From SE Sports Information

   Southeastern center fielder Justin Miller and pitcher Heath Wyatt were taken in the Major League Base­ball’s first player draft last week.

   In the 30th round on Tuesday, June 7, the San Diego Padres selected Miller, while the St. Louis Cardinals selected Wyatt in the 33rd round on Wednesday, June 8.

   “It’s a dream come true,” said Miller. “Every kid grows up playing this game with one dream and that’s to play at the big stadiums one day.”

   Miller, a native of Sumner, Texas, was an All-Amer­ica selection by Daktronics and the American Base­ball Coaches Association following the 2011 season, as well as earning first team all-Lone Star Conference and all-region honors.

   “I think being drafted by the padres is great,” Miller continued. “It’s great for Southeastern being this was Lane Deckers alma mater and he could draft someone out of SE.”

   “The Southeastern baseball program is extremely hap­py that Justin Miller was drafted by the San Diego Pa­dres,” said head coach Mike Metheny.

   “Miller has led our team the past two seasons with his tremendous hustle and hard work. Justin has a great baseball personality and I am sure he is looking forward to this opportunity in professional baseball.”

   He was the 923rd draft pick overall and fifth out­fielder selected by the Padres, but the only center fielder thus far.

   Miller led the Storm with a .433 batting average, collecting 87 hits with 21 doubles, two triples and a team-high of 11 home runs.

   He also added 47 RBI as well as 26 stolen bases.

   He slugged .721 on the season and posted an on-base percentage of .551 and scored 72 runs on the year.

   The Savage Storm finished the year at 35-19 with a Lone Star Conference Championship and the school’s fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament.

   “Playing here at SE got me ready for this in many ways,” said Miller, “One huge reason was experience. Coming to SE allowed me to play every day and work to get better day in and day out. I also feel the com­petition level was really good and prepared me for what’s to come next.”

   Wyatt, a senior from Searcy, Ark., was a two-time first team All-American for the Savage Storm.

   “Heath Wyatt had an amazing career for us the past 2 seasons. His presence in the bullpen gave us tre­mendous confidence when the game was on the line. Statistically he was awesome, but he when he entered the game – early or late, we had the feeling we were in control,” said Metheny.

   “With his uncanny delivery, I expect him to be very successful in his professional career.”