GIANTS DRAFT FORMER SIKESTON HURLER VENT

Former Sikeston High baseball standout Kevin Vent saw his performance slip a bit during his senior season at the University of Arkansas -- but he apparently did not slip at all in the eyes of professional scouts.

Vent, a right-handed pitcher, was taken in the eighth round of this week's major league baseball amateur draft. He was selected by the San Francisco Giants with the 258th overall pick.

After graduating from Sikeston, Vent pitched two seasons at Mineral Area College in Park Hills before transferring to Arkansas. As a junior last year, Vent had a sensational season, going 5-0 with three saves and a 2.77 earned-run average.

Vent's numbers slipped some this year as he went 3-3 with four saves and a 5.28 ERA. In 58 innings, he allowed 57 hits while striking out 61 and walking 39.

McDowell Capahas manager Jess Bolen -- Vent pitched for Cape Girardeau's summer baseball team in the past -- said he was not surprised that Vent is so highly thought of by pro scouts.

"I'm a little surprised he went that high, but I thought he'd be drafted," Bolen said. "He can bring it up there 90 (miles per hour) plus and that's what the scouts look for."

* The 50-round draft, which started Wednesday, concluded Thursday. Left-handed pitcher Ryan Spille, taken in the 19th round by Toronto Wednesday, was the only Southeast Missouri State University player selected.

Southeast center fielder Jeremy Johnson and shortstop Steve Lowe were also thought to be under consideration but were not drafted.

* The Ohio Valley Conference was well represented in the draft, with six players other than Spille being selected.

Jon Rauch, a 6-foot-10 right-handed pitcher from Morehead State, was the OVC's top pick, going to the Chicago White Sox in the third round. He was the 99th overall selection.

Another Morehead hurler, right-hander Rick Cercy, went to Colorado in the 13th round.

Other OVC players taken were Eastern Illinois right-handed pitcher John Larson (17th round, Minnesota); Eastern Illinois right-handed pitcher Matt Gage (20th round, Oakland); Middle Tennessee left-handed pitcher Aaron Barnett (22nd round, Detroit); and Austin Peay outfielder Pat O'Sullivan (34th round, New York Mets).

* The University of Missouri had three players -- all pitchers -- taken: righty Ryan Jamison (17th round, Houston); lefty Justin Stine (22nd round, Toronto); and righty Chris George (25th round, Houston).

* The first player from a Missouri school drafted was Southwest Missouri State's slugging outfielder, Matt Cepicky. He went to Montreal in the fourth round.