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June 10, 2009

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -

            A pair of University of Northern Iowa baseball players were selected in the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday. Shuhei Fujiya was selected in the 18th round by the San Diego Padres, and Nick Kirk was chosen by the Cleveland Indians in the 19th round.

            Fujiya, who was the 534th overall pick, finished his career at UNI tied for the school record for career saves. The right-handed pitcher notched nine saves in 2009, helping him to earn honorable mention All-Missouri Valley Conference honors.

            Kirk led UNI with six victories, and the left-handed pitcher paced the Panthers with 89 strikeouts on the season. The Dubuque, Iowa native, who earned second-team all-conference honors in 2009, was the 575th overall selection.

            Fujiya and Kirk become the 20th and 21st Panthers to be selected in the MLB draft since 1964. The draft will conclude on Thursday.