College baseball remains months away, but in the professional world, the University of Dayton continues to impress.

Cameron Hobson and Cole Tyrell were both selected in the First-Year Player Draft in June, taking two different paths to the eventual goal of playing in the major leagues.

Hobson decided to return to school after being selected in the 37th round by the New York Yankees. The left-handed pitcher still has two more years of eligibility remaining.

Tyrell, a 42nd round pick by the San Diego Padres, signed and started playing shortly after his senior year at UD. The utility infielder is currently playing for the Eugene Emeralds of the short-season Class A Northwest League, but has struggled adjusting to professional pitching so far.

"It's just a lot different, and it is a completely different game than the college game," he said. "The attitude's a lot different, the preparation's a lot different, and the lifestyle and the travel and everything is just a lot more focused. You have to be a lot more self-reliant than you would have to be in college."

Through 29 games played this year, Tyrell has a meager .171 batting average while appearing at four different positions in the field. The Northwest League's season ends Monday, Sept. 6, and his biggest adjustment has been as a catcher, a position he learned to add to his value in the Padres system.

Thanks to Hobson, however, Dayton will be returning all three of its weekend starters in what could be another successful season. He admits the pressure is on but has hopes of being a future first-round draft pick.

"It's a great program; I love the coaches, and they just want you to succeed," Hobson said. "Obviously, they have guys that have done that, and they set the example for us. It's just time to follow in their footsteps."

Head coach Tony Vittorio believes the Flyers are the lone Division I program in Ohio with two players at the major league level: Oakland Athletics reliever Jerry Blevins and Washington Nationals starter Craig Stammen.

Blevins has appeared in 57 games as a reliever for the Oakland Athletics this season, and Stammen is 8-11 with a 5.08 ERA over the past two years.

The two players have kept in touch with the school, and Tyrell recalled visits from them starting during his freshman season. Their success is now making it easier for him to imagine a future career in the pros.

"It just really makes you think that even from UD, you have a legitimate shot at fulfilling all of your dreams of playing professional baseball," he said. "And right now, I'm getting a chance to live that, and it is exciting."

Blevins was the first to appear in the big leagues when he made his MLB debut in 2007 following a trade from the Chicago Cubs. The event made him think about what it was like to represent UD and start a new trend for years to come.

"Making your debut is one of those things you dream about as a kid, and all the time, I tell people that I am from the University of Dayton," Blevins said. "With Craig Stammen doing so well for the Nationals as well, it really helps to make a name for our school. It's a really cool thing for us both to be in the major leagues."