Cameron Amsrud, Milwaukee Panther righty and DC Everest alumnus, has signed with his hometown Wisconsin Woodchucks for the 2011 season.
Amsrud, the 6-foot-3-inch 190 pound junior, has enjoyed very high levels of success as a late-inning reliever for the state’s only NCAA Division I baseball program. Considered the top returning pitcher on the University of Milwaukee staff, Amsrud captured the Panthers’ closing role midway through the 2010 season, and went on to end his sophomore campaign on a 19.1 scoreless innings pitched binge.
“I’ve had great teammates and great coaches that have given me opportunities to make our team successful,” said Amsrud, whose sterling spring season was distinguished with the Horizon League Relief Pitcher of the Year award. “It’s definitely an honor [receiving the award]. I had a great season last year, but now I’m just looking forward to this spring and just helping our team get to where we need to be.”
While Amsrud’s 3.00 ERA for the 2010 season is an impressive feat in itself, when removing .1 innings from his 2010 body of work, the junior’s ERA drops to an astounding 1.32 in 35.2 innings pitched.
“Yeah- that was a pretty rough game,” said a laughing Amsrud. “I had two outs in an inning, and they ended up getting a few infield hits. Then before I knew it, I had given up seven runs- over half the runs I’d given up the entire year.”
Possessing ample physical tools, remarkable control, and perplexing ball movement brought on by his side-armed delivery, Amsrud is most widely known for his stoic poise and unshakable demeanor on the mound.
“Right now, I just plan on getting as many innings as possible, and I’m expecting them to be in pressure situations- that’s exactly what I like. I’m here to help our team win a championship.”
With plenty of work still to be done in Milwaukee, Amsrud isn’t looking past his spring season, but expressed his excitement and readiness to take on the big stage in his hometown.
“Especially after growing up in the area and going to Woodchucks games when I was younger, it’s definitely going to be a pretty cool experience. I’m really looking forward to playing in front of a lot of friends and family who haven’t been able to see me play yet, that’ll be really cool.
“I’m gonna come back [to Wausau], throw in whatever role is asked of me. Every time I get called upon, I’ve just got to go in there and pitch the way I know how to pitch. It’s a bigger stage but I’ve thrown in it before, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
