FOREST, Va. --- A pair of ODAC standout right-handers had a new door opened for them earlier this week in the annual Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Randolph-Macon College junior Colin Selby and Shenandoah University senior Colin Morse were selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals, respectively, on Wednesday.
Selby and Morse earned the past two ODAC Pitcher of the Year awards with Selby receiving the honor this season and Morse picking up his recognition from the league's head coaches in 2017. They combined for 19 victories and 215 strikeouts in 181.2 innings of work this season.
The pair are two of 12 players from NCAA Division III schools selected over the event's three days in Secaucas, N.Y. Pitchers accounted for 10 of those drafted athletes. Selby was the third Division III player off the board behind Hugh Smith (RHP | 6th Round | 165th Overall) from Whitworth University to the Detroit Tigers and Christian Cosby (RHP | 14th | 422nd) from Chapman University to the Kansas City Royals. Morse was the sixth D3 competitor to hear his name called with Michael Wielansky (SS | 18th | 522nd) from the College of Wooster to the Houston Astros and Michael Mateja (3B | 25th | 742nd) from North Central (Ill.) College to the Los Angeles Angels separating him from Selby.
RELATED: MLB Draft Results | NCAA Division III Players Selected
Selby, from Chesapeake, Va., helped Randolph-Macon become the second straight ODAC team to qualify for the NCAA Division III National Championship Series in Appleton, Wis. He set program records in wins (11) and starts (15), finishing 11-3 in 15 total appearances. He fanned an ODAC single-season record 126 batters, leading the country in that category and helping him to an 11.69 strikeouts per nine-inning average. He surrendered just 80 hits and 28 earned runs in 97.0 innings on the hill, helping him to a 2.60 earned run average.
Selby registered 10 or more strikeouts in five games including a career-best 14 in seven strong frames towards a 10-5 victory at Washington and Lee University in late March. For his career, Selby posted an 18-5 record with a 2.95 ERA and 192 strikeouts in 171.0 innings of work over 30 appearances. He has reportedly agreed to terms with the Pirates with his next step to be determined.
RELATED: Statistical Profile - Colin Selby | Statistical Profile - Colin Morse
Morse, a native of Vienna, Va., joins his brother Phil in the Nats organization. Phil Morse was selected in the 16th round (484th overall) in the 2016 draft and is assigned to Hagerstown in the Single-A South Atlantic League. Colin Morse will report to the Nationals' spring training home in West Palm Beach, Fla., for assignment to one of its minor league affiliates.
The younger Morse finished his SU career with a 27-5 record and 270 strikeouts in 284 2/3 innings pitched. He was a three-time All-ODAC honoree in addition to his top pitching award in 2017. His strikeout total is tops all-time at Shenandoah with his 27 wins second only to Greg Van Sickler. His victory and strikeout marks both rank third in the ODAC record book.