Ball State University Athletics
Sullivan Drafted In 31st Round By Detroit
June 07, 2006 | Baseball
Sullivan was a four-year starter for the Cardinals. He had served as the team's leadoff hitter before moving into the third spot in the batting order in 2006. He holds school records for career runs scored (205), career at bats (901) and season at bats (258). A .326 hitter during his four years, Sullivan hit a career-best .353 during his junior season in 2005.
As a senior, Sullivan hit .326 with three home runs and a career-high 40 RBI. His 84 hits ranked third in the Mid-American Conference, and his 61 runs scored placed him fifth in the league. He completed the 2006 season with a .984 fielding percentage, recording 179 putouts and committing just three errors. He also matched his career-high with 15 stolen bases in 19 attempts.
"I'm very excited for the opportunity Mike has at the next level," Ball State coach Greg Beals said. "He's proved himself in college as a four-year starter and our career runs leader. He can run, throw and play defense, and his best years offensively are still ahead of him."
Sullivan was an All-MAC First Team selection as a junior in 2005 and a second team honoree as a sophomore in 2004. He earned a spot on the 2006 MAC All-Tournament Team, hitting .333 to help Ball State to its first tournament championship in school history. On Sunday, Sullivan was named to the NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team for his performance at the Lexington Regional, where he recorded a .462 batting average and hit safely in all three games.
Sullivan is the 42nd player in the history of the Ball State baseball program to be drafted. He joins teammates Ben Snyder and Brad Miller, who were selected in earlier rounds Tuesday, as members of the 2006 draft class.
