Wayne Gomes

In 1993 relief specialist Wayne Gomes was the highest Monarch player ever selected in the baseball draft. The Philadelphia Phillies selected the Hampton, Va. native as the fourth overall pick in the first round.

As a junior in 1993, Gomes earned first team honors from the Colonial Athletic Association and first team All-State honors. That year, he compiled a 2.03 earned run average with four saves and 55 strikeouts in 26.2 innings.

During his sophomore season, Gomes fanned 54 batters in just 35 innings of work. He recorded three saves and registered a 2.04 earned run average.

Gomes made his mark as a freshman in 1991 as he led the Sun Belt Conference in saves with nine and ranked among the nation's top 15 in that category. He was named first team freshman All-American by COLLEGIATE BASEBALL NEWS in 1991. That same season, Old Dominion ranked as high as 23rd nationally and reached the Sun Belt Conference Tournament finals.

Gomes completed his career at Old Dominion with a 5-3 record. He pitched 100 career innings with 156 career strikeouts and a 2.43 earned run average. Gomes saved 16 games which was a record at Old Dominion when he completed his career.

Pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1997 to 2001. Pitched 13 games for the San Francisco Giants in 2001, then for the Boston Red Sox in 2002. Spent the entire 2003 season with Scranton in the International League where he pitched in the IL All-Star game and led the league in saves. Signed with Oakland during the 2003 off-season. Gomes graduated with a degree in recreation and leisure studies.