Cross selected by Oakland A's

Niagara County Community College sophomore catcher Matt Cross was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in Wednesday's portion of the Major League Baseball Draft. The University of Pittsburgh commit was selected with the 563rd overall pick in the 19th round.

Cross, who helped the Thunderwolves baseball program to 87 wins the past two seasons, hit .382 with 52 hits, 41 runs, eight doubles, seven home runs, 44 RBIs and a .610 slugging percentage this past spring. He was recently honored as a first team All-Region III Div. III selection. He was also named the school's 2017-18 Male Athlete of the Year.

As a freshman, Cross hit .340 with 52 hits, 37 runs, 14 doubles, four home runs, 53 RBIs and a .536 slugging percentage. He was a 2017 ABCA/Rawlings NJCAA Div. III Gold Glove winner and an All-Tournament selection at the NJCAA Div. III World Series after helping NCCC to a runner-up finish. 

"Matt has worked extremely hard and truly earned this opportunity" NCCC coach Matt Clingersmith said. "It has been great to watch him come up through the Junior Thunderwolves organization and develop into one of the best players we've ever had here at NCCC. I look forward to watching him grow as a player and person in the future."

Cross is the fourth NCCC player to be drafted under Clingersmith's watch joining Sean Jamieson (2011, 17th round, Oakland A's), Christian Barczykowski (2012, 27th round, Atlanta Braves) and Christian Young (2016, 23rd round, Oakland A's; 2017, 21st round, Cincinnati Reds).