Twenty-three year old Arlington High School graduate Andy Theiler is officially a professional baseball player.
The outfielder made his Lincoln Saltdogs debut last Friday in Canada against the Winnipeg Goldeyes, going 1-for-5 and scoring two runs. He started in centerfield less than three weeks after his final Doane University season ended.
According to the school's Rick Schmuecker, the assistant athletics director for athletics communication, Theiler registered the first out of the bottom of the first inning in Winnepeg last Friday. He chased down a ball in the left-center gap and snagged it. The former Tiger then reached base during his second at-bat, scoring to tie the game for Lincoln.
Theiler's first hit, however, came during the top of the seventh inning. The new Saltdog hit a high chopper to second base, beating the throw to first base. He later scored when Josh Altmann hit a three-run homer to give Lincoln a 9-6 advantage.
The Saltdogs — who are members of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official MLB Partner League — went onto win 10-8. Their president and general manager is Charlie Meyer, an Arlington native and Doane graduate.
Michael Dixon, Lincoln's director of broadcasting and communications, said roster moves within the organization can go in many different directions — from short-term stints to Major League pickups. Injuries and Canadian COVID-19 vaccine requirements helped lead to Theiler's signing.
The outfielder's work on the diamond certainly did, too, though. He closed out his Doane career last month as a multiple-time All-Great Plains Athletics Conference selection.
Theiler led the 2022 Tigers with a .359 batting average, notching five homers and 48 RBIs. He had 27 extra-base hits overall.
Before his college career, however, the Arlington grad helped lead the Eagles to the 2017 Class B state tournament. He batted .377 during his senior season and earned All-Class B honors from the Omaha World-Herald.
The Saltdogs played in Winnipeg again Saturday and Sunday before today's 7:05 p.m. home game against the Chicago Dogs. Lincoln plays at Haymarket Park — the same stadium where Theiler ended his high school career.
