June 8, 2004

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina senior relievers Kevin Brower and Michael Gross were both selected in the 33rd round of the 2004 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Tuesday. Brower was taken by the Detroit Tigers with the 973rd overall pick, while Gross went to the St. Louis Cardinals with the 990th selection.

Brower wrapped up his Carolina career with 105 career appearances, the fourth-most in program history. He posted a career record of 10-8 with four saves and a 4.33 earned run average. In 2004, the Middleboro, Mass., native was 1-1 with a 3.57 ERA in 22 appearances. In 2003, Brower led the staff with 33 games pitched. He recorded a career-low ERA of 2.28 in 2002.

The Tar Heel closer as a senior, Gross went 4-4 with eight saves and a 2.24 ERA, the lowest on the staff. He worked 52.1 innings and led the team with 32 appearances. Gross struck out 59 batters against just 12 walks. For his career, the Marietta, Ga., native appeared in 91 games to rank seventh in program history and posted a 12-8 record with 11 saves. Gross had a career ERA of 4.42.

Three Tar Heels were taken Monday in the draft. Catcher Chris Iannetta went in the fourth round (110th overall) to the Colorado Rockies, Right fielder Marshall Hubbard was selected in the eighth round (243rd overall) by the Seattle Mariners and right-hander Garry Bakker was picked in the 11th round (329th overall) by the Chicago White Sox.

Head coach Mike Fox has now had 25 players drafted in his six years at Carolina.