WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University left-handed pitchers Trey Dombroski and Rob Hensey were drafted Monday in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft. Dombroski was selected in the fourth round, 133^rd overall by the Houston Astros while Hensey was picked in the ninth round, 273^rd overall by the Cincinnati Reds. This marks the first time in program history Monmouth has had two players chosen in the top-10 rounds, and fifth time in school history MU has seen multiple players drafted in the same year.
 
"Everyone is extremely happy for Trey," said Monmouth Head Coach Dean Ehehalt. "It is certainly an exciting day for Trey and his family.  His dream of becoming a professional baseball player is a reality and I am sure he will be ready for the opportunity that lies ahead. We wish all the best for Trey and look forward to following his career and path in pro ball."
 
Dombroski posted one of the best seasons in program history on the mound, setting the program's single-season strikeout record with 120 en route to MAAC Pitcher of the Year honors. He earned multiple All-America honors, posting a 3.13 ERA while going 6-2 on the year, walking just 14 batters in 95 innings. He opened the season with six no-hit innings in a win over Big 10-member Penn State, and posted six games with double-digit strikeouts including a career-best 13 at Quinnipiac across eight innings.
 
"I'm super excited about the opportunity the Houston Astros are giving me and I can't wait to get to work," said Dombroski. "I want to say thank you to my parents, family, close friends, teammates, coaches and all those who have helped me along the way! I'm so pumped up and I can't wait for the next step in the journey!"
 
Dombroski picked up several accolades on the year, including being the unanimous choice for MAAC Pitcher of the Year along with picking up All-MAAC First Team honors. He was named a Second-Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball, and picked up First Team All-East Region by the ABCA. He was the MAAC Pitcher of the Week five times and earned MAAC All-Academic honors. Finally, he was named the Paul G. Gaffney II Monmouth Male Athlete of the Year.
 
Hensey put together a remarkable career in the Blue and White, including becoming just the third Hawk to ever strike out 100+ batters in a season when he fanned 102 this past year. The 2021 MAAC Pitcher of the Year, he posted a 1.54 ERA as a junior and over the course of his career, walked just 45 batters in 211 innings. In 2021, he was a First Team All-MAAC choice while posting the fifth best earned run average in the nation. His 6.83 strikeout-to-walk ratio was 17^th in the country, with his 0.88 WHIP marking ninth in the NCAA. An All-Region ABCA Second Teamer, Hensey struck out double-digit batters five times this season, walking just 13 in 81.1 frames.
 
"We are really happy for Rob," said Ehehalt. "He is a great kid and very deserving of being drafted. Rob has worked incredibly hard for this chance and will be ready to make the most of this great opportunity. We look forward to following his journey and career."
 
A MAAC All-Rookie Team selection in 2019, Hensey won 14 games in a Monmouth uniform while allowing opponents to hit just .231 against him. Across his final three seasons, he issued only 22 free passes in over 150 innings and this season, pitched into the sixth inning eight times.
 
"This means everything to me," said Hensey. "I look back at the journey over the years and could not be more grateful for the people who have been in my corner through it all. My Monmouth teammates who became my brothers, my coaches who blessed me with an opportunity and most importantly, my family."
 
The two left-handed pitchers become the 19^th and 20^th Hawks in school history selected in the MLB Draft.
 
NOTES ON THE 2022 MLB DRAFT
-Dombroski is the third highest pick in program history (Pat Light – 2012 1^st round to Boston Red Sox and Mickey Abarbanel – 1965 3^rd round to Chicago White Sox)
-Dombroski was the first Hawk drafted since Anthony Ciavarella in 2016 (24^th round – St. Louis)
-This marks the fifth time in program history two Hawks have been selected in the same draft (1973 – Peter Cusick and Jeffrey Bouton, 2003 – Mike St. Martine and Lance Koenig, 2008 – Kyle Higgins and Brad Brach, 2009 – Brett Brach and Ryan Buch)
-This is the first time in school history two Hawks have been drafted in the first 10 rounds
-Dombroski is the second Hawk ever drafted by the Astros (Lance Koenig – 2003 – 22^nd Round)
-Hensey is the first Hawk ever drafted by the Cincinnati Reds
-Dombroski was the first college player in the 2022 MLB Draft taken from the state of New Jersey, and second overall
-Hensey was the third college player taken from New Jersey
-The duo are the only two players to play in the MAAC last season to be drafted to this point