June 6, 2008

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina junior left-handed pitcher Will Atwood has been selected in the 12th round of the 2008 MLB Draft on Friday afternoon. The Washington Nationals selected Atwood as the No. 361 overall pick. He finished the 2008 season with a 5-4 record and a 5.25 ERA in 82.1 innings of work. All five of Atwood’s victories came in SEC games this past year.

Atwood pitched his first career complete game vs. Florida on May 3 and retired 15 batters in a row to end the game in a 6-5 win. In that contest, Atwood also tied his career-high with seven strikeouts. Atwood also earned wins this past year vs. Auburn, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.

In three seasons, Atwood has compiled an 11-7 record along with one save and has hurled 179 innings in 54 appearances.

Atwood is the fourth Gamecock player to be selected in the 2008 MLB Draft. On day one, Justin Smoak and Reese Havens were selected in the first round with James Darnell going in the second round.