It was a big day yesterday for LSU outfielder and former St. Thomas Moore Cougar Mike Mahtook as he was drafted in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Mikie was one of 12 Tigers picked in the first round since 1989, when pitcher Ben McDonald was selected first by the Baltimore Orioles.

Baton Rouge - LSU outfielder Mikie Mahtook was picked by the Tampa Bay Rays with the 31st pick in the first round of the Major League Baseball first-year player draft.

Mahtook was the fourth outfielder picked in the first round and the second of three first round picks by the Rays. They picked righthander Taylor Guerrieri of Spring Valley (S.C.) High School with the 24th pick and shortstop Jake Hager of Sierra Vista (Nev.) High School one pick after Mahtook.

"It's an awesome experience for me; I'm very excited," said Mahtook who had a career .344 batting averaged and helped LSU to the 2009 national championship as a freshman centerfielder.

"It was very nerve-wracking. You never know what's going to happen. I was sitting here anxious and nervous all day. When I finally saw my name picked it was kind of a relief.

"I walked out of the room a couple of times to clear my head. I had a mixed reaction. I didn't jump up and down but I was really excited and had a big grin on my face. The first person I hugged was my mom."

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