June 11, 2013 (Jackson) - The Oakland A selected Kyle Wheeler, senior and Blazers catcher, in the Major League Baseball Draft on June 8, 2013. Wheeler was taken in the 26th round with the 791st overall pick. Wheeler is the fourth player drafted out of the Belhaven Baseball program in the last five seasons.
"Im proud of the accomplishments of Kyle and being selected in the Major League Baseball Draft," said Belhaven Head Coach Hill Denson. "Kyle has been one of the key components of our ball-club the past two seasons, both at the plate and behind the plate. It was a big day for him and we wish him the best of luck with this opportunity to pursue his professional baseball career."
Wheeler, a sports administration major from Loranger, La., provided solid offense and defense from the catcher position this past season and was a Southern States Athletic Conference 2nd Team All-Conference selection. His batting average is second best on the team while four triples led all Blazers hitters. Wheeler had a .989 fielding percentage with just four errors in 367 chances and has only two passed balls.
Wheeler career numbers, which encompass the 2012 and 2013 seasons, include a .322 batting average with seven home runs and 50 runs batted in. The Blazers recently wrapped up the 2013 season with a 37-21 record and the Maloney Series title.
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Belhaven University stands among select Christian colleges and universities and has been repeatedly named one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys." The University offers 30 academic majors across a full spectrum of disciplines as well as a variety of graduate programs. In addition, Belhaven has achieved the distinction of being among only 30 universities nationally accredited in each of the major arts – music, theatre, visual art and dance. All programs are taught from a Christian worldview perspective and are guided by the mission to prepare students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.
Belhaven University serves over 3,700 students offering undergraduate and graduate degrees on its residential campus, an online degree program, and graduate and adult degree programs in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, and Atlanta.