KALAMAZOO, Mich.- A pair of Western Michigan right-handed pitchers were drafted by the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday's day three of the Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Redshirt junior Brian Stroud was taken in the 31st round and senior Eric Heckaman heard his name called in the 35th. If the two sign, they will be the third and fourth pitchers from WMU to join the Tigers organization in the past three years.

"It is great to see two of our players reach this ultimate level of success," said Bronco head coach Billy Gernon. "WMU has great history with draft picks and the tradition continues. Both Brian and Eric were instrumental in us being in the top five in the nation for improved winning percentage from 2010."

Stroud, the 2008 MAC Freshman of the Year and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, returned to top form this season after battling injury the last two. The Broncos' Friday ace posted an 8-4 record with a 3.20 ERA, garnering Second Team All-Mid-American Conference honors. He threw two complete games, one a shutout in a 9-0 win at Akron, and was among the conference leaders in innings pitched during the regular season. He struck out 74 batters and issued just 25 walks over 101.1 innings pitched, holding opposing batters to a .261 average. Selected as his team's Most Valuable Pitcher, Stroud twice earned MAC Pitcher of the Week honors. As a freshman, Stroud went 6-0 as a starter and allowed just 43 hits over 62.2 innings.

Heckaman moved from a starter role to the Broncos' closer this year and had the most productive season of his career, posting 10 saves, second most in a single season in WMU history, and a 2-4 record with a 1.64 ERA. Heckaman was lights out during the early part of the season, going 26.0 innings before giving up his first earned run against Eastern Michigan on April 24. Heckaman made 15 appearances out of the bullpen and struck out 24 over 33.0 innings. He was voted as his team's Most Valuable Relief Pitcher.

Stroud and Heckaman were crucial elements in Western Michigan's success this season, as the program improved last year's win total by 14 games, going 26-31, 12-14 in the MAC, and qualifying for the conference tournament for the first time since 2008, and just the fourth time in the last 12 years. Stroud was the winning pitcher, with Heckaman earning the save, in WMU's 9-7 first round tournament win over Central Michigan. It was the Broncos' first post season victory since 1998. Additionally, the two were part of WMU's pitching staff that was named Insidepitching.com National Pitching Staff of the Week on March 21 after posting a three-game shutout sweep of Akron.

"The Detroit Tigers and (WMU alum) Dave Dombrowski mean so much to our university and it is rewarding in many ways to see Brian and Eric drafted by the Tigers. Stroud was awesome all year as our Friday night guy and Heckaman was remarkable out of the pen as our closer. His 10 saves was critical for our teams success. I was very fortunate to coach both of these fierce competitors and Bronco Nation wishes them the best."

Stroud and Heckaman are set to join former teammates Kevan Hess and Tim Mowry in the Tigers organization. Hess was a 14th round draft pick of the Tigers in 2009 and Mowry signed a free agent contract with Detroit in 2010.