Rockhurst University’s right-hander Mark Sappington was selected in the fifth round (177th overall) of the Major League Baseball first-year player draft by the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, becoming the highest draft pick in the history of the program.

“It feels great to get drafted by an organization as good as the Angels,” Sappington said. “I was optimistic that I would get drafted about where I was picked. I can’t wait to play at the next level.”

Sappington, a 6-foot-5, 209-pound native of Peculiar, was 10-3 with a 1.78 ERA in 2012 and led the Great Lakes Valley Conference in strikeouts with 101 in 96 innings pitched.

“This is a great accomplishment and a fantastic opportunity for Mark,” said Rockhurst baseball coach Gary Burns. “This is a good day for our baseball program and for Rockhurst University.”