SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Former Bethany baseball pitcher Sean Gamble '26 signed a professional baseball contract with the Sioux Falls Canaries and made his pro debut Tuesday. Gamble tossed two scoreless innings of relief for the Canaries in a loss to Sioux City. 

The Sioux Falls Canaries are a member of the American Association of Professional Baseball - a 12-team league spanning from Winnipeg, Canada all the way to Cleburne, Texas. The American Association has an avid fan base across the central part of North America and is an MLB Partner League.

Gamble recently helped Bethany reach uncharted territory, taking part in the best season in program history. After winning their second straight UMAC playoff championship at home, where Gamble did not allow an earned run in three innings of relief throughout the tournament, the Vikings were selected to travel to the UW-Whitewater regional, hosted by the defending national champion and No. 2-ranked team in all of Division III. The Vikings opened the regional with their first ever NCAA tournament victory, beating Luther 8-2. That set up a game with the Warhawks and the Vikings responded with a thrilling come-from-behind 8-7 win.

Bethany and UW-Whitewater met again in the region championship and once again trailing late in the game, the Vikings were able to tie the score 7-7 in the eighth inning and then a sacrifice fly by Kyle Carlberg in the 11th inning scored Xavier Palmer, securing the regional championship for Bethany. Gamble earned the win after throwing the final 3.2 innings with seven strikeouts. 

Bethany then opened the best-of-three Super Regional series at Adrian College (Mich.) with a 3-2 victory and was one win away from the Division III World Series, but the Bulldogs punched back and won the next two games.

Gamble pitched in six playoff games with 14.2 innings of relief. He allowed five earned runs on eight hits with 15 strikeouts. Throughout the season, Gamble owned a 3.50 ERA in 36.0 innings with a team-high 18 appearances. He struck out 46 batters while opponents hit just .156. 

Gamble joins Logan Nissen '21 as the latest former Bethany player who has signed a pro contract. Nissen currently plays in the same league for the Kane County Cougars. Nissen has a 5.40 ERA in 6.2 innings for the Cougars.