June 7, 2004

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University senior right-handed pitcher Chad Fillinger was one of three current Broncos and two national letter of intent signees selected on the first day of the Major League Baseball Draft.

Fillinger, a native of Petaluma, Calif., was taken in the 16th round with the 483rd pick overall by the Seattle Mariners. Junior first baseman Will Thompson became the highest Bronco draft pick in the Mark O'Brien era when he was taken in the seventh round with the 220th overall pick by the San Francisco Giants. Junior outfielder Nic Crosta became the third member of this season's Santa Clara team selected as he was the 501st pick overall with his 17th round selection by the Texas Rangers.

In addition, two Bronco signees were taken in the first four rounds of the draft. Those two players, as well as Thompson and Crosta, have the option of forgoing their eligibility and turning professional or returning to college. Decisions from those four student-athletes are expected soon.

"Chad will be a really good fit in the Seattle Mariners organization," said O'Brien, who has had nine players drafted as Santa Clara's head coach the past three seasons. "He is a quality pitcher who will go in there and throw strikes. He has good control, is a competitor and will be a good match for their club."

Fillinger recorded a 5-9 overall record with a 6.08 earned run average as a senior this past season. He made 18 appearances, with 17 coming in a starting role, and pitched a team-high 106.2 innings. His 105 strikeouts was the second-most in the West Coast Conference and his 223 career strikeouts is the eighth-most in school history. His 88 career appearances was the fifth-most in the Bronco record books.

Overall, 551 players were selected in the 18 rounds of Monday's first draft day. Representatives from the major league teams will reconvene on Tuesday for the final 32 rounds.