New York, N.Y. - The 2011 Major League Baseball draft was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Tarleton junior pitcher Ryan Turner was selected in the 32nd round by the Tampa Bay Rays with the 990th overall pick.

Turner set a Tarleton record with 12 saves this season to go along with a 2.68 ERA and a 5-3 record.  The North Richland Hills native also led the Texans with 64 strikeouts and 27 appearances.

At 6'5", the McClennan Community College transfer dominated Lone Star Conference hitting all year, earning first team all-conference honors.

This isn't the first time Turner has had his named called by a major league team however, getting drafted three times before.  He was selected in the 22nd round out of high school, the 30th round the following year, the 49th round last season and now in the 30th round.

The last Tarleton baseball player to be selected in the draft was Jay Burcie in 2004 by the Texas Rangers.  There have been seven Texans taken in the major league first year player draft in the prorgram's history.

Head coach Bryan Conger would like to have Turner another year, but he is thrilled for the closer.

"We are excited for Ryan and the opportunity he has in front of him," said Conger.  "We wish him the best of luck.  We are also excited for what this means for the program and its just another positive step forward as we continue to strive to get better."

For more information regarding the Texan baseball program, check out TarletonSports.com.