Hillsboro, OR - Former Hofstra pitcher Bryan Verbitsky is scheduled for his first professional start this evening when his Class A Eugene (OR) Emeralds face the Hillsboro Hops at Hillsboro Ballpark at 7:05 Pacific Time.

Verbitsky was selected in the third round by the San Diego Padres in the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft on June 7 following his junior season.

In his three years at Hofstra Verbitsky made 57 career appearances for the Pride, starting five games. He was 4-7 overall with a 3.84 ERA and 11 saves. He tallied 87 strikeouts in 86 2/3 innings and held opponents to a .243 batting average. His 11 saves rank second all-time at Hofstra, while his 57 appearances place him 12th on the all-time list. He also compiled a .257 career batting average with eight home runs and 52 RBIs in 210 at-bats.

This past season Verbitsky posted a 3-4 record and a 2.66 ERA in 19 appearances, including three starts, for the Pride. The right-hander pitched a career-best 44 innings and posted a team-high 51 strikeouts, while walking just 10 batters. His three wins tied for the team lead, while his ERA ranked second. He also added three saves and held opponents to a .178 batting average.

During the summer 2012, Verbitsky was a Cape Code Baseball League All-Star while pitching for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. He starred at Island Trees High School where he was a two-time Diamond Award recipient as the top position player in Nassau County. He also was a two-time All-New York State and All Long Island selection, and a three-time all-county pick.

You can follow the game at MiLB.com. The Emeralds are currently 1-3 on the season in the Northwest League. Hillsboro, which is the Class A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, is also 1-3 on the year. Former Pride star Danny Poma played for the franchise last season when they were knows as the Yakima (WA) Bears.