Friedrich becomes second OVC player picked in draft's first round

It's always a lot of fun to follow the Major League Baseball draft, and the 2008 edition conducted last week had some angles that held quite a bit of interest for area sports fans.

Topping the list was the first-round selection of Eastern Kentucky junior left-hander Christian Friedrich, who went to the Colorado Rockies with the 25th pick overall.

Friedrich is only the second baseball player in Ohio Valley Conference history to be drafted in the first round, joining fellow lefty Drew Hall of Morehead State, who was the third overall pick of the Chicago Cubs in 1984.

Friedrich, the OVC pitcher of the year, displayed his considerable talents to Southeast Missouri State baseball fans May 10, during the opener of a doubleheader at Capaha Field.

Working in front of about 15 professional scouts, Friedrich allowed one hit — an infield single — and struck out 13 in eight innings.

I know several people who attended that game solely to check out Friedrich, who already was being touted as a likely first-round pick. I didn't talk to anybody who was not impressed.

I interviewed Friedrich after the doubleheader and he came across as personable, humble and polite, exactly the kind of guy I like to root for.

It will be neat following Friedrich's pro career after he spent the past three years as one of the OVC's dominant hurlers.

I'm sure it also will be neat for Southeast hitters to know they won't have to face Friedrich next season.

The OVC had one other fairly high draft pick as Samford junior shortstop Michael Marseco went to the Brewers in the 11th round, No. 338 overall.

Marseco, the OVC co-player of the year, also put on a show in Cape Girardeau when the Bulldogs played a three-game series at Southeast.

While Friedrich definitely plans to sign and skip his senior collegiate season, I haven't heard if Marseco has made a decision yet.

Four other OVC players were drafted: Eastern Kentucky infielder Tyler Barnett in the 21st round by the Braves, Jacksonville State pitcher Justin King in the 30th round by the Rangers, Tennessee Tech outfielder Jake New in the 36th round by the Dodgers and Austin Peay outfielder Rafael Hill in the 47th round by the Rangers.

Meanwhile, the University of Missouri had its highest-ever draft pick as Big 12 Conference pitcher of the year Aaron Crow was taken ninth by the Nationals.

Crow is one of two MU players ever to be selected in the first round of the draft, joining Max Scherzer, who was taken 11th by the Diamondbacks in 2006. Scherzer already has reached the big leagues.

An MU player with local ties, senior outfielder Jacob Priday, went in the 11th round to the Astros, No. 332 overall.

Priday, the Tigers' career leader in home runs and RBIs, is a Sikeston High School product who graduated the same year as Blake DeWitt, the Dodgers' starting third baseman.

Southern Illinois junior pitcher Cody Adams was drafted in the second round by the Brewers as the 62nd overall pick.

Scott City High School senior pitcher/first baseman Ryan Modglin went in the 39th round to the Royals.

Another prep player from not too far away, Anna-Jonesboro (Ill.) outfielder Lucas Hileman, was taken in the 37th round by the Braves.

*

Speaking of Missouri's baseball team, Jackson High School graduate Rex Meyr saw some action this year for the Tigers, who qualified for their sixth straight NCAA regional.

Meyr, a freshman, primarily was used as a pinch-runner and pinch-hitter. He played in 20 games and made one start, in center field against Toledo on March 15.

Meyr had four hits in 11 at-bats (.364 average), including a double. He scored four runs, drove in five and stole three bases while being caught just once.

*

According to the University of North Dakota's Web site, Southeast assistant baseball coach Jeff Dodson is one of two finalists for the school's vacant baseball head coaching position.

Dodson will be interviewed on campus Tuesday, with UCLA assistant Matt Jones being interviewed Thursday.

Dodson, Southeast's pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, recently completed his fifth season with the Redhawks.

North Dakota has been a Division II program, but is in the process of moving up to Division I.

*

Former Southeast assistant women's basketball coach Franqua Bedell recently was hired as an assistant at Mississippi State.

Bedell spent last season as head coach and interim athletic director at Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg, Ill. He led the Falcons to a 32-4 record and a berth in the national junior college tournament.

The previous year, Bedell was an assistant at SIC under Greg Franklin, who left to become an assistant at Mississippi State, where the two now will be reunited on the staff.

Bedell was on B.J. Smith's staff at Southeast for two seasons, in 2003-04 and 2004-05.

*

Any former Capahas wanting to take the field for the first time in a while — you'll get your chance.

The Plaza Tire Capahas will hold an old-timers game Saturday at 7 p.m.

Jess Bolen said he is inviting anybody who has played for the Capahas since he began as manager 42 years ago, with the exception of those who played in very recent years.

Any ex-Capahas wishing to participate should call Rick Wieser at 335-1335, Darrick Smith at 334-4453 or Bruce Qualls at 204-1962.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian