Hashem goes in the 35th round to Atlanta

(Atlanta, GA) – The Atlanta Braves have selected Fisher College junior Michael Hashem with the 1,076th overall (35th round) pick in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.

The left hander from North Andover, Massachusetts finished the 2011 season with a 3.13 Earned Run Average (ERA). He appeared in 13 games for the Falcons registering a 3-3 record while striking out 67 in 63 1/3 innings. He was named to the 2011 Sunrise Conference All-Conference team as a starting pitcher along with being named a starting pitcher on the 2011 NAIA East Coast All-Unaffiliated team.

“I’m extremely excited to have our first player drafted.” said Fisher College Head Baseball Coach Scott Dulin. “We are all happy for Mike and the opportunity he will have and it’s also good for our program. We have had a lot of players to come through here with the talent and the ability to play at the next level. We are glad that one of them can now prove it. “

Hashem’s best game came on April 21 at Gordon College. He earned the win after pitching 7 innings allowing three unearned runs on four hits while striking out 12.

He attracted scouts to every one of his seven starts this past season. Hashem will have a decision to make as he is scheduled to pitch for the Seacoast Mavericks of the newly formed Futures Collegiate League.

Hashem is the first student-athlete from Fisher to be drafted. When he signs with the Braves, he will become the second Fisher Baseball Falcon to sign a professional contract. Anthony Perry (Andover, MA), class of 2008, was the first when he signed a contract with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the independent Atlantic League.

“It’s real humbling to be the first person drafted out of Fisher College.” said Hashem, when reached by phone. “I want to thank my teammates and the entire coaching staff. They were very supportive all season long. This just makes ending my college career at Fisher that much more special.”

The proud son of Jack and Denise Hashem, Michael will find out in the upcoming days where he will be reporting to/assigned within the Braves’ farm system.

Mike Oliveira is Golden!

Mike Oliveira

(Kansas City, MO) – It was announced today by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics that Fisher College infielder, Michael Oliveira has been named the 2011 Rawlings – NAIA Baseball Gold Glove Award recipient as a second basemen.

The Tewksbury, Massachusetts native had an outstanding senior season in 2011 for the Falcons. In 166 chances, he only committed two errors (61 putouts, 103 assists, 2 errors) which results in a .988 fielding percentage. In the 43 games that Oliveira played for Fisher College this past spring, his two errors came in just one game.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be awarded the Gold Glove.” said Oliveira when reached by phone. “I worked so hard on my defense, it is what I take pride in. This is something that I’ll never forget.”

Oliveira becomes the first Fisher Baseball student-athlete and first student-athlete from the Sunrise Conference to be awarded the National Gold Glove.

“Mikey deserves it.” said Fisher College Head Baseball Coach Scott Dulin. “This past season he played outstanding defense at second base. He made all of the routine plays and was able to turn countless double plays. He even made some plays that made your jaw drop.”

Oliveira’s teammates are also very proud of his accomplishment.

“He was Mr. Automatic.” said pitcher Kevin Michael, who also graduated this past spring. “I knew that if I could get the batter to hit a ground ball to the right side that he was going to be out.”

Oliveira, who recently graduated with his Bachelor’s in Management, will continue to play baseball in a local amateur summer league in Boston. He is a member of the Malden Bulldogs in the Yawkey Baseball League.

The NAIA began awarding the student-athletes with Gold Gloves back in 2007. The award is given to the student-athlete at each position based on their superior individual fielding performances throughout the season. The award is selected by the NAIA-American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-America Selection Committee. This is the fifth year in which the NAIA Gold Glove Team has been chosen.