VANCOUVER - UBC Thunderbirds baseball standouts
Sammie Starr and
Mark Hardy are the twelfth and thirteenth players in program history to be selected in the MLB Amateur Draft.
Starr, a shortstop from Toronto, was selected in the 34th round (1018 overall) of the 2010 draft by the Baltimore Orioles while the San Diego Padres scooped up Hardy, a 6-foot-4 left-handed pitcher from Campbell River, B.C., in the 43rd round (1294) during the third and final day of picks on Wednesday.
Both players recently capped off impressive four-year careers with the T-Birds. UBC head coach
Terry McKaig is excited they have earned the shot to continue playing baseball at the next level.
"The UBC baseball program is very happy to see Sammie get an opportunity to realize his dream of playing professional baseball. He has developed into one of the finest shortstops in the Pacific Northwest over his fours years," said McKaig. "He has proven that hard work and dedication does payoff. We are grateful for the time he gave us and wish him luck in this chapter of his baseball career."
Starr, a 5-foot-8 infielder, was known more for his defence than his offence when he joined the T-Birds, however, over the course of his UBC career he developed into a potent and reliable offensive producer. In 2010, he finished second on the team with a .366 batting average, 15 doubles, and 41 RBIs while also chipping in with three home runs and a team-best 14 stolen bases.
In addition to his development at the plate, Starr remained one of the premier defensive shortstops in the NAIA, winning back-to-back conference level gold gloves.
Hardy battled some demons this season as he was a near lock to go in the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft before an injury late in the campaign derailed his chances.
After a slow start in 2010 due to last year's injury, he was dominant in the second half of the season and finished the year with a 7-2 record and 3.77 ERA. He struck out a team-high 68 batter and pitched a perfect 7-inning game back in March.
"Mark has been one of our best pitchers over the past four years and this season put it all together down the stretch in winning some huge games for us. He has overcome adversity through last year's injury and this season's start to get to this point," said McKaig. "I know he will do really well in pro ball. He is just coming into his own and San Diego may have gotten one of the steals of the draft if Mark continues on this path."
The T-Birds finished the season with a 41-13 record and were just two wins away from qualifying for the 2010 Avista-NAIA World Series.
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