Mercyhurst College juniors David Lough and Brian Espersen were each selected in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. Lough, a center fielder, was chosen by the Kansas City Royals in the 11th round (336th overall), while Espersen, a pitcher, was an 18th round pick (561st overall) by the Houston Astros.

The duo are the first Lakers drafted into the pros since Nate Goodrich in 2000 and the ninth and tenth Mercyhurst players in program history.

Lough is the highest player drafted in school history, surpassing Pat Cutshall's 17th round selection in the 1997 draft and was the highest player selected out of a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) institution in this year's draft. Espersen was the second GLIAC player drafted in this year's draft.

"This is one of the proudest days of my coaching career," said Mercyhurst Head Coach Joe Spano. "Not only are both of them great athletes, but are also great people, students and pleasures to coach."

Mercyhurst had two players drafted in the same year once before, in 1997 when Cutshall and Bob Balazentis (Kansas City, Round 30) were picked.

The honor capped a stellar junior season in which Lough, an Akron, Ohio native, earned a pair of All-American honors. He was tabbed a third team All-Amercian by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and added an honorable mention selection by Daktronics.

Earlier this spring, Lough was chosen to the Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association All-North Central Region First Team, as well as the Daktronics first team. He was also named to the All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) first team and was selected as a Preseason All-American.

Espersen, from Dunkirk, New York, was a 2007 Daktronics All-North Central Region second team pick, and was also on the All-GLIAC second team.

In 2007, Lough tied the school season hit mark with 74 and led the team in 12 offensive categories: batting average (.404), slugging percentage (.789), on base percentage (.477), runs (52), hits (74), RBIs (49), doubles (16), triples (6), home runs (8), extra base hits (34), total bases (126), stolen bases (23). He finished sixth in the GLIAC in batting, third in slugging percentage, sixth in on base percentage, fourth in runs scored, tied for second in hits, fourth in RBIs, tied second in doubles, first in triples, fifth in home runs, second in total bases, tied for fourth in hit by pitch, and tied for second in stolen bases.

Lough also posted a 16-game hitting streak. He started all 52 games in centerfield, posted a team-high 20 multi-hit games: 11 two-hit games, six three-hit games, two four-hit games and a five-hit game. Lough also had 14 multi-RBI games, including two with four RBIs. He scored five runs in a win over Gannon on April 9, and notched five hits on March 11 in a win at Salem International. In leadoff situations, the junior reached base 13 times in 20 opportunities for a team-high .650 percentage and had a team-leading .612 success rate advancing runners. Lough also was third on the team in walks (19), second in HBP (8), and tied for third in sac bunts (6). Lough finished just two doubles and two triples shy of school season records in those categories.

In addition to his exploits on the baseball diamond, Lough, an accounting major, also played football for Head Coach Marty Schaetzle as a wide receiver, kick/punt returner, place kicker, punter.

"This is an unbelievable experience," said Lough. "Coach Spano told me from day one he thought I could play pro ball and I never really believed it until today. The best decision I ever made was to come to Mercyhurst to play for both Coach Spano and Coach Schaetzle."

Lough was also named to the All-North Central and All-GLIAC first teams in 2006 and earned each a GLIAC and ECAC Player of the Week honor that season.

In just three seasons, he ranks prominently in the Laker record books. Lough ranks fifth in batting average (.383), fourth in slugging percentage (.590), second in on-base percentage (.445), fourth in hits (202), third in doubles (41), is tied for fourth in home runs (16), is fifth in RBIs (126), sixth in runs (138), is tied for eighth in triples (10), and second in stolen bases (60).

Espersen, an HRIM major, led the team in innings pitched (60.0) and strikeouts (69). He also tied for the team lead with five wins and 10 starts. Espersen was second in the GLIAC in K/9 (10.35), ninth in ERA (3.15), fifth in opposing batting average (.230), fifth in strikeouts, tied for seventh in strikeouts looking, fourth in fewest hits allowed. His 20 batters struck out looking were a team-best. The righty tossed a complete game in his first start of the year, going nine innings with eight Ks and just five hits allowed - no walks - against Wheeling Jesuit. Espersen struck out 15 in a complete game win in his next start against Lewis, and allowed just five hits and no walks. He threw six shutout innings at Wayne State, fanning eight and allowing just three hits and three walks.

"This is the most exciting day of my life," said Espersen. "I am extremely happy to have this opportunity."

He ranks third in career ERA at Mercyhurst (3.00) and strikeouts (146.. He is also tied for fifth in career shutouts (2).

Both players are currently playing for the Florence RedWolves of the Coastal Plain league, a wood bat summer college league in the southeastern United States, that attracts players from - among other conferences - the ACC and SEC. Lough had two homers through the first six contests, while Espersen tossed a no-hitter in his second start.

Two Lakers in school history has reach the major leagues. John Costello, a 24th round pick by St. Louis in 1983, pitched for the Cardinals, Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres from 1988-1991. David Lee, the Colorado Rockies' 23 rd round pick in 1995, pitched for Colorado, the Sand Diego Padres and the Cleveland Indians from 1999-2004.

Mercyhurst finished the 2007 season with a 32-20 record and a 17-11 mark in the GLIAC.