POPLARVILLE — Pearl River Community College infielder Ryne Lovdahl has signed with the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers for the 2006 season, says fourth-year Wildcat head coach Jay Artigues.
Lovdahl, 5-foot-10, 170-pound two-year starter at third base, batted a third-best .371 for this year’s PRCC squad which finished first in the final NJCAA Division II baseball poll with a 45-12 overall record.
     “Ryne’s a hard worker and was one of our best guys this past season,” said Artigues. “UAB has got them a good one. Ryne takes care of business on the field, in practice, and in the classroom. Look for great things from him.”
     The son of Terry and Patrice Lovdahl of Purvis, Lovdahl also smashed six home runs and was tied for a team-high 20 doubles for PRCC this past spring. In addition, his 60 runs scored in 2005 was second on the squad, while his meager 16 strikeouts in 186 at bats was also tied for the lowest total on the squad.
     UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso’s Blazers finished their 2005 campaign at 31-27. Lovdahl, a Purvis High School graduate, is the third Pearl River player to join a Conference-USA club, as Wildcat shortstop Bailey Hartel and catcher Keith Winstead signed with Southern Mississippi in January.
     Pearl River, which finished second in the MACJC and Region 23 Tournaments this past year, set a school record with 27 straight wins during the 2005 season.