College Notebook
3 Blue Devils selected in MLB draft
Duke sophomore outfielder Jimmy Herron was selected by the New York Yankees in the 31st round (No. 932 overall) of the 2017 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft on Wednesday. First baseman Justin Bellinger was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 22nd round.
Herron, one of three Blue Devils to start every game in 2017, followed his freshman All-America season with another standout campaign this past year. Herron led the team in batting average (.326), doubles (17), runs (53), hits (74) and stolen bases (17). In addition, Herron drove in 39 RBI and knocked five home runs.
In two seasons at Duke, Herron owns a .325 batting average, good for 12th in the school’s all-time records. Herron also ranks 13th in school history with 41 career stolen bases.
Herron and Bellinger are the second and third Blue Devils drafted this year, joining James Ziemba, who was drafted in the 22nd round by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Herron is the first Duke outfielder drafted since 2009, when the Boston Red Sox chose Alex Hassan. Herron is the 14th Blue Devil drafted under head coach Chris Pollard.
Wake Forest: A program record eight Demon Deacons were selected in the MLB Draft, which took place Monday to Wednesday. After the second-round selections of Stuart Fairchild and Gavin Sheets on Monday, Parker Dunshee and Ben Breazeale each went in the seventh round on Tuesday. Wednesday selections included Donnie Sellers, Jonathan Pryor, Connor Johnstone and Griffin Roberts.
N.C. State: The Wolfpack had seven players selected on the final day of the MLB Draft. Evan Mendoza, Josh McLain, Andy Cosgrove, Tommy DeJuneas, Brock Deatherage, Cody Beckman and Tim Naughton were chosen in the annual event.
ECU: Senior Travis Watkins has been named Third-Team All-America by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, the organization announced Wednesday. With his selection, Watkins becomes the 28th All-American in school history and the third under ECU head coach Cliff Godwin.
Elon: With the 23rd pick in the 18th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, the Toronto Blue Jays selected Elon senior left-handed pitcher Jordan Barrett. He was the 549th player chosen overall.
Men’s tennis
N.C. State: Kyle Spencer has been selected to lead the men’s tennis program, director of athletics Debbie Yow said Wednesday. Spencer, a former Olympian and All-American, comes to the Wolfpack after more than four seasons as an assistant coach at Southern Methodist University. Spencer also had ACC head coaching experience at Maryland.
Track and field
Campbell: Joan Maritim and Amon Terer have been named the Big South Track & Field Male and Female Runners of the Year, the league office said Wednesday. The duo combined for 10 Big South titles during the three competition seasons of the 2016-17 year.
Women’s golf
Campbell: Swedish standout Isabell Ekstrom will join coach John Crooks’ two-time defending Big South Conference champion Camels this season.
From news releases
This story was originally published June 14, 2017 at 11:30 PM with the headline "College Notebook."