June 6, 2008

Contact: Greg Murphy

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State junior left-handed pitcher Josh Hungerman (Pittsburgh, Pa.) was selected on Friday (June 6) with the 1,499th pick (50th round) of the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft.

Hungerman was the second Viking southpaw drafted in as many years, following Stephen Procner's selection by the Baltimore Orioles in the 28th round (849th pick) last June.

"We are very excited for Josh and his family," head coach Kevin Kocks said. "Josh has worked very hard during his time at Cleveland State and developed into one of the top pitchers in the Horizon League. And his selection today confirms that."

The six-foot, 200 pound Hungerman went 5-3 with a 5.11 earned run average this past season. He led the team in wins and strikeouts (64), while finishing second on the team with 79.1 innings pitched.

A two-time Horizon League Pitcher of the Week this season, Hungerman pitched 8.1 innings and earned a no decision in a 10-7 loss (14 innings) to Milwaukee in the opening round of the Horizon League Championship. After giving up five early runs to the Panthers, he responded by retiring 19 straight batters.

That performance came on the heels of a complete game effort in a 3-1 win at Butler in which Hungerman struck out eight.

In his three years at CSU, Hungerman has compiled a 7-21 record with a 6.43 earned run average and 156 strikeouts.