victoriagenerals.com: News

Madrid Returns, Diefenbach Gets Shot for Generals

05/24/2011 8:00 AM

Roman Madrid - Victoria Generals

The defending Texas Collegiate League Champions, the Victoria Generals, continue to reload their roster for the upcoming 2011 summer season, and this time they have added two names very familiar to baseball fans of Victoria. Roman Madrid and Denver Diefenbach, both Victoria natives, will get the chance to represent their hometown team on the mound this summer.

“It’s always great for us to add local names that many of our fans have been following since their high school days,” commented Blake Koch, Victoria’s general manager. “Roman and Denver have both had a lot of success on the field at Riverside Stadium throughout their careers and we hope that will continue for each of them in a Generals uniform this summer.”

Madrid was stellar for the Generals in 2010 as he appeared in 15 games, posting a record of 4-1. Madrid struck out 32 batters in 28.2 innings of work to go along with a 1.88 ERA. Madrid, who figures to be the closer for the Generals this summer, also notched three saves last season while being named to the TCL South All-Star Team.

The former Memorial High School star transferred to McLennan Community College after playing for the Generals and continued to put up great numbers all season in the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference. As a sophomore this season, Madrid led the Highlanders in appearances with 17 and in saves with nine. He also posted a 3-2 record to go along with a 4.55 ERA. Madrid stuck out 43 batters in 29.2 innings pitched on the season. His efforts earned him a spot on the NTJCAC All-Conference First-Team

Madrid spent his freshman year at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi after being drafted in the 44^th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft by the Cleveland Indians out of high school.

“Roman really benefited from playing in the TCL last summer and gained some valuable experience” stated Koch. “He has a quality arm and definitely projects as a future pro ball player if he continues on the path that he’s headed.”

Diefenbach, a 2009 graduate of St. Joseph High School in Victoria, will get his first shot in a Generals uniform this summer. Diefenbach is continuing to recover from an arm injury that kept him off of the field this spring at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Diefenbach suffered the injury in the fall after appearing in 13 games as a freshman.

Diefenbach compiled a career record of 27-4 at St. Joseph and was an all-state selection as a senior.

“Denver has a really good arm and we think that he will greatly benefit from working with our new head coach, Ryan Wagner,” said Koch. “We’re going to take it slow with Denver and ease him back into action as he bounces back from his arm injury.”

The Generals open the 2011 season at home on June 1 against the East Texas Pump Jacks. Game time is 7:05pm at Riverside Stadium. There will be a pregame concert by Clay Crockett and the Shotgun Riders and magnet schedules will be given away to the first 1,000 fans courtesy of PrimeVest Financial Services.

Season tickets and team merchandise can be purchased at the team store located at 3708 North Navarro Suite A in the Landmark Shopping Center, online at www.VictoriaGenerals.com, or by calling 361-485-9522.

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