Baseball plays in summer leagues

While the Jackets were unable to get into the NCAA tournament, it did not stop them from playing summer baseball. Ten athletes from the team were selected in the Major League Baseball draft that occurred June 6-7, tying Tech's record for the highest number of players drafted in one year.

The top Tech pick in this year's draft was catcher Matt Wieters, who was selected No. 5 overall in this year's draft by the Baltimore Orioles. The draft choice was the highest selection of any Tech player since 2001, when first baseman Mark Teixeira was selected fifth overall by the Texas Rangers.

The only other player out of those 10 to be selected on the first day of the draft was center fielder and relief pitcher Danny Payne. Payne was taken with the 64th pick in the supplemental round of the draft by the San Diego Padres.

The supplemental round is the round in between the first and second round in which a pick is rewarded to a team that has lost a certain type of free agent. Unlike Wieters, Payne has already signed and is playing minor league baseball with the single A Eugene Emeralds.

Payne has started off his professional career red hot. In seven games, Payne has gotten on base 19 times out of 33 to give him an on-base percentage of .576. Payne has also stolen three bases, scored seven times and driven in one run in his first season in the majors.

Out of the other eight players drafted on day two, five of them signed with the teams they were drafted by. Shortstop Michael Fisher and relief pitcher Tim Ladd were each drafted by the Atlanta Braves, and signed with them.

In Danville, with the Braves' single-A team, Fisher has a .417 batting average in four games with one home run, two RBIs and three walks. Meanwhile, Ladd has appeared in one game, pitching 3 and 1/3 innings with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

Outfielder Wally Crancer was drafted in round 12 by Baltimore and has reported to the Aberdeen IronBirds.

He is hitting just .200 there, but has driven in five runs with only five hits. Pitchers Jared Hyatt and Ryan Turner were both drafted very late by the Texas Rangers in rounds 33 and 45. Both are currently playing ball in the Arizona Rookie League.

The highest player drafted that has yet to sign is Eddie Burns, who was drafted in round 16 by Atlanta. Burns is currently playing for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod League. He has compiled a 2-0 record with a 1.38 ERA with seven strikeouts to just three walks. Pitcher David Duncan was drafted in round 23 by Washington, and has not signed nor has he joined any summer league to this point.

Last but not least, first baseman Luke Murton was drafted in round 40 by the New York Yankees. Murton is currently playing baseball in the Cape Cod League with the Wareham Gatemen. He is off to a slow start with a batting average of just .069 and two RBIs.

Below is a list of where some of the current Jackets are playing baseball over the summer and how they are doing.

Northwoods league

Chris House is playing with the Duluth Huskies and is batting .304. Zach Von Tersch is on the same squad and has a 4-1 record and 1.72 ERA. Tony Plagman and Jason Haniger join the two on the same team.

Valley League

Jason Garofalo and William Hirsch are both playing for the Covington Lumberjacks this summer. This summer, Hirsch has pitched well, compiling a 1-1 record with a 3.13 ERA, 21 K and 10 walks. Freshman Garofalo played just 11 games during his first season at the Flats but still had a .303 batting average.

Cape Cod League

Eddie Burns is playing for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox and has an impressive 2-0 record with a 1.38 ERA. Curtis Dupart is on the Cotuit Kettler's squad, hitting .304 with a .407 on base percentage after 23 at bats.

Texas Collegiate League

Sean Devine and Charlie Blackmon are both playing for the Colleyville Lonestars. Devine is 1-0 and has 13 strikeouts to just two walks.