Columbia-Greene Community College shortstop Mike Dodig, who was drafted today by the Atlanta Braves, has put the pin on the map for the returning baseball program at the Greenport campus.

Dodig, 18, was selected in the 10th round of the Major League Baseball Draft today. He was the team's 10th selection and the 329th overall.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic," Dodig remarked on hearing the news. "I feel on top of the world. I was jumping up and down for joy."

"Mike's really worked hard since day one," said Head Coach Josh Horn, who recently was named the Mountain Valley Coach of the Year. "It's a great baseball family, good baseball pedigree. He worked hard for it, and he deserves it."

Before the notice from Braves scout Dennis Sheehan, the freshman infielder had already stood out in the Mountain Valley Conference, making the All Conference first team and All Region second team.

Dodig's offensive skills helped the Twins finish with an 18-15 overall record, 17-13 in the division and 17-11 in the East-West divisional section.

With 107 at bats, Dodig logged 49 hits, 26 RBIs and 34 runs scored, with 3 homers, 9 doubles and 3 triples. His season batting average was .458, with a .517 on-base percentage.

Dodig, a Saugerties native, was also twice named Male Athlete of the Week. For the week of April 23, he had 15 hits in 23 at-bats, including a pair of homeruns, 2 doubles and a triple.

During the week, he drove in 7 runs, and scored 8 times, helping the Twins to a 5-2 record. In addition, Dodig provided the game winning solo homerun in the top of the seventh inning in a win at Jefferson CC.

The week of April 30, Dodig had 14 hits in 21 at-bats, with a homerun, 4 doubles, 5 RBIs, and scored 11 times, helping the Twins to a 6-0 record for the period. Mike provided the game winning walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 7th inning in a win against Fulton-Montgomery Community College.

The Dodig family has been heavily involved in baseball for generations. Dodig's sister, Caty, was a starting pitcher for the Twins softball team.

From here, he travels to the Orlando area, where he will play in a rookie league for the Braves this summer.