For the second straight season, McNeese is sending a pitcher into the professional ranks, as closer Cameron Foster was picked by the New York Mets in the 14th round of the Major League Baseball draft on Tuesday.

Also picked was Leesville graduate Johnathan Harmon of Northwestern State, who was picked in the 13th round by the Cincinnati Reds.

Foster said he was not sure what to expect heading into the draft.

“I thought that I would get picked but didn’t know when or where,” he said. “I got a few phone calls Monday from teams showing interest but they all fell through.”

At McNeese, he starred as a closer, winning the Southland Conference’s Relief Pitcher of the Year award this year.

This past season, Foster earned ABCA All-America honors and led the league in six different categories including saves (12), ERA (1.86), strikeouts (84), batting average against (.164), hits allowed (35), runs allowed (17), and ranked second in the conference in walks allowed (20).

His 12 saves this season tied a single-season school record which has been held by Jordan LeGros and set in 2011.

He ended his McNeese career ranked second all-time with 18 saves.

At 6-5, 230, he possesses the ideal frame for a starting pitcher.

“I’m super pumped, excited and ready to get to work,” he said. “They said I could start or relieve, they are going to see what they can do with me.

“I’m going to work hard and hopefully my offspeed stuff plays higher up and I’m excited to learn more stuff.”

Foster’s former teammate, Will Dion, was drafted by Cleveland last year.

“I talked with him through the whole draft process,” Foster said. “I’m sure we’ll be in more contact as I start my career.”

Foster said his time at McNeese was crucial to his development.

“It was great, I’m a completely different pitcher than when I walked into McNeese,” he said. “I’m glad it all happened and I became the pitcher I am.”

Harmon went 5-6 this season with a 3.52 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 79 innings pitched.

Barbe infielder/pitcher Gavin Guidry and Rosepine catcher Ethan Frey both went undrafted despite being ranked in the top 200 prospects.

Each has signed to play college baseball at LSU.