Hempstead, NY - Hofstra first baseman/outfielder Ethan Paquette was selected during the final day of the 2010 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft. Paquette was chosen by the Seattle Mariners in the 35th round of the draft (1,062 overall).

Paquette became the seventh Hofstra player drafted since the inception of the draft in 1965, joining past Hofstra draftees Bill Cheslock (1966, 32nd round, Cardinals), three-time MLB All-Star Ken Singleton (1967 January Draft, 1st round, 3rd overall, Mets), Donald Ruris (1967, 30th round, Athletics), Pat Wallace (1982, 26th round, Cardinals), Mike Miller (1995, 29th round, Tigers) and Ricky Caputo (2006, 24th round, Nationals).

"I am very excited for Ethan," said Hofstra Baseball Coach Patrick Anderson. "He has worked hard to get to this point and I am glad that he will have an opportunity to play at the professional level. This is also a great day for our program and we hope that we can send more players on to the next level in the future."

Paquette (West Burke, VT) excelled in his only season with the Pride after transferring from Vermont following the discontinuation of the Catamounts program. Paquette split time between first base and right field in 2010 and hit .371 with a team-leading 76 hits, 19 doubles, 14 home runs and 70 RBIs. His 70 RBIs established a new Hofstra single-season record and he was named to the All-CAA first team. Combined with his three years at Vermont, Paquette played in 204 career games and posted a .308 average, 24 home runs, 49 doubles, 116 runs and 175 RBIs.

"When I saw my name come up, I couldn't believe it," said Paquette. "I was watching the draft tracker with a friend and it was slow to update, so before I saw it I actually got a call from Ryan Radke (Pride teammate) congratulating me and I was shocked. I knew the Mariners were interested and I am glad to be getting a chance to play at the next level. I have to thank my parents for everything that they have done for me. I also would like to thank Coach Anderson for getting my name out and for getting the scouts to come and take a look. I also need to thank Assistant Coach John Russo for keeping me in mind when Vermont dropped its program and Assistant Coach Kelly Haynes for really pushing me during the offseason. I also need to thank former Vermont Coach Bill Currier for giving me the start to my college career. I truly appreciate all of the things that everyone has done to help me reach this point."

In addition to Paquette, Hofstra signee Logan Davis (son of 1989 Cy Young Award winner Mark Davis) was drafted in the 38th round by Colorado out of Cactus Shadows High School in Arizona.

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