AYERS DRAFTED BY KANSAS CITY ROYALS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento State senior second baseman Andrew Ayers was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 30th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Ayers was the third Hornet selected during the day, joining teammates Justin Higley (Oakland A's, 13th round) and Tanner Mendonca (Minnesota Twins, 17th round). Sacramento State has now had five players drafted in the last two seasons and 21 in the Div. I era.

A two-time all-WAC selection, Ayers started at second base, shortstop and in the outfield during his time at Sacramento State. He leaves the program as the career leader in at-bats (782), is second in career hits (228), tied for second in career runs (128), third in career doubles (46) and fourth in career RBIs (123).

"Andrew's been a big part of the turnaround of this program because of all the hard work he puts in on and off the field," Sacramento State head coach Reggie Christiansen said. "He's a great story of a walk-on who earned a scholarship and became an everyday player because of working hard."

As a junior, the Eureka, Calif., native was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year. That season, he hit .336 with 74 hits including 16 doubles, two triples and three home runs. He also drove in 31 runs and scored 36 while helping the Hornets to their first WAC regular season title in school history.

This past season, Ayers started all 55 games in which he appeared and captained the team to its second consecutive 30-win season. He hit .298 with 64 hits and scored 41 runs. Ayers tied for the team lead with 10 home runs and led the team with 47 RBIs. Following the year, he was named second team all-WAC.