KALAMAZOO –  Former Western Michigan baseball infielder Jimmy Roche becomes the second player from the 2018-19 roster to sign a professional contract, signing with the Joliet Slammers of the independent Frontier League.

Roche joins outfielder Nate Grys who signed a contract with the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers of the United Shore Professional Baseball League last month.

During his time in Kalamazoo, Roche played in 144 games, starting 110 and registered a .297 batting average, a .342 on-base percentage and a .957 fielding percentage. The Orland Park, Ill., native amassed 140 hits in his career with five home runs, 19 doubles and 74 RBIs.

In his senior campaign, Roche played and started in 44 games at third base and ranked fourth on the team with a .300 batting average. Roche registered 16 multi-hit games for the Broncos and six multi-RBI games. Against Notre Dame on April 10, Roche collected a career-high six RBIs going 3-for-4 at the plate.

During his junior year, Roche recorded a .316 batting average with 33 RBIs en route to being named WMU's Co-MVP.

The Joliet Slammers play in the independent Frontier League in Joliet, Illinois at DuPage Medical Group Field. The Slammers have won two league championships in their franchises' history and are currently the defending champions.

The Frontier League is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States and is currently the oldest running independent league.