June 30, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio -

Nearing the end of his second month with the Chicago White Sox, former Ohio University right-hander Adam Russell has been solid in three Major League appearances, posting a 2.25 earned-run average and striking out three batters in four innings pitched.

Russell, who is the 19th Bobcat to suit up for a big-league team, made his Major League debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 17, ringing up one batter in a perfect inning. His most recent appearance came at Wrigley Field on June 21, where he threw two scoreless innings and picked up a strikeout against the cross-town rival Cubs.

As reliever for Class AAA Charlotte this season, the 6-8 Russell struck out 11 batters and chalked up a 2.37 ERA, while limiting opposing hitters to a .23 average. He has been tough on righties with Chicago, as the batters only sport a .125 average against him from that side of the plate.

A 26th-round draft pick of the Florida Marlins out of high school, Russell chose to attend Ohio and spent three years in green and white under head coach Joe Carbone. After his time in Athens, Russell was selected in the sixth round, 179th overall, by the Chicago White Sox in the 2004 Major League Draft.

The North Olmsted, Ohio, native is the second Ohio player in the last two years to be called up to an active Major League roster. Former Bobcat standout Adam Fox was called up by the Texas Rangers during the 2007 campaign.