Cape Girardeau, Mo. (July 26, 2002) - Southeast Missouri Baseball second baseman Clemente Bonilla has realized a dream by signing with the Cincinnati Reds. He will report to the Stockton (Calif.) Ports in the California League.

Bonilla is the career leader in walks at Southeast and in the Ohio Valley Conference. He holds not only the career record, but also the single-season record as he led the nation in 2001 with 61 free passes. He ranks in the top ten at Southeast of several categories and is also the career leader in assists.

Bonilla hit for over .340 in his career at Southeast and utilized a prolific eye at the plate this season. He was passed over, however, in the June Major League Baseball Draft. The switch-hitter, who started the season recovering from shoulder surgery, moved his average from a low of .202 near the beginning of the conference schedule to his season ending average of .347. He led the team in doubles with 19 and ended the season with a 20-game hitting streak intact.

Clemente had been contacted after the draft by the Reds about a possible signing, but had not heard from them up until last night. The Reds had traded Stockton infielder David Espinoza to the Tigers this past week in part of a trade that brought pitcher Brian Moheler to Cincinnati. This made an opening in the infield and Bonilla was the Red's man.

Bonilla will be in uniform tonight as Stockton plays host to the Modesto A's.