Bengochea, Rangers Agree To Terms

June 26, 2002

Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – Right-hander Kiki Bengochea and the Texas Rangers agreed to terms this past Wednesday on a professional contract nullifying the final year of collegiate eligibility for the junior.

Bengochea will start his professional career with the Rangers’ rookie Class A team, the Savannah (GA) Sand Gnats. He was recently drafted in the 11th round by the Rangers.

Bengochea finished his three-year career at Miami earning a no-decision in his start against South Carolina in the Columbia Super Regional on June 7. Prior to his outing against the Gamecocks, Bengochea was stellar throwing 8.0 innings in a victory over Florida in the Gainesville Regional on June 1. The win over the Gators earned him a spot on the All-Regional Tournament Team.

For his career, he went 20-16 with a 4.53 ERA in 51 starts. In his 292 career innings pitched, Bengochea gave up 308 hits, 199 runs (147 earned), 119 walks and 230 strikeouts.

His start in the Super Regional was the 51st of his career, tying him for eighth all-time at Miami. He is also listed in the top ten for hits allowed (308, #9), runs (199, #4), earned runs (147, #4) and losses (16, #2.

Bengochea started the 2002 campaign as a preseason first-team All-American selection by Baseball America and Louisville Slugger. He also played two summers with the USA National Team compiling a career record of 6-1 with a 0.61 ERA. Out of Columbus High School, the Kansas City Royals drafter Bengogchea in the third round of the 1999 draft.

Bengochea joins Javy Rodriguez (Angels), Danny Matienzo (Twins) and T.J. Prunty (Twins) as Hurricanes who have signed pro contracts this summer.