Aug. 29, 2001

Winston-Salem, NC - Wake Forest relief pitcher Dave Bush will return for his senior season with the Demon Deacons. In June, Bush was drafted in the fourth round of baseball's amateur draft by Tampa Bay.

Bush and the Devil Rays had until today, the first day of classes at Wake Forest, to reach a contact agreement. They did not, and therefore Bush will again come out of the bullpen for the Demon Deacons in 2002.

Bush, a native of Devon, Pa., comes off another impressive summer in the Cape Cod League. For the second straight season, he was selected a Cape Cod League All-Star. Bush was ranked the second best pro prospect in the league by Baseball America. He finished the season with a 0.34 earned run average in 26.2 innings with 35 strikeouts and just three walks. He allowed just one earned run in 19 games this summer.

In the Cape Cod League All-Star game, featuring some of the best college talent in America, Bush pitched the ninth inning and struck out two batters. In another All-Star appearance against the New England Collegiate Baseball League All-Stars, Bush struck out the side in the ninth inning to earn the save.

Last spring as a junior at Wake Forest, Bush was chosen as the ACC Tournament's Most Valuable Player, helping lead the Deacons to their third ACC Championship in four years. Bush was also a first team All-ACC selection and a third team All-American. He finished second in the nation in saves with 16 and became the school's all-time leader in saves and appearances.

With 112 appearances through three seasons, Bush will have the opportunity to become the NCAA's all-time leader in that category. Tom Hickox of Stetson (1988-91) currently holds the record with 151 career appearances. Bush will need 40 appearances to become the leader. He took the hill 36 times as a sophomore and 41 times as a junior.