Pittsfield Duke Alum Gress Selected in Major League Draft
Hamden, CT (June 9, 2007) Quinnipiac University senior and former
Pittsfield Duke Randy Gress (Shelton, Conn.) was selected by the
Atlanta Braves in the 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player
Draft. Gress was taken by the Braves in the 18th round with the
558th overall pick.
Gress, the only three-year Duke in the franchise’s history was votes
as the league’s Most Improved Player in his third and final season
in Pittsfield. Gress ended the season second in the team in hitting
with an average of .284, hitting ten doubles, two homeruns and
driving eighteen runs. Gress was the only Dukes player to start all
42 of their games last season.
In his senior season, Gress led the Bobcats in homeruns (12) and
runs scored (47) while ranking second in slugging percentage (.586)
and runs batted in (45). Gress finished the year with a .297
(55-185) average with 12 doubles and one triple. He was named the
Akadema/NEC Player of the Week on the final day of the regular
season after driving in eight runs while scoring eight more for the
week as Quinnipiac clinched a share of the NEC title and the #1 seed
in the NEC Tournament.
"I can't even explain how I feel right now." Gress said, "It's a
dream come true. It's something I've worked hard for, and it really
is a great feeling. I really can't wait to get started. I decided
that I wasn't going to watch the draft and drive myself crazy. I was
about to pick up the phone and call home to see what round the draft
was in and Pat Egan called me. He said, `You just got drafted'. It
was an unbelievable feeling."
Gress will report early next week to the Braves' rookie camp at the
Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. From there, Gress will
head to Danville, Va. to join the Danville Braves. The Danville
Braves are a short-season rookie league team that is set to start
play on June 19th.
The Dukes will be in action tonight for their home opener against
the Keene Swamp Bats at 7p.m.
Season tickets for the Dukes are available now. Tickets can be
purchased online at www.pittsfielddukes.com or by calling (413)
447-DUKE.
The Dukes appreciate your support. GO DUKES!!
