Rider's Hayes Drafted
by Braves
LAWRENCEVILLE?James
Hayes of the Rider University baseball team was selected in the 48th
round by the Atlanta Braves in the Major League Baseball First Year Player
Draft Thursday. “This is
awesome,” Hayes said. “It was exciting to hear my name.”
“This is very exciting for Jamie,” said Rider head coach Barry
Davis. “I know he is a big Braves fan, but I don't think it would have mattered
who drafted him.”
A Second
Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Second Team All-New Jersey
selection in 2009, Hayes played right field, shortstop and closer in his
collegiate career and was drafted as a pitcher. “He came here as an infielder
and leaves as a professional pitcher,” Davis
said.
A career
.330 hitter, Hayes graduates with Rider career records for hits (265), runs
scored (180), stolen bases (96) and saves (33). “This is well deserved,” Davis said. “He had a
great career and this caps it off.”
On the
mound Hayes compiled 104 strikeouts in 90 innings as Rider's closer with an
earned run average of 3.90 and a record of 7-6. Opponents batted .259 against
him. He set the Rider single season
record for saves with 11 in 2007 and tied that mark in 2008.
“All the
hard work has paid off,” Hayes said. “I couldn't ask for more. I grew up a
Braves fan and followed them my whole life. To be drafted by them is something
else. A dream come true, for sure.”
In 2008
Hayes was the New Jersey College Player of the Year, the MAAC Relief Pitcher of
the Year, First Team All-MAAC as a utility player, Second Team All-East as a
relief pitcher and the MAAC Championship Tournament MVP, leading Rider to the
NCAA Tournament.
Hayes is
the 43rd Rider player in the last 39 years to play professional
baseball and the first Bronc to be drafted since 2006. Hayes is the 18th player under Davis to advance to the professional ranks and the second
under Davis
from Rider.
Six former
Broncs have reached the major leagues; James Hoey (Orioles), Kevin Barry
(Braves), Jack Armstrong (Reds, Marlins), Ed Whited (Braves), Jeff Kunkel (Rangers) and Dan Napoleon (Mets).
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