Marshall pitcher Patrick Copen high-fives teammates during a college baseball game last season in Huntington, W.Va. (Photo courtesy of Marshall Athletics)

PARKERSBURG — Patrick Copen’s childhood dream has become a reality.

After pitching the last three seasons at Marshall University, Copen, a Parkersburg Catholic graduate, was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh round of the Major League Baseball Draft Monday.

“It’s been pure excitement and bliss, honestly,” said Copen, who followed the draft alongside his loved ones. “It’s truly an honor and a blessing to be selected in the draft. It’s been my biggest dream since I was younger.”

Copen learned via a phone call from his advisor, Brian Hiler, that the Dodgers planned to pick him shortly before the pick was announced. He and his family waited to celebrate once the official word came in.

“Once my name was called there was lots of cheering, excitement and hugs,” Copen said. “It was an all-around great time, and a memory I’ll have at the front of my mind for a long time.”

Copen is a 6-foot-6 right-hander who throws four pitches — four-seam fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. He relies most heavily on the heater and the curve, with the former touching 99 miles-per-hour at times.

Being picked by the Dodgers gives Copen the opportunity to learn in a system that has been one of the best in baseball at developing pitching talent.

“They’re top notch,” Copen said. “That’s something I’m extremely excited for. As of right now there’s a lot of big names pitching in there. I’m extremely excited to get in their program, put my head down and start grinding.”

Copen became the first Marshall baseball player ever to be selected by the Dodgers. Los Angeles made him the 220th overall pick, the earliest a member of the Thundering Herd has gone in the draft in seven years.

Copen pitched 136 innings over his sophomore and junior seasons, striking out 148 batters. He finished fifth in the Sun Belt Conference with 83 punchouts his junior year.

The former Crusader is the second local kid to be taken in one of the major sports drafts this year. In April, Parkersburg High graduate Brenton Strange was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. That same week, Marietta High graduate Turner Hill signed with the San Francisco Giants organization.

“I’m extremely proud to be a part of the Mid-Ohio Valley,” Copen said. “I’ve lived in Belpre all my life. It really does mean a lot to see guys like Brenton Strange and myself get the professional attention that a lot of kids around here deserve. I hope at points of my career I’ll be able to return and give back to the younger generation.”

Jordan Holland can be reached at jholland@mariettatimes.com.