Three Spartans Chosen On Day Two Of MLB Draft

TAMPA, Fla. - A total of three University of Tampa baseball players were picked in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft, with each going in the first 22 rounds.

Joining Alex Koronis was fellow pitchers Danny Keefe and Carmine Giardina. After Koronis went to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 11th round (349), Keefe was chosen by the Chicago Cubs in the 14th round with pick number 440. Giardina went to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 22nd round with pick number 655.

Keefe, a senior from North Port, won four games while recording a 4.13 ERA. He led UT with 65.1 innings pitched and was second to Koronis with 70 strikeouts. The righty appeared in 20 games, starting five.

Giardina, a junior from Valrico, pitched in 17 contests while starting eight for the Spartans. The left-handed transfer from the University of Central Florida was 5-1 while leading the team in victories. He also notched 54 strikeouts in 45.1 innings.

With the first 30 rounds of the MLB Draft complete, rounds 31-50 will be on Thursday. Fans may follow the draft through www.mlb.com with UT updates on www.tampaspartans.com.