Pair caps record five picks for Franklin Pierce baseball program in 2006 Red Sox pick Chambers in 32nd round, Shea goes to Chicago Cubs in 45th  

RINDGE, N.H. (June 7, 2006) - Two seniors on the NCAA Division II Northeast Region Champion Franklin Pierce baseball team were selected on day two of the 2006 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft this afternoon.

Senior second baseman Mike Chambers (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 32^nd round (973 overall), while classmate and centerfielder Elliot Shea (Jaffrey, N.H./Conant) was chosen by the Chicago Cubs in the 45^th round (1346). The pair join the Ravens three picks from day one to shatter the program record for draft picks in one season set when two players were selected in the 2005 MLB Draft.

Junior All-American Garrett Olson (Norway, Maine/Oxford Hills) became the highest draft pick in program history with his selection in the fourth round (126^th overall) by the Minnesota Twins, while junior right-hander Daniel Fournier (Worcester, Mass./Holy Name) was taken by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 11^th round and junior right-hander Shane Presutti (Southbridge, Mass./Southbridge) went to the Oakland A's in the 12^th round (368 overall).

"I'm just happy for the guys drafted over the last two days and the program for the year we had," said Franklin Pierce Head Coach Jayson King. "Our record-breaking year just carried over to the draft. For the two seniors taken today, I'm just glad they are going to get a chance at the next level."

Franklin Pierce's 11 picks since 2001 are tied with the University of Connecticut for second among New England Colleges and Universities behind Boston College (17).

"To be honest, I think we should have had more guys taken," said Chambers. "This is the best team I've ever been a part of. Hopefully we will have more guys signed in the next few days."

Chambers, a three-time All-Northeast-10 and All-Region second baseman for Franklin Pierce, got the thrill every native New Englander dreams of when the Red Sox selected him in the 32^nd round.           

"It's a dream come true to be drafted by the team you followed growing up," said Chambers. "I felt like the Red Sox had the most interest, so every time their pick came up I paid extra attention. It's good to be going to such a great organization and I can't wait to be a part of that atmosphere."

Chambers hit .342 (78-for-228) for Franklin Pierce this spring to go with 61 runs scored, a school-record 26 doubles, a triple, ten home runs and 48 RBI while starting all 59 games. He also stole 16 bases and notched 25 multi-hit and ten multi-RBI outings.

In addition to shattering his own single-season doubles mark of 18 set in 2005, Chambers' 26 two-baggers this spring were just six shy of the NCAA Division II record. Chambers finished with a school-record 70 doubles, good for a tie for fourth in NCAA Division II history and ten shy of the national record, and sit 26 ahead of Shea and Dante Blancarte's career totals of 44 on the program's all-time list. He also ranks among career leaders at the College with 199 games played (2^nd), 238 hits (3^rd), 151 runs scored (4^th), 23 home runs (6^th), 139 RBI (2^nd), 77 walks (3^rd) and 34 stolen bases (7^th).

Chambers was also named the College Division MVP of the 2005 New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association All-Star Game after he belted a home run deep over the famed Green Monster at Fenway Park.

"I think my dad always thought this day would come since I was five," said Chambers. "I'm just so fortunate and thank God that I was able to stay injury free. I owe a lot to Coach King and Franklin Pierce, because without them, today wouldn't have been possible. Coach played such a big role in turning me into a non-drafted high school player to what I am today."

Shea, a three-time All-Northeast-10 selection and first team All-Northeast pick this spring, was forced to wait patiently until the very late picks of the draft when the Chicago Cubs selected him in the 45^th round.    

"I was relieved to hear from them after sitting around the computer the last two days," said Shea, who had received a call from the Saint Louis Cardinals after the 40^th round, but was chosen by their National League Central rivals instead. "At that point I didn't care who it was, but it's exciting now and I'm happy to be getting the chance to play at the next level."

Shea hit .335 (81-for-242) for Franklin Pierce this spring with 53 runs scored, 20 doubles, five triples, six home runs and 47 RBI to go with a school-record 29 stolen bases. He also notched 23 multi-hit games and 11 multi-RBI outings. Shea had a record day at Merrimack on April 10, going 5-for-6 at the plate with a school-record four doubles to go with five RBI, also matching the program record for hits in a game.

Shea became the program's career hit leader with a solo home run against Dominican College in the NCAA Division II Northeast Regional, finishing his career with 248 hits. He has also played in a school-record 204 games and stole a record 70 bases over his career at Franklin Pierce, also ranking among career leaders with 155 runs scored (3^rd), 44 doubles (2^nd), nine triples (2^nd), 111 RBI (6^th) and 60 walks (8^th).

In addition to his multiple All-Conference and All-Region honors, Shea was one of three first time selections from Franklin Pierce to earn ESPN The Magazine District I Academic All-America honors this spring, and was also selected as the College's Richard Burns Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

"It's pretty remarkable," Shea commented on being one of a record five Major League Draft picks from Franklin Pierce. "Five draft picks is a lot no matter what school you come from, but it just show how far the program has come. It's an honor to be one of the five and I'm just glad I could be a part of a great program."

Franklin Pierce (46-13) shattered the program record for wins en route to earning its second trip to the NCAA Division II Baseball Championships in four years where the Ravens again reached the semifinal round. The Ravens posted a record 25-5 record in Northeast-10 Conference play, earning the first regular season title in program history.

"This was the best year baseball-wise I have ever experienced," said Chambers. "All the guys were good guys and on top of it they were all so talented. I don't think you'll ever see a team like that any time soon. I'm thankful I was able to be a part of it."

Franklin Pierce's All-Time MLB Draft Picks
2001 - Justin Blood (Swanzey, N.H.), LHP, Seattle Mariners, 9^th round
            Retired, Associate Head Coach University of Connecticut
2002 - Chris Shank (Westminster, Mass.), RHP, Oakland A's, 22^nd round
            Now playing for the Worcester Tornadoes (Can-Am League)
2003 - Matt Weagle (Charlton, Mass.), RHP, St. Louis Cardinals, 6^th round
            Now playing for the Worcester Tornadoes (Can-Am League)
2004 - Eric Cavers (Otisfield, Maine), C, Houston Astros, 10^th round
            Lexington Legends, Class A, South Atlantic League
2005 - Shawn Hayes (Charlton, Mass.), SS, Kansas City Royals, 5^th round
            Extended Spring Training
            Matt Fisher (Athol, Mass.), RHP, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 15^th round
            Extended Spring Training
2006 - Garrett Olson (Norway, Maine), SS, Minnesota Twins, 4^th round
            Daniel Fournier (Worcester, Mass.), RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks, 11^th round
            Shane Presutti (Southbridge, Mass.), RHP, Oakland A's, 12^th round
            Mike Chambers (Londonderry, N.H.), 2B, Boston Red Sox, 32^nd round
            Elliot Shea (Jaffrey, N.H.), OF, Chicago Cubs, 45^th round