David Wendt (Methuen, MA) was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft on Thursday afternoon. Wendt was the 1,519th overall selection, being picked in the 50th and final round of the draft.

Wendt, a four year starter behind the plate for the Golden Lions, batted .299 with 12 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs, 28 RBI's and 21 stolen bases to help lead Dowling to their first ever appearance in the NCAA Division II College World Series in his senior year. A outstanding backstop with great catch and throw abilities, he also gunned down attempted base stealers at a 42 % clip in 2009.

Wendt, a three time ECC All-Conference Second Team selection, finishes his Dowling career in the top 10 on the program's all-time records list for hits, RBI's, at-bats, doubles, triples, and stolen bases.

This is the third time in four years and fourth time in program history that a Dowling College Baseball player has been selected in the MLB Draft. Wendt joins Wilberto Ortiz (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 2006), Billy Mottram (Chicago Cubs, 2007),  and Christian "Kip" Roggendorf (Toronto Blue Jays, 1993) as Golden Lions to be drafted to the Minor Leagues.

Drafted by the defending American League champion Tampa Bay Rays, Wendt will be assigned to one of their minor league affiliates in the coming days.

-Provided by Dowling Sports Information department.