Marseilles' Drew Gray signs professional baseball contract

Related Media

Drew_Gay.jpg

AURORA, IL (07/18/2013)(readMedia)-- Aurora University baseball graduate Drew Gay (pitcher - Marseilles, Ill./Marquette H.S), AU'13, has signed a professional contract with the St. Paul Saints, an independent team in the American Association based out of St. Paul, Minn.

Gay and the Spartans finished 25-13 overall. In 2012, he helped lead the Spartans to a 38-10 season, tying the school record for the most wins. That same year, the Spartans played in the Northern Athletics Conference regular season and tournament championships which led AU to its 20th appearance in the NCAA Division III Baseball Championships. In 2012, he also was the NAC Pitcher of the Year, First-Team All-Conference and D3baseball.com All-American 2nd Team. In 2011, he was the NAC Pitcher of the Year, First-Team All-Conference and Second Team Midwest All-Region.

In his stellar career, Gay was a vital part in the Spartans winning the 2011 and 2012 NAC Tournament Championship and making NCAA regional appearances both of those years. He finished with a 2.54 earned run average, an 18-8 record, 11 shutouts and five complete games in 32 starts. He had 205 strikeouts in 226-2/3 innings pitched.

"We are very excited for Drew, as he has earned this opportunity to play professionally. He came to AU and was a key factor in our success over the last few seasons," AU Head Baseball Coach Lane Stahl said. "It's great to see another Spartan joining the professional ranks."

Gay joined the Saints organization in the beginning of July and has made one appearance, pitching four scoreless innings of relief.

With Gay's signing of a professional contract, it marks the 15th Spartan to play professional baseball since 1993. The most recent players were Anthony Amedei, AU '11, who signed with the Joliet Slammers in 2011 and Brady Salter, AU '06, who signed with the New York Yankees after being drafted by them in the 42nd round of the 2005 amateur baseball draft.

###

About Aurora University

Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning, annually educating more than 4,800 degree-seeking students at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. More than 600 students annually participate in the university's 20 NCAA Division III athletics programs. In addition to its main campus in Aurora, Ill., AU offers programs online, at its George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wis., and the Woodstock Center in downtown Woodstock, Ill. Learn more at aurora.edu.