Feb. 7, 2008

Shawn Pender has stepped down as head coach at Saint Joseph’s to become an advance scout for the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m very excited,” Pender said Wednesday evening. “I have worked in pro ball a long time. I had a wonderful experience at Saint Joseph’s, but this is a great opportunity to be a major league advance scout, to work with a manager like Dusty Baker and a general manager like Wayne Krivsky.”

Pender has worked for 18 years in professional baseball with five difference major league organizations, most recently as national scouting supervisor for the Baltimore Orioles.

Pender compiled a record of 41-116 in three seasons with the Hawks.

Former La Salle skipper Lee Saverio, an assistant at Saint Joseph’s, will take over as interim head coach for the 2008 season.

“Lee is familiar with the league,” Pender said. “He was a great addition to our staff. He has great experience and knowledge.”

Saverio posted a mark of 75-125-2 in four years with the Explorers before being dismissed following the 2007 season.