Tampa Sets School Record For Players Drafted As AJ Pinera And Austin Evans Selected

TAMPA, Fla. - Through the first full day of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft, The University of Tampa set a new program record with seven players chosen. With the first 30 rounds complete, Wednesday will consist of 31 through 50 as head coach Joe Urso aims to get more players selected.

Pitchers A.J. Pinera and Austin Evans were the latest Spartans to have their names called, with the New York Mets picked Pinera in the 18th round with the 542nd selection. Evans followed in the 23rd round as the Chicago White Sox chose him with pick 698.

The previous record for UT players was six, which came following the national championship of 2007. Tampa has had at least one selection for eight straight years including multiple choices in five straight years.

"I am extremely excited for each of the guys who were selected," says Urso. "This is a result of many hours of hard work and a dedication to the game along with the history and tradition of UT baseball."

Pinera, a senior righty from Tampa, was a major part of the staff for the last two years after transferring from Hillsborough Community College. As a senior, he compiled an 8-1 record with a 4.25 ERA. In 65.2 innings, he struck out 65 and earned a spot on the NCAA Division II South Regional all-tournament team. He was also a second-team all-Sunshine State Conference selection.

Evans, also a right-handed pitcher from Tampa, pitched as a junior for UT after transferring from the University of Alabama. He pitched in 10 games and logged 11.2 innings of work while striking out 14.

Joining Pinera and Evans as Spartans to be drafted were Jared Simon (Colorado Rockies, 6th, 200), Josh Bowman (Oakland Athletics, 10th, 305), Mike Blanke (Chicago White Sox, 14th, 428), Carmine Giardina (Los Angeles Angels, 15th, 474) and Mike Schwartz (Chicago White Sox, 17th, 518).