June 7, 2006

BRONX, NY - Former University of Dayton right handed pitcher Luke Trubee was selected by the New York Yankees on Wednesday in Round 33 of the 2006 MLB Draft. Trubee was pick 1004 of this year's draft and the third Flyer pitcher selected in the past three years.

"You can't explain the excitement you feel for something like this," Trubee said. "It is like holding a lottery ticket in your hand and waiting for your number to come up. I just won the lottery today and I am excited."

Trubee will join the Yankees organization on Sunday for mini camp in Tampa, Fla. before reporting to play for the Staten Island Yankees of the Single-A Short Season New York-Penn League.

"I hope to fit in and learn as much as possible from a great organization," Trubee said. "It is a dream come true to play for an organization like the Yankees, which is filled great tradition and success."

Trubee was an Atlantic 10 Honorable Mention All-Conference selection this season after finishing 9-6 with a 3.95 ERA. He matched his own school record with 82 strikeouts this season in 107.0 innings pitched while holding opponents to a .273 batting average against him. Trubee also earned a spot on the A-10 All-Championship team after recording a complete-game shutout with six strikeouts in a win over George Washington.

"I am proud that Luke is being given the opportunity to pitch at the next level," UD Head Coach Tony Vittorio commented. "He will definitely go down as one of the best, if not the best, pitcher in UD history. He deserves the opportunity and I will not be surprised when he does well at the next level."

Trubee is the all-time leader in both wins (30) and strikeouts (218) in a career at UD. The 2006 Preseason All-America pick recorded a school-record 12 victories last season to earn A-10 Second Team honors. As a junior, he also tied the single-season school record for innings pitched and strikeouts.

UD has had three pitchers drafted in the past three seasons. Jerry Blevins was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 2004 MLB Draft while Craig Stammen was picked by the Washington Nationals in the 2005 MLB Draft.

Dayton (33-24) finished with its fourth 30-win season since 2001 at 33-24 under the direction of seventh-year Head Coach Tony Vittorio. The Flyers also advanced to the Atlantic 10 Championships for the second consecutive season and won their first round game for the second time in four appearances overall. UD placed third out of 14 teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference, which is the largest baseball conference in the nation.