BIG EAST selection for Cincinnati in 2008. Osterbrock left UC as the school's career leader in victories (21).