Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

2010 (Junior): Locked down the closer role in the fall and never relinquished the job … led the OVC and was 12th in the country with 12 saves on the season … second in the OVC with 30 appearances, all of which came in relief …finished the season with a 2-1 record and 34 strikeouts in only 31.1 innings of work … one of 45 players named to the NCBWA’s Stopper of the Year Award Watch List, given annually to the top relief pitcher in college baseball … picked up his first save of the season at Western Carolina (Feb. 27) … pitched three innings of relief and earned his first win of the season against SEC foe Tennessee (March 3) … notched his first conference save and co-shutout in a 12-inning, 1-0 win over Eastern Illinois (March 28) … also picked up an OVC save against Austin Peay, retiring the Governors in order in the ninth (April 11) … sealed the Colonels’ first postseason victory since 2007 when he saved a 4-3 win over Murray State in the OVC Tournament (May 26).

2009 (Sophomore): Went a perfect 4-0 on the mound as a sophomore ... Recorded a 4.48 ERA ... Made 12 appearances and two starts ... struck out 28 batters in 25 innings of work.

2008 (Freshman): Played at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Ill. where he was a teammate of current Colonel Stephen Hefler ... was a position player his freshman season.

High School Accomplishments: A three-year varsity starter at Vincent Lincoln High School ... Went 6-1 his senior year and tossed a no-hitter in a sectional game ... Was named all-area and all conference his junior and senior seasons.

Personal: Born March 12, 1989 ... son of Doug and Sheila Purcell ...majoring in computer sciences.


Get to Know Ryne Purcell ...

One interesting fact about yourself: I played in the 2001 Cal Ripken 12 year old World Series

What is currently playing on your iPod: “Feel Good Drag” by Anberlin

What is your favorite inspirational quote: “Luck is where preparation meets opportunity”

Favorite movie: The Hangover

If you could have dinner with three people, they would be: Ryne Sandberg, Garth Brooks, and Dan Marino

Pick an actor to play you in the upcoming movie about you: Ryan Reynolds

Give the title of that movie: The Journey

Favorite food: Mexican food

Three things on your “bucket list” are: Skydive, travel to Europe, and go through every state in the United States

What song gets you pumped before games: “Whispers in the Dark” by Skillet

Plans after baseball: Play as long as I can, and when I can’t anymore, settle down and enjoy life