From Marshall Sports Information

June 6, 2012

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HUNTINGTON -- Marshall relief pitcher Joe Church has been selected by the San Diego Padres in the 17th round (525th overall) of the 2012 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft on Wednesday, June 6.

Church, who was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 40th round of the 2011 draft, represents the first Marshall player to be selected in the 2012 MLB draft.

Just seven rounds later, the Herd program saw left-handed pitcher Mike Mason has been selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 24th round (738th selection) of the 2012 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft.

Mason was selected in the 23rd round of the 2011 MLB draft by the Texas Rangers. but opted to remain at Marshall for his senior season

Church, a right-hander with a dominating fastball, is the eighth Marshall baseball player to be drafted over the last two seasons, and the 13th to be drafted after serving on one of head coach Jeff Waggoner’s squads.

Over the last four seasons, Church went 4-2 in 40 relief appearances and amassed 58 strikeouts in 47.0 innings pitched (11.11 strikeouts per nine innings pitched).

Joe Church drafted in 17th round of 2012 MLB Draft by San Diego Padres. photo courtesy of Marshall Sports Information

The red-shirt junior, who received a medical red-shirt in 2010, owned a 5.94 earned run average during his career as a Marshall pitcher.

In 2012, Church was a perfect 2-0 through 20 appearances.  Church struck out 34 hitters over 26.1 innings (11.62 strikeouts per nine innings pitched) and allowed earned runs in only five appearances.

Church posted a 3.76 earned run average in 2012.

Church went un-drafted out of high school.

Mason finished his Marshall career with 217 career strikeouts, ranking fourth in Marshall history in that category.

In 2012, Mason threw seven quality starts and posted a 4-6 record with a 4.15 earned run average.

Mike Mason was drafted in the 24th round by the Colorado Rockies in the 2012 MLB Draft, Marshall's second player. HI file photo by Greg Perry