July 9, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Former University of Maryland baseball standout Brett Cecil is scheduled to make his first start in Maryland as a big-leaguer Friday evening when his Toronto Blue Jays visit Oriole Park at Camden Yards at 7:05 p.m. Friday evening to take on the Orioles.

Cecil was a star left-handed pitcher for the Terps from 2005-2007 and was drafted by the Blue Jays with the 38th overall pick of the 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

In three seasons in College Park, Cecil made 74 appearances, the fourth-highest total in program history. Cecil owns the school record for career saves and owns the top two single-season marks for saves, including 13 in 2006. Cecil's 30 appearances in 2007 is a school record, as well.

Cecil made his Major League debut May 5 against the Cleveland Indians, allowing one earned run in six innings with six strikeouts, tying the franchise record for strikeouts in a debut. Cecil won his next two starts against the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox, respectively, but was sent back down to the minors after four starts at the big-league level.

A month later, Cecil was recalled and tossed a seven-inning no-decision June 20 at Washington against the Nationals. Friday's game at Baltimore will mark Cecil's eighth start in the big leagues. Cecil has thrown four no-decisions since being recalled.

-TERPS-