McKenna '15 and Luebcke '16 Continue Pro Careers in Pecos League

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — After helping the Tucson Saguaros to the Pecos League Championship in 2016, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) baseball alumni Thomas McKenna '15 and Brian Luebcke '16 will open their second season of professional baseball later today.

McKenna returns to Tucson after a rookie campaign where he batted .262 with 43 RBI and five home runs, playing in all 65 games as an outfielder. He still holds the Bears program records for highest batting average (.377), runs scored (161), hits (210), triples (12), total bases (303), and stolen bases (64).

Luebcke posted a 5-3 record on the mound with 28 strikeouts in his rookie season for the Saguaros, but will join league newcomer Monterey Amberjacks (California) for his second pro season. He was named Skyline Conference Player of the Year in 2016 and holds the program record for lowest ERA (2.38) and has his name scattered across the top five in numerous hitting and pitching records in the Bears record book.

The Tucson Saguaros finished 51-14 in 2016, setting a league record for wins en route to capturing the Pecos League title in their inaugural season in the league.

The Pecos League is an independent professional baseball league based in the southwestern United States with 12 clubs spanning six states—California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas and Kansas.