Eisenberg to sign with the Cleveland Indians
D-III Pitcher of the Year being flown to Jacobs Field Wednesday

June 14, 2006
MARIETTA, Ohio — One chapter of Mike Eisenberg's (Coral Gables, Fla./Bullis (Md.)) baseball story is officially over, while another has officially started. Eisenberg, selected by the Cleveland Indians in the eighth round of the Major League Baseball draft on June 6, will become the newest member of the Tribe Wednesday (June 14).

"I've decided to take the Indians' offer and pursue the career I've always dreamed of," said Eisenberg, who is being flown from his house in Florida to Jacobs Field today to meet his new employers. "I loved my time at Marietta and couldn't have asked for a better way to go out, winning the national championship."

Eisenberg, selected 251st overall, becomes the first Pioneer drafted since Dave Bradley was a 14th round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 1999.

"Although we would have loved to have him back as our ace in 2007, the coaching staff understands his decision and wishes him the best of luck at the next level," Marietta College coach Brian Brewer said.

Eisenberg, the highest drafted D-III player in 2006, received a trophy case full of awards this season. The lanky, hard-throwing right-hander was named Co-MVP of the World Series, first team All-OAC, first team All-Region, Mideast Region Pitcher of the Year, and a first team All-American. He was also named to the All-OAC Tournament, All-Mideast Region Tournament and World Series All-Tournament teams.

Eisenberg finished the season with a 13-2 record, which tied him for most victories in D-III level. On the year, he made 21 appearances, started 16 games and worked 115 innings. Eisenberg allowed just 28 runs (17 earned for a 1.33 earned run average) on 70 hits, while walking 35 and striking out 138. The 138 strikeouts tied him with 2003 graduate Matt DeSalvo for third on MC's all-time list.

DeSalvo, a 2003 non-drafted free agent signing of the New York Yankees, holds the top two marks (205 and 157). He is currently pitching with the Trenton Thunder in Class AA.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are slated to begin their season on June 20 with a three-game series at Jamestown, the Florida Marlins' affiliate in the New York-Penn League. 

Marietta went 4-0 and won the program's fourth NCAA Division III National Championship on May 30 after a 7-2 victory over Wheaton (Mass.) in the Championship Game at Fox Cities Stadium in Grande Chute, Wis.

The Etta Express, which won three national titles in the 1980s under the direction of the late Don Schaly, waited 20 years for the fourth title. Only Eastern Connecticut State has equaled Marietta's four crowns. The Pioneers also won the title in 1981, 1983 and 1986. It was the first time the Etta Express captured the nation's top prize away from the friendly confines of Marietta, Ohio.