June 7, 2007

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest junior lefthanded pitcher Eric Niesen was selected in the third round of the 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the New York Mets on Thursday.

Niesen was the 99th selection overall and the fifth pick of the third round. The New Boston, Mich., native was the 16th lefthanded pitcher taken overall and the 11th collegiate lefthander selected.

Niesen becomes the highest-drafted Demon Deacon hurler since Kyle Sleeth was taken in the first round of the 2003 draft, third overall, by the Detroit Tigers. Niesen is the first lefthanded pitcher to be drafted out of Wake Forest since Danny Borrell was selected by the New York Yankees in the second round, 68th overall, of the 2000 draft.

Niesen began the 2007 season in Wake Forest's starting rotation before making the transition to the bullpen in early April. The lefty finished the season 6-5 with a team-best 3.00 ERA in 30 appearances, including seven starts. Niesen struck out 83 batters 84 innings pitched. Opponents hit a team-low .218 against him.

In 23 relief appearances, Niesen was 3-2 with a 1.80 ERA. He struck out 50 batters in 40 innings pitched out of the bullpen, and opponents hit just .173 against him. Niesen led the team with five holds on the season.

Niesen was named the ACC Pitcher of the Week on April 2, following his final start of the season. Niesen pitched 8 1/3 scoreless innings to lead the Deacons to a 6-0 shutout of nationally-ranked North Carolina.

For his career, Niesen is 14-9 with a 4.66 ERA. He has struck out 188 batters in 191 1/3 innings pitched, and opponents have hit .241 against him. Niesen has appeared in 85 games with 19 starts. He is tied for fourth on Wake Forest's all-time list for career appearances.

The first five rounds of the MLB Draft were conducted on Thursday, with the first round televised on ESPN2. The final portion of the draft begins at 11:30 a.m. on Friday.