DeMark inks minor league contract with San Diego Padres
Bradley also switches professional teams, returning to the Milwaukee Brewers organization

Jan. 15, 2007
MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College alum Mike DeMark ’05, who worked the final out for the Etta Express in the 2006 NCAA Division III National Championship game to help the program clinch its fourth World Series title, made the jump from independent to affiliated professional baseball Jan. 12 when he signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization. In addition, David Bradley ’99 has rejoined the Milwaukee Brewers minor league organization after spending a season with the Oakland Athletics farm club.

DeMark, who spent his first season of professional ball with the Florence Freedom of the Independent Frontier League, will report to spring training in March to vie for a roster spot. In 2006, DeMark went 1-4 with a 3.22 ERA out of the bullpen for the Freedom. In 64 innings, the right-hander struck out 59 hitters and kept opposing batters to a .192 average.

DeMark, an All-American as a sophomore, went 31-3 with a 2.53 earned run average in his four-year career with the Etta Express. He accumulated 262 strikeouts, which tied him for fifth on MC's career strikeout list.

Bradley, who will begin his eighth year in professional baseball, was a member of the Brewers’ club in 2004 and 2005, playing with its Double-A affiliate, Huntsville Stars, during the summer of 2005. Bradley, originally drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1999, has accumulated a 49-49 record with a 4.11 ERA in professional baseball.

Bradley, who was a two-time first team All-American and Academic All-American with Marietta, finished his collegiate career with a record of 36-4 and still holds the NCAA Division III record for victories in a season with 18.

Marietta College, one of the smallest schools in NCAA Division III, has seven former players currently active in professional baseball. The Pioneers have had 43 join the professional ranks since 1964 [Pioneers in the pros].