FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason junior ace Zach Mort became the second highest draft pick in the history of Mason baseball after being selected by the Chicago Cubs in eighth round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft on Tuesday.

Mort, a right-handed pitcher from Chesterfield, Va., was selected with the 248th overall pick.  Only Chris Widger, who was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the 1992 MLB Draft, has been picked higher in program history.

A two-time Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Week, Mort completed the season with a 6-3 record and 2.48 ERA in 15 starts for the Patriots. 

Mort led the Atlantic 10 in innings pitched (105.1) and tied for first in the conference in complete games (3).  He ranked second in the A-10 in strikeouts (108), sixth in the conference in ERA (2.48) and tied for second in the league in starts (15).