University of Massachusets Athletics
Chown Drafted By Atlanta Braves
June 04, 2003 | Baseball
June 4, 2003
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts junior righthanded pitcher Eric Chown (Fall River, Mass.) has been selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 38th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The Braves took Chown with the final pick of the 38th round, making him the 1,147th player chosen overall.
Chown went 7-4 on the season, with a 4.25 earned run average and 49 strikeouts in 72 innings pitched, to lead the team in victories, strikeouts and innings. He threw six complete games in 12 starts this year, while also posting one save in two relief appearances. Chown was particularly effective against Atlantic 10 Conference opponents, going 6-1 with a 2.74 earned run average and 31 strikeouts in 46 innings. Over the course of his UMass career, Chown now has 15 victories and 111 strikeouts in 180-1/3 innings pitched.
If Chown signs, he will become the 31st Minuteman to sign a professional contract during Mike Stone's 16-year tenure as the head coach at UMass, on a list which includes Gary DiSarcina, Chad Paronto and Ron Villone. The last Minuteman to be drafted was outfielder Nick Gorneault, who was selected by the Anaheim Angels in the 19th round of the 2001 draft, and is currently playing in Class A Rancho Cucamonga.
Chown led UMass to an overall record of 26-19 during the 2003 season. The Minutemen won the Atlantic 10 East Division title with a 14-7 record, then finished as the runner-up in the 2003 Atlantic 10 Tournament.
