Two
Raven Seniors Taken RINDGE,
N.H. (June 7, 2006) –
Two seniors on the NCAA Division II Northeast Region Champion Franklin
Pierce baseball team were selected on day two of the 2006 Major League
Baseball First Year Player Draft this afternoon.
Senior second baseman Mike
Chambers (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry)
was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 32nd round (973
overall), while classmate and centerfielder Elliot
Shea (Jaffrey, N.H./Conant)
was chosen by the Chicago Cubs in the 45th round (1346).
The pair join the Ravens three picks from day one to shatter the
program record for draft picks in one season set when two players were
selected in the 2005 MLB Draft.
Junior All-American Garrett
Olson (Norway, Maine/Oxford Hills)
became the highest draft pick in program history with his selection in
the fourth round (126th overall) by the Minnesota Twins,
while junior right-hander Daniel
Fournier (Worcester, Mass./Holy Name)
was taken by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 11th round and
junior right-hander Shane
Presutti (Southbridge, Mass./Southbridge)
went to the Oakland A’s in the 12th round (368 overall).
“I’m just happy for the guys drafted over the last two days
and the program for the year we had,” said Franklin Pierce Head
Coach Jayson
King.
“Our record-breaking year just carried over to the draft. For the
two seniors taken today, I’m just glad they are going to get a
chance at the next level.”
Franklin Pierce’s 11 picks since 2001 are tied with the
University of Connecticut for second among New England Colleges and
Universities behind Boston College (17).
“To be honest, I think we should have had more guys taken,”
said Chambers. “This is the best team I’ve ever been a part of.
Hopefully we will have more guys signed in the next few days.” Chambers, a three-time All-Northeast-10 and All-Region second baseman for Franklin Pierce, got the thrill every native New Englander dreams of when the Red Sox selected him in the 32nd round.
“It’s
a dream come true to be drafted by the team you followed growing
up,” said Chambers. “I felt like the Red Sox had the most
interest, so every time their pick came up I paid extra attention.
It’s good to be going to such a great organization and I can’t
wait to be a part of that atmosphere.”
Chambers hit .342 (78-for-228) for Franklin Pierce this spring
to go with 61 runs scored, a school-record 26 doubles, a triple, ten
home runs and 48 RBI while starting all 59 games. He also stole 16
bases and notched 25 multi-hit and ten multi-RBI outings.
In addition to shattering his own single-season doubles mark of
18 set in 2005, Chambers’ 26 two-baggers this spring were just six
shy of the NCAA Division II record. Chambers finished with a
school-record 70 doubles, good for a tie for fourth in NCAA Division
II history and ten shy of the national record, and sit 26 ahead of
Shea and Dante Blancarte’s career totals of 44 on the program’s
all-time list. He also ranks among career leaders at the College with
199 games played (2nd), 238 hits (3rd), 151 runs
scored (4th), 23 home runs (6th), 139 RBI (2nd),
77 walks (3rd) and 34 stolen bases (7th).
Chambers was also named the College Division MVP of the 2005
New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association All-Star Game after
he belted a home run deep over the famed Green Monster at Fenway Park.
“I think my dad always thought this day would come since I
was five,” said Chambers. “I’m just so fortunate and thank God
that I was able to stay injury free. I owe a lot to Coach King and
Franklin Pierce, because without them, today wouldn’t have been
possible. Coach played such a big role in turning me into a
non-drafted high school player to what I am today.” Shea, a three-time All-Northeast-10 selection and first team All-Northeast pick this spring, was forced to wait patiently until the very late picks of the draft when the Chicago Cubs selected him in the 45th round.
“I
was relieved to hear from them after sitting around the computer the
last two days,” said Shea, who had received a call from the Saint
Louis Cardinals after the 40th round, but was chosen by
their National League Central rivals instead. “At that point I
didn’t care who it was, but it’s exciting now and I’m happy to
be getting the chance to play at the next level.”
Shea hit .335 (81-for-242) for Franklin Pierce this spring with
53 runs scored, 20 doubles, five triples, six home runs and 47 RBI to
go with a school-record 29 stolen bases. He also notched 23 multi-hit
games and 11 multi-RBI outings. Shea had a record day at Merrimack on
April 10, going 5-for-6 at the plate with a school-record four doubles
to go with five RBI, also matching the program record for hits in a
game.
Shea became the program’s career hit leader with a solo home
run against Dominican College in the NCAA Division II Northeast
Regional, finishing his career with 248 hits. He has also played in a
school-record 204 games and stole a record 70 bases over his career at
Franklin Pierce, also ranking among career leaders with 155 runs
scored (3rd), 44 doubles (2nd), nine triples (2nd),
111 RBI (6th) and 60 walks (8th).
In addition to his multiple All-Conference and All-Region
honors, Shea was one of three first time selections from Franklin
Pierce to earn ESPN The Magazine District I Academic All-America
honors this spring, and was also selected as the College’s Richard
Burns Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
“It’s pretty remarkable,” Shea commented on being one of
a record five Major League Draft picks from Franklin Pierce. “Five
draft picks is a lot no matter what school you come from, but it just
show how far the program has come. It’s an honor to be one of the
five and I’m just glad I could be a part of a great program.”
Franklin Pierce (46-13) shattered the program record for wins
en route to earning its second trip to the NCAA Division II Baseball
Championships in four years where the Ravens again reached the
semifinal round. The Ravens posted a record 25-5 record in
Northeast-10 Conference play, earning the first regular season title
in program history.
“This was the best year baseball-wise I have ever
experienced,” said Chambers. “All the guys were good guys and on
top of it they were all so talented. I don’t think you’ll ever see
a team like that any time soon. I’m thankful I was able to be a part
of it.” |
