SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Former University of Sioux Falls baseball standout Ed Reichenbach has had some big "baseball" moments in his career. And, after signing with the Sioux Falls Canaries earlier this spring, he homered (3-run home run) in his first at bat against Winnipeg in an 8-1 win on Wednesday (May 20) at Sioux Falls Stadium.
"That was nice," said Reichenbach of the home run. "It was an awesome feeling."
Baseball certainly is a passion for the 26-year old, who missed a year due to the CoVID-19 pandemic. But is back in Sioux Falls, where he has signed with the Canaries as he looks to revitalize his baseball career.
"After having the year off due to the CoVID pandemic, it was kind of tough but I stayed in shape helping on the farm in Arlington (Minn.) with my dad, uncle and brother and coaching kids around the Sioux Falls area which is fun seeing kids grow as athletes," he said. "I am very fortunate that I landed back here and am able to suit up with the (Sioux Falls) Canaries and be around this town that I know very well. It is awesome experience," he said.
Ed Reichenbach at USF
An infielder from Arlington, Minn., the 6-3 right handed hitter started his career as a junior college in St. Cloud, Minn. After earning an associate of arts degree, he came to USF where he helped lead the Cougars to the NSIC Postseason Tournament in 2016 for the first time in school history. "That was a great experience for me," recalled Reichenbach. "We had a fun year and did some nice things," he said.
In 75 games with the Cougars, he hit .265 with 12 home runs and 57 runs batted in with eight doubles, 44 runs and 64 hits in 241 at bats. In his final year with USF, Reichenbach hit .311 and helped USF to a 21-30-1 record and an appearance in the NSIC Tournament. In that final year with USF he played a key role with seven home runs, 42 RBI and a .435 OBP, .486 slugging parking and .921 OPS. He ranks sixth all-time at USF with his seven home runs in a season and his 12 across two seasons is fifth all-time. With 42 RBI as a senior, he had the second best total in USF's DII era and ranked 11th for his career with 57. He also ended his career with a 37-game on base streak.
Reichenbach, who finished a double major in business administration and sports management at USF in 2017, joined the Roswell (New Mexico) team in the Pecos League after graduation. In 2017 and 2018, he played in 84 games, scored 84 runs with 97 hits, 19 home runs, 74 RBI and averaged .334. In 2017 at Roswell, he hit .309 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI with a .436 OBP and .962 OPS. In 2018, he hit .362 with 41 runs, 50 hits, 11 doubles, nine home runs, 38 RBI and had a .439 OBP with a .638 slugging mark and 1.088 OPS, also while starring with the Roswell team.
Among his memories there was playing in the All-Star game. "It was a lot of fun and an experience that I will always remember," he said.
Now Reichenbach wants to help the Canaries as much as he can. And, with a home run in his first game, he is off to a good start. "We have to try to keep winning series and working hard. Everything seems to work out when you give everything you got," he said.
