BLUE JAYS DRAFT SPILLE

Southeast Missouri State University left-hander Ryan Spille was selected Wednesday in the 19th round of the baseball amateur draft.

Spille, 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds, just completed his senior season at Southeast with a 10-4 record.

"I'm so excited. I couldn't be happier," said Spille. "I was hoping but I really couldn't be sure. Last year there was a lot of talk about me getting drafted and it never happened."

He was named the OVC Pitcher of the Year his junior season after transferring from Rend Lake College. In his two seasons at Southeast he compiled a 21-6 record.

He holds the Southeast record for strikeouts in a season with 130 and is in the top three in career wins and career strikeouts.

"I struggled my last few outings this year and it really had me concerned," he said. "I was really surprised it happened (the first day.) This has been my dream ever since I was 6 or 7 years old."

Spille had yet to work out details of a contract as of Wednesday night.

The draft lasts through Friday with the possibility of a couple more Indian players be taken. Teams have expressed interest in both center fielder Jeremy Johnson and shortstop Steve Lowe.