June 5, 2003

VILLANOVA, PA. - On Wednesday, June 4th, Villanova University baseball standouts James Russell (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena High School) and Adrian Schau (Novato, Calif./Marin Catholic College Prep) were each selected on day two of the 2003 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. Russell was drafted in the 25th round, 747th overall, by the Montreal Expos. Schau was selected in the 40th round, 1188th overall, by the Cleveland Indians. It is the second consecutive year that at least two Wildcat baseball players have been chosen in the annual MLB Draft.

A senior right-handed pitcher, Russell (6'7", 240) was Villanova's closer for the majority of his career and an outstanding one at that. He made headlines as a junior in 2002 when he finished the season with 15 saves and was named a third team All-American by the NCBWA and a second team All-Big East performer. Russell's 15 saves broke the school's record for saves in a season, and he ended his career in 2003 as the Wildcat baseball program's all-time save leader with 17.

Schau (Jr., 6'1", 195) has been a two-way player for Villanova since his sophomore season in 2002, but was drafted by the Indians as a pitcher. He was a regular in the lineup as an outfielder/designated hitter in each of the last two years for the `Cats, as well as serving as one of the team's top right-handed pitchers in both a starting and a relief role. This past season, Schau was 2-5 with one save and a 4.83 ERA, striking out 35 and walked only 15 in 31.2 innings of work. For his career, Schau owns a 9-6 overall record to go along with three saves.

"It is extremely important and exciting for the Villanova Baseball Program because not only does it show the quality of the players that we have on the current team, but we also had three other players coming into the program from the high school ranks drafted over the past two years and that says a lot about our recruiting efforts as well," said Villanova head coach Joe Godri. "I am really excited about James Russell getting drafted because he had a trying senior season after coming off a tremendous junior season in which in my opinion he was the best closer in country. James got an opportunity he deserves and he earned, and from a coach's perspective that has to make you feel really good."

"Adrian Schau is and has been probably our top pro prospect as a pitcher since Brian Slocum, who also got taken by the Indians. He had some outstanding performances early in the year and I know the Indians were very high on him. He hit a bump in road with a couple injuries late in the year which may have kept him from going a lot higher. We are looking for him to come back for his senior year, have another outstanding season, and get drafted much higher next time around."