June 4, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – Two more members of the University of South Carolina baseball team have been drafted on the second day of the Major League Baseball Draft. Senior RHP Chris Hernandez was drafted in the 22nd round by the Pittsburgh Pirates and junior C Landon Powell was selected in the 25th round by the Chicago Cubs.

Now in his second season at Carolina, Hernandez has compiled a 5-4 record with a 2.71 ERA this season, including three complete games, including last weekend’s complete game shutout in Carolina’s 4-0 win vs. ECU at the Atlanta Regional. Hernandez has 47 strikeouts and 23 walks in 76 1/3 innings pitched.

An All-SEC performer and a semi-finalist to the Johnny Bench Award, Powell is one of three captains this year for Carolina and has batted .327 with seven HR and 52 RBI. One of the top defensive catchers in the nation, Powell has started and played all 62 games this year and owns a .994 fielding percentage.

A total of seven current Gamecock players have been chosen in this year’s MLB Draft. Brian Buscher (3rd Round/San Francisco), David Marcbanks (7th Round/Florida), Steven Bondurant (15th Round/Oakland), Justin Harris (16th Round/Pittsburgh), and Jon Coutlangus (18th Round/San Francisco).

The Major League Baseball Draft continues through to the 50th round.