SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --- Former Tusculum College pitcher Brandon Dickson has been promoted to the Double-A Springfield Cardinals of the Texas League announced officials Wednesday.

Dickson, a 6-5, 195-pound right-handed starting pitcher, will make his Springfield debut on Friday when the Redbirds host Tulsa.

Dickson is in his third year of professional baseball since being picked up as an undrafted free agent by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. The Marbury, Ala. native started this year with the Class-A Palm Beach Cardinals of the Florida State League. He posted a 7-8 record with a 3.51 ERA in the Cardinals' rotation. He made 17 starts and has been credited with a complete game and a save. In 2008, he has pitched in 115.1 innings where he has posted 66 strikeouts.

Dickson made his professional debut in 2006 with the Johnson City Cardinals in the Appalachian League where he posted a 1-0 record in his nine appearances with the Red Birds. In 2007, he pitched with the Swing of the Quad Cities where he went 11-7 in his 31 outings, including 23 starts. He amassed a 3.50 ERA in his 144 innings, including 84 strikeouts.

In his first and only season at Tusculum (2006), Dickson went 5-2 with a 3.39 ERA. His 24 mound appearances are tied for the second most in a season at Tusculum. He tallied four saves in his 58.1 innings to go along with 37 strikeouts. Dickson garnered SAC Pitcher of the Week honors and played in important part in Tusculum's 40-14-1 campaign, including a conference championship.

Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference which is comprised of nine colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

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