Former Lynchburg College baseball player Ronnie LaBrie (Vinton, Va./Staunton River) was recently selected by the Washington Nationals in the 38th round (1,141 overall pick) of the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
LaBrie, who was named the 2008 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Player of the Year, becomes the first Lynchburg College baseball player drafted under head coach Percy Abell's tenure at LC. Sophomore centerfielder Cameron Grant (Lynchburg, VA/Heritage) was drafted before he enrolled at LC by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006.
LaBrie helped the Hornets to their most successful season in program history in 2008, as they reached the NCAA South Regional for the first time since 1983. LaBrie ranked in the top-five in 16 of 18 offensive categories posted by the conference. He also set the Lynchburg College single-season records for stolen bases and hit by pitches this year.
LaBrie has already signed with the Nats, and will now report to their Rookie league affiliate, the Gulf Coast Nationals in Viera, Florida for the upcoming season.