July 5, 2004

Surprise, Ariz. - After a brilliant four-year career with the Lions, Loyola Marymount's Jonathan Higashi has signed with the Texas Rangers organization. Higashi, the 2004 Male Athlete of the Year, will spend his first year of professional baseball with the AZL Rangers, the organization's rookie league team in Surprise, Arizona.

After earning an invitation to the 2004 USA Baseball National Team Trials in Durham, North Carolina, in late June, Higashi left the trials early to report to the Rangers' mini-camp at the Surprise Sports Campus. There, the catcher signed with the organization and was assigned to spend his first season with the AZL Rangers.

Higashi completed his four-year career with the Lions this season, becoming the first in LMU history to be named both the Male Athlete of the Year and Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Receiving 2004 All-West Coast Conference honorable mention recognition, his .371 season batting average placed him among the top five of all position players who participated in the national team trials.

Prior to the start of the 2004 season, Baseball America selected Higashi as the conference's best overall, best defensive, and best arm among all WCC catchers. The Canoga Park, Calif., native graduated from LMU in May with a degree in Business Administration.

"We're excited that Jon has been given the opportunity with the Rangers," LMU Assistant Coach Jon Strauss said. "Jon has meant a lot to LMU baseball during his four-year career, and it's great to see him get the chance to play professionally."

Higashi becomes the fourth Lion to sign following the 2004 season. Will Quaglieri (New York Mets), Billy Lockin (Arizona Diamondbacks), and Kevin Jenson (San Francisco Giants) also began their professional careers this summer.

-GO LIONS-