SONOMA, Calif. - Former Bethune-Cookman right-handed pitcher Scott Garner made his professional debut this week with a solid opening performance as a member of the Sonoma Stompers.

The Stompers, an independent club in the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs, formally announced signing the B-CU graduate on Tuesday (July 22) and moved him into action that night, coming out of the bullpen against the San Rafael Pacifics.

“I’m really excited to be here,” Garner told team officials at his signing. “I’m ready to play for Sonoma and help this team win.”

The former Wildcat got off to a great start, entering in the eighth against the Pacifics, allowing no hits and no runs in one inning pitched.

“I’m feeling really confident,” Garner told B-CU Athletic Communications after the debut. “I was able to go out there and show them what I’ve got, and was able to see and get a feel for how independent ball and professional ball works. I have to be on top of my game every time, and right now I’m 100 percent healthy, and ready to go out there and do what I do best.”

Garner was 20-15 in his four years with Bethune-Cookman, including a stellar freshman year in 2011, when he went 9-2 with a 2.48 ERA to earn Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Pitcher and Rookie of the Year, in addition to Freshman All-American honors.

The Port Orange, Fla. native established a very notable presence in the Bethune-Cookman record book, appearing in the career records top 10 in five categories. Garner is second in career innings pitched (267.0), third in career starts (43), fourth in career victories (20), eighth in career appearances (65) and eighth in shutouts. In addition, the former Wildcats hurler ranks in a tie for fifth in season wins (9, 2011) and is sixth in season win/loss percentage (.818, 2011). His final two appearances in the Maroon and Gold came in the 2014 NCAA Coral Gables Regional, both against top-seeded Miami (Fla.).

Stompers Manager Ray Serrano has said that Garner will begin in the bullpen with the Stompers; hardly unfamiliar territory for Garner, who pitched in relief in 22 of his 65 collegiate appearances.

Garner, a Spruce Creek High School graduate, could see action again as soon as Thursday (July 24) night, with the San Rafael Pacifics still in Sonoma for three more games.