Mark Brackman's seen success in first season with the Oneonta Tigers

	Brackman looks forward to 2008 season

Jan. 8, 2008

For immediate release

Contact: Paul Worstell, Director of Sports Media/Broadcasting, 816-415-5959, worstellp@william.jewell.edu

LIBERTY, Mo. - Former William Jewell baseball standout Mark Brackman completed a successful first season with the Oneonta Tigers, the Detroit Tigers class A minor league affiliate. 

Brackman, a 2007 graduate of William Jewell College, was drafted in the 16th round by the Detroit Tigers in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. A week after the draft he reported to Lakeland, Fla., and after a week of workouts he was assigned to Oneonta, N.Y.

Brackman started 14 games for Oneonta, and finished the season 4-4 with a 4.05 earned run average. His last win in September saw him give up a single in the second inning, and that would turn out to be the only hit against him as he came one out short of going the distance. He finished that game with seven strikeouts in 8 2/3 shutout innings. 

Brackman hopes for a steady climb toward the major leagues. He will report back to Lakeland, Fla., on March 1 for a month before he will be assigned an affiliate by the Tigers organization. "It is hard to think about the majors right now," said Brackman. "I'd like to continue and improve and see what happens. But playing in the majors is my ultimate goal."

During the season Brackman had some memorable moments. He struck out New York Mets All-Star catcher Paul LoDuca, who was on a minor league rehab stint at the time.  His team also won their division but lost in the playoffs to the Toronto Blue Jays class A minor league affiliate. The division win was complete with a champagne shower like they have in the majors when a team wins a division or world series title. 

"It was a fun year and I learned a lot," said Brackman. "I am looking forward to 2008 and trying to move up in the organization."

Brackman follows eight other Cardinals teammates who have gone on to play professional baseball in the last five years.  In 2007, Brackman was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference pitcher of the year by going 12-0 with an era of 2.27. He was also named to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American first team.

Mark Brackman - Oneonta Tigers - Statistics