EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville senior Sam Johns was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 31st round of the 2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Saturday afternoon.  Johns becomes the third Purple Ace to be drafted this year, joining Kyle Freeland (1st round - Rockies) and Kyle Pollock (20th round - Royals).
 
Johns, who was selected with the 934th overall pick, finished his Evansville career with 15 saves, tying him for the fifth-most in program history.  The Bethalto, Ill., native recorded 11 of his 15 career saves this season, tying him for the top mark in the Missouri Valley Conference and for the fourth-most in a single season by an Aces' pitcher.
 
The senior righty made 70 career appearances on the mound for UE and finished this season with 25 strikeouts in his 30.2 innings of relief.  Johns was part of two Evansville shutouts this season and three over his career.
 
Johns is the seventh Aces' player to be drafted under sixth-year head coach Wes Carroll.