By Jeffrey Messman
New York, N.Y. – Lynn University pitcher Tommy Kahnle was drafted by the defending World Series Champion New York Yankees in the fifth round, 175th overall, of the 2010 Major League Baseball amateur draft held recently.
Kahnle, a draft eligible sophomore, becomes baseball’s highest selected Fighting Knight in program history.
In his two years with the Blue and White, Kahnle helped lift the Knights to unprecedented heights. The Latham, N.Y., native powered LU on the mound in relief to the 2009 NCAA Division II National Championship and was named the South Region and National Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
He posted a 1-0 record, five saves, 0.00 earned-run average and 12 strikeouts in 12.2 innings of work in the post-season as a redshirt freshman.
As a sophomore, Kahnle returned in a starting role and led the Knights in ERA, strikeouts and opponent’s batting average. He tossed the program’s third no-hitter, the first in 11 years and second by just one pitcher, with a 7-0 victory over Saint Leo on March 13. He struck out seven batters in the win.
Kahnle becomes the highest drafted Knight in LU’s baseball’s program history with his selection in the fifth round.
Previous selections include pitcher Nolan Mulligan in the 26th round by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007, outfielder Gabe MacDougall in the 27th round by the Kansas City Royals in 2009 and infielder Beau McMillan in the 39th round by the Florida Marlins.