By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Collin Radack, the 2010 Cedar Park High School graduate from River Place and Hendrix College All-American, was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Draft on Saturday.

Radack, a 6-3, 205 right-handed center fielder was taken as the 615th overall pick, the highest pick in the Conway, Ark. college’s history.

“I’m beyond excited for my opportunity to play with the Cardinals,” said Radack. “Thank you so much to all my teammates, coaches, family and Hendrix College for everything they have done for me over the years. God has truly blessed me with some amazing people in my life. This is an absolute dream come true for me!”

Collin Radack (blue shirt, standing) was drafted and got the phone call from the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday shortly after he was honored as the 2014 Southern Athletic Association Man of the Year and Player of the Year at an awards luncheon in Memphis.

“We feel so blessed,” said Tom and Marissa Radack, Collin’s parents who live in River Place and are co-owners of Bartlett Real Estate Group, Keller William Realty Group.

“He has worked so hard for the last four years playing ball at school, in summer leagues, and working out daily. His dream coming true is ours, as well,” they added.

Collin Radack flew out at 7:30 Tuesday morning. He will be playing in the New York Penn League for the State Spikes.

Radack became the Warriors’ first baseball All-American this season as he was selected to the ABCA Rawlings Second Team and the D3Baseball.com Third Team. He was also a ABCA/Rawlings All-America Gold Glove Team selection and a Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-America second team pick.

A four-time first team all-conference selection in the outfield, he hit .389 (250-for-642) for his career with 163 runs scored, 45 doubles, 13 triples, six home runs, 110 RBI, 339 total bases, .528 slugging percentage, 50 walks, 37 hit by pitch, .455 on-base percentage, 12 sacrifice flies, 81 stolen bases and a .922 fielding percentage. Radack ended his career with school records in games played, started, at bats, runs, hits, triples, intentional walks (12), stolen bases and fielding percentage and tied for first in total bases. He also broke the program record with a 28-game hitting streak during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Radack capped his career as the 2014 Southern Athletic Association Man of the Year and Player of the Year. He ranked third in the NCAA stolen bases, 17th in hits, 20th in runs scored and 49th in total bases. On the year, Radack hit .401 with 73 hits, 53 runs, 10 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 23 RBI, 34 stolen bases, a .549 slugging percentage, .471 on-base percentage, and a perfect fielding percentage in 158 chances.

“We are thrilled for Collin to begin his professional baseball career with St. Louis,” said Hendrix head baseball coach Neil Groat. “During his time at Hendrix he has excelled in all aspects of college life and has truly earned this opportunity.”

Hendrix College contributed to this piece.