Schaumburg Boomers sign first pitcher

Right-hander Matt Collins, a Division III reliever who led the NCAA in strikeouts per nine innings last season, has signed to play for the Schaumburg Boomers of the independent Frontier League, team officials announced Monday.

Collins, who pitched for Piedmont College, becomes the first pitcher signed Boomers Manager Jamie Bennett. The 23-year-old helped lead Piedmont to a 32-15 overall record in 2011 and struck out 14.4 batters per nine innings, the highest mark from any NCAA pitcher in any division.

A native of Roswell, Ga., Collins finished with a 4-1 record and 2.11 ERA in 47.0 innings for Piedmont in 2011. Collins had 75 strikeouts and just 15 walks and was second in all of Division III with 13 saves, one behind the national leader.

Collins becomes the third player signed by the Boomers for their inaugural season joining infielders Tyler Boling and Andrew Cohn.