Miners reliever, Benjamin Dum, signs with Twins

MARION - The Southern Illinois Miners announced last week that relief pitcher Benjamin Dum has been signed by the Minnesota Twins, making him the third MLB signing of the season after Nick Duron and Bryant Flete and 58th former Miner to join a major league organization.

With Southern Illinois, the right-hander appeared in 19 games, with a 1-0 record, two saves and a 2.75 ERA, allowing just 13 hits and two walks in 19 2/3 innings while striking out 24.

Opponents batted just .183 off the Elliottsburg, Pennsylvania native, who did not allow a single run in his last ten appearances.

Those included a scoreless inning last night against Joliet in which he struck out the side in order.

Dum joined the Miners after a standout, four-year career at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he posted a 5-7 record and a 2.18 ERA in 21 games along with 63 strikeouts and 15 walks in 70 1/3 innings as a senior to take home Second Team All-Conference honors in the A-10.