May 9, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Former Arizona State baseball player Jonah Martin (2000-2001) has signed a free agent contract with the Sioux City (Iowa) Explorers in the independent Northern League.
Martin joins the Explorers after a good two-year career in the Sun Devil baseball program. Helping ASU to consistent national rankings in each of his two years as a Devil, Martin was a .327 (98x300) hitter in his career with eight triples and two home runs. He hit .325 with a school record 29 hit-by-pitches in 2000 and had a strong finish to the 2001 season by hitting .330.
The native of Waianae, Hawai'i and transfer from Los Angeles City Junior College notched 24 career multi-hit games, including nine in 2001. Martin played especially well in the 2001 NCAA Regional in Fullerton, Calif., combining to go 3-for-8 (.375) with three RBI in ASU's three games.
The Explorers open their spring training Saturday (May 10) and will play their first exhibition game May 11 in Crofton, Neb., against Northern League rival Sioux Falls Canaries. Martin will make his professional debut against the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks on May 24.
Fans can follow Martin's season at the offical site of the Sioux City Explorers at www.xsbaseball.com.