Nashua High School North can now celebrate two Titans standouts being drafted by Major League Baseball teams.

Franklin Pierce University junior pitcher Kevin McGowan, a 2010 graduate of North, was selected by the New York Mets in the 13th round (pick 386 overall) on Saturday, the final day of the draft.

“I’m fired up, ready to go,” McGowan said Saturday afternoon. “It’s been crazy. My phone won’t stop ringing. As soon as I put it down, another person is calling me.”

McGowan joins Brad Zapenas as the only two former North standouts to be chosen in the baseball draft.

Zapenas was drafted out of Boston College by the Chicago Cubs in the 42nd round (1,269th pick overall) in the 2011 draft.

“Everybody is so excited,”
McGowan said. “I think my mom is even more excited than I am.

“I just can’t wait to get started.”

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound right-handed pitcher played a key role in FPU’s run to the Division II College World Series.

With one loss already checked off in the double-elimination NCAA East Regional, sixth-seeded Franklin Pierce had its back against the wall, facing Pace University. McGowan scattered nine hits and allowed just one run in a 120-pitch effort, throwing 82 strikes as the Ravens beat the fifth-seeded Setters 8-1 at Penmen Field in Manchester.

Only a shade over 26 hours removed from the final pitch of his complete-game effort that Saturday afternoon against Pace, McGowan took the ball to start Sunday’s title game against top-seeded Wilmington (Del.) University.

He logged two shutout innings against the Wildcats, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two on 32 pitches (23 strikes).

At the time, he was just living it up. Now he’s living out his fantasy.

“I’m just ready to start living my dream,” he said.

McGowan will head to Port St. Lucie, Fla., on Monday for his team physical and minor league assignment.

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