Sonoma State University sports update June 1-13. Two players selected in MLB draft; water polo stars named All-Americans; SSU great Andrew Bailey returns to men's soccer team.
Baseball
Two Players Selected for MLB Draft
Former Sonoma State University baseball student-athletes Ryan O'Malley and Ryan Luna have become the 42nd and 43rd players Sonoma State University history to be selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
O'Malley, who spent one year in the Seawolf uniform, was selected by the Atlanta Braves on Saturday in the 25th round as the 739th overall pick. Luna, who spent the past two seasons in the Seawolf uniform, was selected by the Colorado Rockies on Saturday in the 28th round as the 830th overall pick. They are the first SSU players since Harmen Sidhu in 2013 to be drafted by a MLB organization.
In 2016, O'Malley proved to be one of the most dangerous hitters in the region, leading the team in slugging percentage (.557), runs scored (35), hits (59), runs batted in (32), doubles (14), triples (2), home runs (7), total bases (91), multiple-hit games (17), reached-base streak (18), and walks (34), and was second on the team in batting average (.335). O'Malley is the fifth SSU player to be drafted or signed by the Atlanta in the history of the program, and the fourth since head coach John Goelz took over the team in 1986.
A right-handed pitcher from Corcoran, Calif., Luna posted the best ERA among Sonoma State starting pitchers this season at 3.05, going 4-4 with 57 strikeouts in 62.0 innings. In his career as a Seawolf, Luna was 8-9 with a 3.13 ERA that included a no-hitter in a game last season. He is the first SSU player to be drafted or signed by Colorado.Eleven former Seawolves are currently active in professional baseball.
Women's Water Polo
Herrera, Lewis Named to ACWPC Div. II All-America Team
Sonoma State University seniors Noelle Herrera and Kaysie Lewis were named to the 2016 Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Division II All-America Team. Herrera, now a three-time ACWPC All-America First Team selection, becomes just the 11th student-athlete in the history of Sonoma State athletics to earn All-America honors at least three times in a career. Herrera wraps up her career as the water polo program's first four-time All-WWPA honoree. Lewis earned ACWPC All-America honors for the first time in her career with a Second Team distinction. Sonoma State compiled a 13-14 record in 2016, finishing third in the WWPA and matching its best finish in the conference since the program's inception in 2004.
Men's Soccer
Sonoma State Great Andrew Bailey Joins Men's Soccer Staff
Sonoma State's all-time leader in goals scored, Andrew Bailey, has joined the SSU men's soccer coaching staff for the 2016 season. Bailey was inducted into the SSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015 and is the program's all-time leader in goals scored (52) and points (126). He also ranks 6th all-time with 22 assists and he has played in more games in an SSU uniform (92) than anyone in the school's history. Over his career, the Seawolves won four CCAA North Division titles and reached the NCAA Tournament twice.
"Andrew will be a great addition to the SSU men's soccer staff," said head coach Marcus Ziemer. "Not only was a he a great player, but he has also developed into an outstanding coach. I am looking forward to working with him again."
Following his graduation from Sonoma State, Bailey spent time as a player and coach in Holland. Upon his return to the United States, he continued coaching and is currently the Director of Coaching for North Bay Elite FC.