Courtesy: Albany Athletic Media Relations/Maine Athletic Media Relations
Two America East players were drafted in Major League Baseball's 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Maine's Brad Hertzler became the first America East player drafted as he was selected in the 15th round, the 480th pick overall, by the Oakland A's. Albany's Tom Hill was drafted in the 34th round, the 1023nd pick overall, by the Kansas City Royals.
Hertzler was 4-5 for the Black Bears in 2007 with a team-best 3.58 ERA. He pitched a pair of complete games on the season. Hertzler fanned a team-high 71 batters on the season and allowed 68 hits in the 73 innings. Batters had a .245 average against him.
Hertzler pitched 7.1 innings and struck out a season-high 10 batters in Maine's game at Miami on March 13. He struck out nine batters in a win against UMBC and eight batters in a complete game shutout against Vermont.
Hertzler came to Maine via the Community College of Rhode Island. He was the 2004 Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year. Hertzler was drafted previously in 32nd round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox.
Hill, who split time at catcher and designated hitter for UAlbany, joins former Great Danes Terry Kenny (ninth round, 1974), Steve Checksfield (10th round, 2001), Mike Grasso (11th round, 2002) and Adam Kroft (30th round, 2004).
Hill, a two-time All-America East Conference First Team honoree at catcher, played three seasons for UAlbany after transferring from Elon following his freshman season. Hill finished his career third in UAlbany history with 39 doubles and is also third all-time with 19 home runs. He set UAlbany’s single-season record with 22 doubles as a senior.
Hill was an integral member of the 2007 Great Dane squad that won the school’s first America East baseball championship. The team, which finished 29-29 overall, was the first in program history to advance to the NCAA Division I Regional Tournament.