Shane Riedie Becomes First Spartan Chosen In 2011 MLB Draft

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa baseball program continued its influence on the Major League Baseball Draft, with pitcher Shane Riedie becoming the first UT player chosen in the 2011 draft. Riedie was chosen by the Los Angeles Angels in the 21st round with selection number 645.

A pitcher from Slidell, La., the 6-foot-5-inch transfer from Louisiana State University just completed his junior season as a reliever for the Spartans. Riedie has one year of eligibility remaining if he does not come to terms with the Angels.

In 2011, Riedie compiled a 3-2 record in 16 games with the Spartans. In 39.0 innings of work, he notched 40 strikeouts to go with a 4.15 ERA and one save. He picked up his first UT win against No. 5 Mount Olive on Feb. 13 and was also the victor in games versus Stillman (Feb. 19) and Lynn (March 19).

The Spartans have now had a player selected in the MLB Draft for a string of nine straight years, dating back to the 2003 season. Riedie's selection brings the number of Tampa players picked in the past six years to 28.

UT is coming off a record nine selections in the 2010 MLB Draft, which marked the most by any college in the state of Florida as head coach Joe Urso's UT team was fifth among all colleges and universities in selections.