Wild Things Add Former Indiana Hoosiers Standout BJ Sabol, Place Mersing on DL

FLORENCE, Ky. (July 5) - The Washington Wild Things have announced the signing of former Indiana left-handed pitcher BJ Sabol. In a corresponding move, the Wild Things have placed right-handed pitcher Sam Mersing on the 7-day disabled list. Sabol will be in uniform and active for tonight's game against the Florence Freedom.

A native of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Sabol played his high school ball at Lake Country Lutheran. As a senior, Sabol posted a 13-0 record with a 0.72 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 67.2 innings of work. He was Conference and District Player of the Year that season and was honored as Second Team All-State. His team won conference titles all four years he played at Lake Country Lutheran, and won a state championship his senior year by posting a perfect 32-0 record.

He went on to pitch at San Joaquin Delta College, where he made 17 appearances as a freshman, accumulating 20.1 innings. He struck out 25 and walked just three on his way to a 2.21 earned run average. Sabol the pitched three seasons at Indiana University (In.), and was 7-3 with a 3.70 ERA in 68 career appearances out of the bullpen. He tossed 92.1 innings and allowed just 76 hits and walked 29 to go along with 99 career strikeouts.

As a senior in 2018, the southpaw fanned 29 opposing hitters in 28.1 innings, and had a career-best 2.54 ERA. He allowed just eight runs and walked only 12.

“BJ has been an effective reliever for a major program in a major conference for multiple years," said assistant general manager of team operations Tony Buccilli. "We were looking for another weapon out of the bullpen and we believe BJ has the ability to challenge hitters from both sides of the plate.”

Sabol will be active in the bullpen tonight if needed for Washington in Florence. Mersing, who is 2-0 with a 4.23 ERA in 2018, heads to the disabled list to make room for Sabol on the active roster. The Wild Things look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Freedom tonight at UC Health Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.