June 14, 2010: Belhaven baseball senior relief pitcher, Wade Broyles was selected in the 40th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft, on Wednesday, June 9 by the Tampa Bay Rays. Broyles was the 1,211th overall pick in this year’s draft comprised of 50 rounds.
Broyles, a senior relief pitcher from Madison, MS, anchored the back end of the Blazers bullpen recording 14 saves during the 2010 season, which ranked him second in the NAIA in that category. His 14 saves gave him a new Belhaven single season record and tied for fourth best for a single season in NAIA history. During the season, Broyles posted an ERA of 1.54 with 75 strikeouts in 41 innings. He allowed just seven earned runs all season and held opposing hitters to a .149 batting average.
“Wade was one of the key components of our pitching staff this season which helped lead us to the NAIA World Series,” said Belhaven Head Coach Hill Denson. “He was nearly unhittable as a closer and was automatic out of the bullpen. It was a big day for him and we wish him the best of luck with this opportunity to pursue his professional baseball career.” For more information follow Belhaven University Baseball on the web.
Belhaven University, formerly Belhaven College, prepares men and women academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas. Founded in 1883, the University now serves over 3,000 students from campuses in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, and online.