June 7, 2005

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman junior third baseman Matthew Betsill has been selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 10th round of the Major League Draft, it was announced today.

Betsill, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound switch-hitter, was the 25th selection of the 10th-round and 315th overall pick. He batted .336 this spring with six home runs and a team leading 50 RBI in helping Furman to a 30-29 record and Southern Conference Tournament championship. He also paced the Paladins in doubles (20), runs (49), and slugging percentage (.526).

The Griffin, Ga., product went 2-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs, including a solo home run, in Furman's eventual 5-4 10-inning loss to Georgia Tech in last Friday's NCAA Atlanta Regional. He earned All-SoCon Tournament honors after batting .438 (7x16) with three RBI and four runs scored en route to the Paladins' tournament championship.

Betsill is the highest draft selection under head coach Ron Smith, who recently completed his 12th season, and highest by a Furman player since 1977, when outfielder Randy Howell was taken in the 9th round (214th pick overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals.