ELGIN, Ill. - After finishing a baseball tour this summer with the U.S.A. Military All-Stars, Judson University former player Zach Williams (Bloomington, IL) signed his first professional contract. Williams was picked up by the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the Northern League.

Williams is the second Judson baseball player in three years to sign a professional contract under Rich Benjamin. Kyle Kobernes signed with the Gary Railcats in 2008.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes are currently in fourth place just 4.5 games behind the leaders. Williams has played in three games and is batting .250 with one double.

Last summer, Williams received exposure to the minor league systems when he played in the New England Collegiate Baseball League for the USA Pittsfield American Defenders. In that summer league he was voted onto the NECBL All-Star team.

In two years at Judson, Williams made his mark in the lineup and in the infield. He is in four top 10 career categories and holds the record for triples at 11. He is sixth in walks (52), eighth in RBI (71), and 10^th in stolen bases (18). He had 94 career hits and a .340 batting average. He was also All-CCAC honorable mention in 2009.

The Judson University baseball team had one of the best seasons, ever, as they won a program best 39 games, broke 10 offensive team records, and played in the NCCAA World Series. Rich Benjamin is in his fourth season at Judson and has an 87-71 overall record. He has guided Judson to their first CCAC Tournament Championship in 2008 and a NCCAA Regional Championship in 2010.