Pennlive.com Story
KYW News Radio Podcast
Philadelphia Inquirer
NEW YORK - West Chester University junior right-handed pitcher Joe Gunkel was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 18th round (533rd pick) of the 2013 MLB First-Year Entry Draft Saturday afternoon.
Gunkel is the fourth Golden Rams baseball player to be drafted in the last seven years. Left-handed pitcher Frank Gailey was a 23rd-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2007, Bob Stumpo, was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 33rd round in 2010 and Joe Wendle was taken by the Cleveland Indians in the sixth round last June. All three are still active in the minor leagues.
Gunkel is the 29th West Chester University player selected in the major league baseball draft since its inception in 1965 and the first right-hand pitcher taken since Joe Turek in 1987. Since the draft was implemented, three former Golden Rams have reached the major leagues. Lance Clemons was picked in the seventh round of the 1967 draft while Pat Kelly was a ninth-round pick by the New York Yankees in 1988, and Mabry was a sixth-rounder by the Cardinals in 1991.
The Golden Rams' No. 1 starter this past spring finished the year 7-4 in 11 starts with a 2.44 ERA. He threw 77.1 innings, giving up 21 earned runs and 62 base hits. He walked 11 and struck out 76. He registered five shutouts and nine complete games in 2013. Opposing batters hit just .212 against him.
In four career college playoff games, Gunkel is 4-0 with a 0.25 ERA. He allowed 18 hits and walked just five batters in 36 postseason innings. The Hershey, Pa., native pitched three straight shutouts in the playoffs, dating back to 2012, while authoring a postseason consecutive scoreless innings streak of 30 frames.
He threw a complete-game shutout in the 2012 NCAA Division II National Championship Game, leading West Chester to a 9-0 win over Delta State. He was named the tournament's most valuable player after going 2-0 and tossing a pair of complete-game shutouts at the Division II national finals. He took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a 4-0 win over Chico State (Calif.) in the opener of the national finals in Cary, N.C. last year.
"Joe has had an incredible run the last couple of years," West Chester head coach Jad Prachniak said. "He has pitched his best in the biggest games and has helped elevate our program to a new level. He exemplifies everything you want in a student-athlete.
"Joe has earned everything he accomplished through hard work and dedication. Being drafted is the ultimate reward for his dedication."
Gunkel ranks seventh all-time at West Chester University in wins with 21. He did that in just three seasons with the Golden Rams. He is the first underclassman to be drafted out of West Chester University since John Mabry was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth round in 1991.
