Saturday started out like any normal weekend for Tyler Herb.
The 22-year-old lifted some weights, then helped good friend Ben Ancheff move some furniture at his house.
Around 2:30 p.m., shortly after he returned to his Wiconisco home, Herb got a text message that changed his life.
"My advisor texted me and said the Mariners are going to take you with the next pick," the former Williams Valley standout said. "Before I could even realize what was happening, I heard my name come up.
"It's the best feeling ever. It's indescribable. It was the best, honestly."
The Seattle Mariners chose Herb on Saturday in the 29th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, pick No. 861 overall.
A right-handed pitcher, Herb recently concluded his career at Coastal Carolina University, where he compiled a 22-9 record and 3.40 ERA in 61 games (46 starts). He knew there was a possibility that he could get drafted, but wasn't sure if it would happen.
"The past 2-3 weeks I got some calls from teams regarding the draft, mostly asking about my signability," Herb said. "I told all of them I'd definitely sign. It doesn't matter what money, I just wanted an opportunity to play.
"I didn't want to watch the draft at all. My parents (Paul and Lori) were watching it at home, but they had just left for my brother's (Bryce) Little League game. I was actually sitting at home by myself when they called.
"I went up to the game and
shared a great moment with them."
Herb was a three-sport star at Williams Valley, excelling in football, basketball and baseball.
The 2010 Republican-Herald All-Area Player of the Year in baseball, Herb guided the Vikings to the 2010 Schuylkill League Division II title, District 11 Class A crowns in 2008 and 2009 and the PIAA Class A state semifinals in 2008.
As a senior, he was 7-3 with a 2.39 ERA and 126 strikeouts on the mound and hit .487 at the plate, leading the area in hits (37), runs scored (39), triples (3) and RBIs (38) while hitting six home runs.
Herb is the first Williams Valley baseball player to be drafted, according to Vikings head coach Don Matter. Matter has been able to follow Herb's college career through the pitcher's father, who is an assistant coach with the Vikes.
"It's really exciting," Matter said. "I think I was as excited as he was. When he called me, I told him, 'That made my year.' "
Herb had an up-and-down career at Coastal Carolina.
He pitched in 17 games without a decision as a freshman, then was a second-team All-Big South selection as a sophomore after going 9-2 (all starts) with a 2.61 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 96.2 innings.
As a junior, Herb posted a 6-1 record with a 4.15 ERA in 12 starts, but battled injuries the second half of the season.
"It was April, and I had just thrown eight innings," Herb recalled. "We were headed home, and I fell asleep on the bus with my arms behind my head. When I woke up, I felt weird. The next day, I couldn't lift my arm."
Herb took six weeks off, received a cortisone shot and took anti-inflammatory medicine. When he returned to action, he was only throwing 79-81 mph.
Knowing something was wrong, Herb went to see renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who specializes in Tommy John surgery.
"There was actually a moment where I was sitting outside on a bench ... I called my dad and had a meeting with my mom and dad," Herb said. "I had the option of doing six weeks of physical therapy, or having surgery the next day.
"We went with physical therapy, and thank God I did. Looking back, it's the turning point of how all this happened. To be able to continue with my senior year, and not have surgery, was a blessing."
Herb struggled early this spring, starting the season 0-3. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder then reeled off six straight wins over an eight-game span, pitching nine innings twice and eight innings twice while posting a 2.36 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 16 earned runs over 61 innings.
In the final game of his career, Herb pitched eight strong innings, scattering five hits, walking two and striking out five in the Chanticleers' 9-2 victory over Campbell in the opening round of the Big South Tournament.
"Early on, I was rusty," Herb said. "I didn't throw at all during the fall. I just had to get my arm situated, back to full health, and it just came down to trying to get everything back into a rhythm, regain that competitive spirit."
Overall, Herb finished the season 7-6 in 15 games (all starts) with a 3.53 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 97 innings. The Chanticleers, however, finished 24-33, missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in Herb's career.
The past three seasons, Coastal Carolina was 42-20, 42-19 and 37-23 and nationally ranked all three years.
"This year, honestly was kind of a struggle," Herb said. "It's the first year I've ever been on a losing baseball team. That was a real change for me.
"Throughout the year, I just tried to be a leader and do anything I could to help the team win. I felt that when I took the mound - most of the time we were on a losing streak - I had to pitch my best to keep us in the game.
"I love the pressure, love being able to pitch for the team. We had some success, but I wish I could have had a better senior year."
An exercise and sports science major, Herb has finished his classwork at Coastal Carolina and only needs to complete an internship to graduate.
For now, that internship and a possible career as a physical therapist can wait.
Herb received his rookie contract via email Sunday, and planned to sign it and return it.
He flies out Tuesday to Arizona, where he will begin training camp. He will then be sent to play for the Pulaski Mariners, Seattle's rookie-level team in the short-season Appalachian League.
"I'm excited and ready to go," Herb said. "It's a great opportunity with the Mariners, I thank them, and I will do anything I can to help them win all the way up through."Tyler Herb file
Age: 22
Hometown: Wiconisco
Parents: Paul and Lori
High School: 2010 graduate of Williams Valley High School
College: Senior exercise and sports science major at Coastal Carolina University, Conway, S.C.
High School Highlights: Three-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball. ... 1,000-point scorer in basketball. .... Was 2010 Republican-Herald All-Area Player of the Year in baseball ... Won 2 District 11 titles
College Highlights: Went 22-9 with 3.40 ERA. ... All-Big South second-team pick as sophomore. ... Played in 3 NCAA Division I Tournaments