Dean Kiekhefer

Height:
6-0
Weight:
172
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Louisville, Ky.
High School:
Oldham County

2009: Earned the Francis Tripp Award while playing summer ball for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League. The award is given annually to the player who makes the most positive impact to the organization and the community on and off the field. Was 6-5 overall with a 5.00 ERA while spending much of the season as a weekend starter for the Cardinals. Made 13 starts and 18 total appearances with 63 strikeouts in 77.1 innings. Took the loss in game one of the Cards' NCAA Super Regional series at Cal State Fullerton. Pitched 6.0 innings allowing two runs on seven hits with career-high eight strikeouts against Middle Tennessee in the NCAA Regional. Allowed three runs on eight hits with four strikeouts in 6.2 innings in Cards' loss to No tre Dame at BIG EAST Tournament. Had one of the best starts of his career pitching into the ninth inning for the first time and allowing only two runs on six hits on May 15 against USF to win his third straight overall. Picked up a perfect inning of work in relief at WKU on May 12. Earned his second straight win in his second consecutive start after allowing four runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings at St. John's on May 9. Returned to the Cards' starting rotation on May 1 at Villanova and allowed only one earned run on six hits in 6.0 innings for his fourth win of the season. Was the tough-luck losing pitcher on April 25 after allowing only one earned run on four hits in 4.0 innings of emergency relief against Notre Dame. Took his third loss of the season after allowing one run on three hits in the 10th inning of the Cards' 4-3 loss to Vanderbilt. Came out of the bullpen for 2.0 scoreless innings of relief to get his third win of the season on April 19 at Rutgers. Made his first appearance out of the bullpen this season on April 14 allowing two walks in less than an inning against Kentucky. Suffered tough outing on April 5 at Cincinnati allowing five runs on five hits in only 2.1 innings. Gave up three earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings at Seton Hall on March 28. Allowed three runs on six hits with four strikeouts in 3.0 innings against Georgetown on March 22. Improved to 2-1 on the season with a career-high seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings against Iowa on March 16. Gave up three runs on five hits in the 6.2 innings of work, which matched a career-high for the Louisville native. Allowed five runs on nine hits, struck out five and walked two in third start of the season on March 7 against Eastern Illinois. Had one of the best outings of his career on March 1 as he earned the win against Bowling Green with six scoreless innings and five strikeouts while scattering seven hits. Took the loss at Florida on Feb. 21 after giving up seven runs, including five earned, on only two hits in 3.0 innings. Named to AD Honor Roll and a BIG EAST Academic All-Star.

2008: Missed the majority of the season with a back injury. Took the hill 10 times, starting five games. Was 1-1 wth a 4.88 ERA, limiting opponents to a .267 average in 27.2 innings. Entered the weekend rotation at Pitt on March 30 and tossed 6.2 solid innings, giving up just two runs to help the Cards to a 6-4 win. Struck out three in an inning and two-thirds against WSU on March 12. Earned a win in his first career start, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk in six strong innings against EKU on March 5, striking out a career-best five. Logged an impressive collegiate debut, striking out two and allowing three hits in three shutout innings against CSU on Feb. 24.

High School: Drafted in the 37th round by the Indians after an All-State campaign, posting a 7-0 record with 99 strikeouts and a state-best 0.28 ERA. Also batted .500 with 24 steals, 37 runs and 33 RBI while playing the outfield. A two-time All-Region and All-District selection, he twice played for the East vs. West All-Star team. Coached by former Cardinal Scott Gerlach at Oldham County HS, Kiekhefer compiled a 15-6 record with two saves and 231 strikeouts in his first three seasons of prep baseball. He was 9-0 with a 0.24 ERA and a staggering 119 K's in just 58 innings as a junior. Helped the Colonels to semi-state in `05 - the highest finish in school history. Threw a perfect game, striking out 19 of 21 batters, in a 3-0 district tournament win over North Oldham. It was his third no-hitter and second perfect game of the season. Has also earned two letters in golf.

Personal: Born in The Ville to Allen and Linda Kiekhefer on 6/7/89. Is majoring in sport administration and would like to work for a pro baseball team in that field someday. Engaged to Jacquelyn Finch. His dad is his greatest influence on him athletically. Likes to golf and bowl in his spare time. Dumb and Dumber is his favorite movie and he likes to watch Prison Break on TV. His favorite food is mashed potatoes and he likes to go out to White Castle and Olive Garden. Coco Puffs is his top cereal and Reese's his favorite candy bar. His dream dinner guests would be Johan Santana, Roberto Clemente and Tiger Woods.