SENIORS DAVID FLORES AND RYAN BLAIR DRAFTED BY ASTROS AND INDIANS

6/6/2008

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Hornet seniors David Flores and Ryan Blair were both selected in the second day of the 2008 Major League Baseball First Year Draft on Friday, June 6.

Flores was an 18th round selection of the Houston Astros, while Blair was selected in the 21st round by the Cleveland Indians.

Flores was a four year starter for the Hornets at third base, collecting a career .314 batting average in the Green and Gold. Flores’ name dots the Sacramento State record books, as he is the school’s career leader in three categories, while ranking second in four categories. The Union City, Calif. native is the Hornets all-time leader in career at bats (719), doubles (57) and instances of being hit by a pitch (38), while ranking second in career hits (226), career runs (128), single-season doubles (26) and hits in a single game (5).

Flores saved his best year for his senior campaign, hitting .366 with 26 doubles, 8 home runs and 46 RBI, all of which marked career-highs.The 542nd selection in the draft started all 58 games in his senior season at third base.

A three-time all-Western Athletic Conference selection, Flores was a second team selection in 2006 and 2008, while being named to the first team in 2007. Flores was also a preseason all-WAC selection prior to the 2008 season.

A two year starter after transfering to Sacramento State from the College of the Sequoias, Blair was a .323 hitter during his time in the Green and Gold. He started 109 games for the Hornets, and appeared in 113, starting all but one game during his senior season.

A native of Visalia, Calif., Blair was a second team all-WAC selection in 2008 after hitting .330 with five home runs and 33 RBI. Blair led the team on the basepaths for the second straight season, stealing 15 bases in 19 attempts, pushing his career total to 33 thefts on 41 tries. He started at all three outfield positions during the season, and did not commit an error while collecting five outfield assists.

The 651st pick of the draft, Blair saved arguably his best series of the year for the home finale against Fresno State, going 9-for-17 at the plate (.541) with three doubles.

The duo joins junior Gabe Jacobo, who was a 10th round selection of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, as the Hornets draft class of 2008.