June 8, 2004

VILLANOVA, PA. - On Tuesday, June 8th, Villanova University baseball players Adrian Schau (Novato, Calif./ Marin Catholic College Prep) and Mike Ciccotelli (White Plains, N.Y./ Iona Prep) were each selected on day two of the 2004 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. A senior right-handed pitcher, Schau was selected in the 27th round, 797th overall, by the Cleveland Indians. Ciccotelli, a senior left-handed pitcher, was chosen in the 29th round, 873rd overall, by the Seattle Mariners. This marks the third consecutive year in which head coach Joe Godri's Wildcats have had at least two players chosen in the MLB Draft.

This is the second consecutive season in which Schau was drafted by the Cleveland organization. The Indians chose him in the 40th round of the 2003 Draft, 1188th overall, but he chose to bypass the professional ranks at that time and return to Villanova for his senior season. Schau was a two-way player for Villanova in 2004 and had his most successful season. He started at first base for the `Cats this season and also served as the team's closer out of the bullpen. On the mound, he led the Wildcats in saves (6) and ERA (1.57). He also finished fifth overall in the Big East Conference in saves. In addition, Schau struck out 26 and walked just eight batters in 23.0 innings of work. At the plate, he led the team in batting (.330) and doubles (13). In 176 at-bats, Schau posted 58 hits, 38 runs scored, 13 doubles, six home runs and 30 RBI.

Schau ended the 2004 season on a high note being named Villanova University's Male Senior Student-Athlete of the Year, as well as earning Big East Conference Player of the Week honors for the season's final week.

"Adrian (Schau) is a player than wore many hats for us during his career," said head coach Joe Godri. "During his career, he was an infielder, outfielder, designated hitter, starter and closer. And I am not so sure that he wouldn't have been able to be a prospect offensively as well if he was able to concentrate on that. I am thrilled that the Indians selected him not only because they took him last year, but because they have a history of taking and developing Villanova players as they did with Brian Slocum. I know they will give him the opportunity to succeed."

Ciccotelli also wound down his career in fine fashion putting together an outstanding senior season. The Wildcat left-hander went 2-0 with four saves and a 2.36 ERA. In 26.2 innings, Ciccotelli allowed just seven earned runs on 25 hits, striking out 30 and walking 15. He finished the 2004 season tied for eighth in the Big East in appearances (22) and tied for ninth in the conference in saves (4). In conference play this year, Ciccotelli registered a 1.72 ERA.

Mike Ciccotelli, a senior left-handed pitcher, was chosen in the 29th round, 873rd overall, by the Seattle Mariners.

"I am as excited for Mike (Ciccotelli) as I have ever been for a player drafted," said Godri. "I know how badly he wanted it. He didn't have an easy time at Villanova and it took him a while to find a role with the club; but when he did he was as good as anybody in the Big East coming out of the bullpen. Mike will give himself the best opportunity to succeed in professional baseball. He is a hard nose kid who through time at Villanova found out how to battle through the game of baseball."

Schau and Ciccotelli helped the Villanova baseball program to a magnificent turnaround in 2004. The Wildcats recorded a 31-20-1 overall record this season - 17 more wins than Villanova had in 2003 when the `Cats tallied a 14-32 mark. Villanova also finished sixth in the Big East with an 11-14 record in 2004 - up four spots from last year's 10th place (6-19) finish.

Both players graduated from Villanova in May 2004 - Schau with a degree in finance and Ciccotelli with a degree in liberal arts.

"It is a strong testament to the quality of players that we have both on the field talent-wise and off the field character-wise that has allowed Villanova to see players have success in Major League Baseball Draft," said Godri. "Professional teams know what they will get out of a Villanova University player - a player that is mature, handles himself in a professional manner and works as hard as he can to become the player he wants to be."

"Over the past three years, six of the eight players that we have had drafted have been pitchers," added Godri. "That speaks to the level of our overall pitching staff and on our recruiting efforts as a staff to build the team around pitching. Out of the six pitchers drafted, four have been out of the bullpen. That also speaks volumes about our approach and about how we feel that the most important part of the team is always the bullpen. We were 23-1 this season when leading after eight innings."