Spartanburg, S.C. – Coming off an impressive showing against Stetson in the A-Sun Tournament two weeks ago, USC Upstate standout left-handed pitcher Scott DeCecco has been selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 21^st round of the Major League Baseball Draft Wednesday afternoon.

DeCecco, a junior from Cape May Courthouse, N.J., was the 641^st selection in the first-year player draft, coming in the 21^st round. He was the 22^nd player taken by the Mariners. He will join two other Spartans as current members of MLB organizations in 2012. Bradley Blanks (2005-07) is currently pitching for the Single-A Brevard County Manatees in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, while Matt Branham (2006-10) is in High-A ball with the Fort Wayne Tin Caps in the San Diego Padres organization. DeCecco is the eighth player in the last eight years to play for head coach Matt Fincher to be either drafted or sign with an MLB organization.

DeCecco had a standout season for Upstate, helping the Spartans reach new heights in the history of the program. He went 5-3 with a 3.95 ERA to help Upstate finish second in the A-Sun and earn the No. 2 seed in the A-Sun Tournament in the program's first year of eligibility in the event. He helped pace the Spartans to a Division I era-best 33 wins, just three victories shy of the all-time school record. He held opponents to a .272 batting average for the year.

DeCecco may have saved his best outing for his last. He was simply magnificent in his start in the A-Sun Tournament in late-May. In a win-or-go-home situation, he put the Spartans on his back. He tossed 8 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on six hits with five strikeouts against Stetson. However, the Hatters took the 1-0 win to move on in the tournament. Still, in what was most likely his last start in an Upstate uniform, DeCecco was simply outstanding.