Mahwah, NJ:  Former Ramapo College baseball standout Joe Venturino was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 36th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 11th. Venturino, who was the 1,077th pick overall, was one of 20 NCAA Division III players selected.
 
Venturino was the first Roadrunner to be drafted since 2013 when PJ Cerreto was selected by the Cincinnati Reds as the 1,215th overall pick. Venturino's father Phil Venturino, a right-handed pitcher, signed as a free agent in 1985 with the California Angels. Venturino played four seasons in Single through Triple A.
 
Joe Venturino will join the Peoria Mariners this week in Arizona. The team plays at the Peoria Sports Complex. It is the spring training and player development home of the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres. Venturino is excited to start this journey in his baseball career. "It's a dream come true. It's always been a dream for me to play professional baseball. My father played the game and always told me stories about his minor league experiences; I think it's cool that I have the privilege to do the same."
 
Ramapo College Head Coach Rich Martin on Joe's dedication to the team during his career. "Joe Venturino has been the heart and soul of this program for the past 4 years. His accomplishments on the field have been a major part of an unprecedented run of success never before experienced in the programs history.  I truly believe the best is yet to come for Joe. He continues to get bigger and stronger and improve his game. He was drafted because he has yet to reach his full potential. Joe is arguably my favorite player in my 45-years of coaching. He is and was a true all-American, on and off the field. "
 
Venturino led the Roadrunners this season to the NJAC Tournament Championship and second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. He started all 48 games leading the Roadrunners in batting average (.382), slugging percentage (.466), on base percentage (.479), hits (68), doubles (13), total bases (83), stolen bases (21), at bats (178), sac flies (4) and tied for first in walks (32). He was second on the team in runs scored (40) and RBI (34), total plate appearances (220). He was named NJAC Player of The Year, NJAC First Team All-Conference and D3baseball.com All-Region First Team, ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team and ECAC All-Star. He set new school records for hits in a career (247) and career-stolen bases (59). Venturino helped the Roadrunners to three NCAA Tournament appearances including the 2015 New England Regional Championship and an appearance in the 2015 NCAA Division III World Series.