MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama baseball right-handed pitcher Drake Nightengale signed a professional contract with the New York Mets, and will forego his remaining season of eligibility with the Jaguar program.

"The Mets called and were trying to push for me and pick me up in the fifth round," Nightengale said. "Things just didn't work out and they took another guy. On the first day of free agency, I didn't hear anything. And then on the second day, they called me early that morning and gave me the offer.

"This opportunity means everything. Professional baseball has been my dream since I was a little kid, and I told my parents that I would get my degree before pursuing that dream. I got that taken care of this past May, and everything just kind of worked out. It means the world to me."

Part of Nightengale's free agent deal with the Mets involves the organization paying for his master's degree when he chooses to pursue it. "Not having to worry about that in the future was a deciding factor," he said. "When they told me that, I was all on board.

"And my favorite pitcher of all time, Jacob deGrom, is there; he was my idol growing up. I have been watching him for a long time, and I honestly try to pitch like him. I'm super excited to get started. It is awesome to be a Met and get this opportunity, and I just want to make the most out of it."

Nightengale was selected as the 2020 Preseason Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year, as well as Preseason Second-Team All-America by Collegiate Baseball entering the 2020 campaign. 

He finished 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA in four starts in 2020, and struck out 39 batters against 10 walks in 23 1/3 innings pitched. He combined for two shutouts, and struck out eight or more batters in every appearance on the year. His lone win of the season came after a nine-strikeout performance over six innings in the series opener at No. 13 Arkansas.

"It's bittersweet for us, because of how big of a part Drake was of this program," Jaguar head coach Mark Calvi said. "But we were going to lose him this year anyway; he was going to play professional baseball. Part of my job is helping these guys fulfill a dream of one day playing professional baseball, so from that aspect I have done my job. I am proud of Drake. I felt as though he was going to be a big part of a big year this year. I'm proud of everything he has done for the program in the last year-and-a-half. We're all proud of him and all the hard work he put in, and we're very happy he had a chance to sign with the Mets."

As a junior in 2019, Nightengale went 6-2 with a 3.52 ERA and one save in 15 appearances with 12 starts. He recorded 91 strikeouts against 38 walks in 71 2/3 innings pitched while limiting opponents to a .196 batting average. He went 4-0 with a 1.83 ERA and 49 strikeouts against seven walks in his final five starts of the 2019, which encompassed 34 1/3 innings, and turned in a quality start in each of those starts.

"I vastly matured during my time at South Alabama, and (Head) Coach (Mark) Calvi helped me to develop and just grow up a little bit. It has helped me be able to realize that baseball is just a game, no matter what level you are at; Coach Calvi helped me with that, and I give him all the credit. The biggest thing I learned at South is how to handle the little situations and control what you can control. I just matured so much over the last two years, and now know how to handle those things."

The status of Minor League Baseball for the 2020 season remains uncertain due to Covid-19, and as a result, Nightengale will likely have to wait until at least the fall before he gets to put on his new uniform. 

"They told me they want to shoot for September when they have an instructional league, but it depends on Major League Baseball and what it decides to do," he said. "But we're shooting for September and hopefully start the year off normally next year."

Nightengale said he will stay on his normal routine of throwing and working out to try and stay as close to game-shape and ready as he can during the pandemic, but also taking some time to relax. "I'm trying to enjoy my time right now, because I know when we get going that it is going to be a grind; I'm just trying to have a little fun while staying in shape."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with USAJaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at Twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Dugout Club - the baseball-specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. Members enjoy all games from inside the Stadium Club with climate control, private restrooms, private concessions and access to listen to the radio broadcast. All donations to the Dugout Club go directly to support the South Alabama baseball program. For more information on how you can join visit JaguarAthleticFund.com.