NDSU’s Luke Anderson Signs With St. Paul Saints

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Former North Dakota State pitcher Luke Anderson has signed a professional contract with the St. Paul Saints, the American Association baseball club announced Tuesday, June 26.

Anderson, a 23-year-old right-hander from Savage, Minn., went 8-3 with a 3.58 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 98 innings this year for North Dakota State. He tied a school record with 15 starts and was second in wins, innings and complete games (7).

Anderson will be in uniform tonight for the Saints, who begin a six-game road trip against the Wichita Wingnuts and have a three-game series against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks beginning Friday at NDSU's home facility, Newman Outdoor Field.

A two-time Summit League Pitcher of the Week, Anderson opened his season with an 8-2 win at No. 5-ranked Arizona, the eventual national champion. He held the Wildcats to two runs on two hits with five walks and three strikeouts.

He had a career-high 10 strikeouts in a loss at Western Illinois and pitched his first collegiate shutout at IPFW, where he allowed five hits and one walk with six strikeouts in a 6-0 victory.
Anderson was 10-6 with a 4.27 ERA in three seasons at North Dakota State after transferring from Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, Minn. He ranks ninth in NDSU history for innings (183 1/3) and strikeouts (143).

Anderson is the fourth NDSU player to sign a professional contract this summer and the third in the American Association. Third baseman Zach Wentz signed with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, shortstop Max Casper signed with the Sioux Falls Pheasants, and first baseman/outfielder Nick Colwell signed with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League.

North Dakota State set a school record for victories finishing 40-20 overall, placed third in The Summit League with a 14-10 record, and advanced to the championship game of the Summit League tournament.