LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama baseball team has announced the hiring of former Baltimore Oriole and Mississippi State standout Eric DuBose as the squad's new pitching coach.

DuBose, 35, played professionally for 11 years including parts of five seasons with the Orioles after an illustrious career in Starkville, Miss.

“I am very excited to have Eric DuBose joining our staff,” UWA Head Coach Gary Rundles said. “He has devoted his entire life to being the best pitcher he could be, and now he will direct that devotion to helping our young men obtain their goals.”

Setting the school's career record with 428, DuBose racked up strikeouts while a Bulldog as he also owns the single season mark, striking out 174 during the 1996 season. His other two seasons are also in the record books with his 1997 total of 145 ranking second and his 109 strikeout performance from his freshman season in 1995 ranking eighth.

“I'm very excited to work with Coach Rundles, and I'm excited to work with the West Alabama family and program,” DuBose said. “It's been a while since I've been involved in college baseball, and I'm looking forward to the life and energy that comes with the college game.”

He sits fifth all-time in Mississippi State history with 27 career wins, assisting in guiding his team to two regionals and a College World Series appearance in 1997.

The three-time All-American was drafted in the first round by the Oakland Athletics in the 1997 draft, and he spent four seasons moving up the minor league ranks before making his major league debut with Baltimore on Sept. 19, 2002 in a relief appearance against Toronto.

In 2003 he made 10 starts and compiled a career-best 3.79 ERA while limiting the league to just a .222 batting average. His best strikeout season in the majors came the following season as he retired 48 in 2004.

His professional playing career came to a conclusion following the 2008 season, and DuBose has since turned his focus to coaching the game as he spent 2010 and 2011 on the staff at Wayne County (Miss.) High School where he helped guide the team to a district championship in 2010. He has also used the time to return to the classroom and will graduate from Mississippi State with a degree in interdisciplinary studies this upcoming August.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge to our staff,” continued Rundles. “His experiences he has gained through his own achievements and hardships will be very valuable to our players as he works and mentors them for the future.”

DuBose replaces Mike Jones who resigned after the 2011 season to spend more time with his family.

“I also want to thank Mike Jones for his hard work, devotion and loyalty to UWA and the baseball program,” Rundles said. “In just a few short years through his direction our pitching staff has developed into one of the best staffs in Division II.”

In 2011, Tiger pitchers registered a staff ERA of 3.92 as three of the squad's four regular starters had an ERA of 4.00 or less, and all are slated to return for the 2012 season.