June 5, 2002

Poughkeepsie, NY - Marist College baseball players Chuck Bechtel (Royersford, PA) and Steve O'Sullivan (Bronx, NY) were both selected during the second day of the annual Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. O'Sullivan was selected in the 23rd round by the Chicago Cubs, while Bechtel was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 25th round of the draft. The duo joins Anthony Bocchino (Brooklyn, NY), the 11th round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates, as the largest number of players drafted in a single season in program history.

O'Sullivan, a graduate of Fordham Prep High School, was the 693rd pick of the 50 round draft, chosen by the Cubs. As the Red Foxes starting shortstop, O'Sullivan hit .332 on the year, scoring a school record 67 runs. Against St., Peter's he tied two NCAA Records, tripling twice in the first inning and three times in that same game.

Bechtel, a graduate of Springford High School, returned from injury to post an 8-5 record for Marist this spring, and was the 745th overall pick of the draft. He struck out eight batters in his 6.1 innings of NCAA Tournament play, and tossed 79.1 innings on the year, with an ERA of 4.31. Bechtel, who struck out 73 batters this spring, still has one year of collegiate eligibility remaining.

The Red Foxes went 41-14 record this season, the most wins in program history, won their third straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Title and won an NCAA Tournament Regional game for the third straight season, defeating Southwest Missouri State, 5-4 in 11 innings.