NEW YORK ? Two more University of South Alabama baseball players were drafted Thursday, bringing the number of Jags taken in the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft to four.

Senior left-handed pitcher Brandon Sage was selected with the 23rd pick of the 37th round (No. 1,124 overall) by the New York Mets, and junior center fielder Adam Heisler was chosen with the 18th pick of the 45th round (No. 1,359 overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals.

“I’m extremely excited for Brandon,” head coach Steve Kittrell said. “I know he wanted a shot a professional ball, and he’ll get one now. We’re all really excited for him, and we appreciate what he did in his career at South Alabama.”

Sage posted a 3-6 record with one save and a 4.64 ERA in 15 appearances ? 10 of which were starts ? in his senior season. His ERA ranked second on the team, and he threw the Jags’ only complete game.

Heisler led the Jags with a .390 batting average and a .441 on-base percentage. He also knocked 14 doubles, stole 16 bases in 23 tries, and his 45 RBI were good for second on the team. Heisler will have until August 17 to decide whether to sign a professional contract or return to South Alabama for his senior season.

“Adam was drafted much later than everybody anticipated,” Kittrell said. “He’s got a lot of tools, so if he decides to come back he’ll have a shot to go much higher next year. He’ll make a decision based on what’s best for him, and we’ll be behind him either way.”

Joining them in the Jags’ 2009 draft class are senior catcher David Doss, who was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies, and junior right-handed pitcher Matt Jackson, who was selected by the San Diego Padres; both were selected in the 31st round. None of the nine players USA has signed for the 2010 season were chosen in the draft.

Notes:  The Jags have now had at least two players chosen in every draft since 2001 ... If all four sign professional contracts, that will bring the number of players Kittrell has sent to the professional ranks to 98 ... Doss and Jackson are the first Jags to be chosen in the 31st round, Sage is the first chosen in the 37th, while Heisler joins Allen Battle as the only Jags drafted in the 45th round; Battle is the lowest drafted Jag to ever play in the Major Leagues.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).