June 11, 2008

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Texas Wesleyan University's Hayden Lackey has signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Tigers.  Lackey, who holds numerous school records, will travel to Lakeland, Fla., on Wednesday (June 11) to join the Tigers' rookie league team.

Lackey will begin his professional career in the Gulf Coast League.  The GCL Tigers season opener is scheduled for June 19, against the Braves in Celebration City, Fla.

"I'm very excited for Hayden," commented head coach Mike Jeffcoat.  "This is obviously a great opportunity for him.  He put up some tremendous numbers during his career here and has worked very hard to earn his shot."

Tigers scout Dick Egan, who knew Jeffcoat from his time with the Texas Rangers, showed interest in Lackey this season and signed the right-hander after last week's draft.

Lackey was a three-time All-Red River Athletic Conference selection for Jeffcoat's Texas Wesleyan Rams.  His best season came in 2007, when he was named RRAC Pitcher of the Year and Honorable Mention All-American after leading the Rams to a conference title.  That season he set a school record with 14 saves while leading the conference with a 1.62 ERA in 29 appearances.

The sidewinding reliever set NAIA national records this season with 105 total appearances and 104 relief appearances in his career.  He also set a school record with 33 appearances while extending his school record to 24 career saves.

The Rams went 42-16 this season, reached the RRAC title game, and finished third in a power packed NAIA Region VI tournament.