EAST STROUDSBURG – Former East Stroudsburg University RHP Matt Festa was named to the Seattle Mariners Opening Day roster ahead of the 2022 MLB baseball season, which begins tomorrow (April 7).

Festa was an All-America selection at ESU in 2016 and became the highest draft pick in program history when he was selected by the Mariners in the seventh round that summer. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native earned his first promotion to the big leagues on July 14, 2018 and was also named the Mariners' Minor League Pitcher of the Year that season.

"Festa was not only one of the best pitchers to come through the program, but he worked extremely hard day in and day out when he was here," said ESU head coach John Kochmansky. "His work ethic got him to where he is today, and we are excited to see Matt compete at the major league level."

In his major league career, Festa has pitched to a 4.70 ERA across 30.2 innings while recording 25 strikeouts. He's made 28 appearances including one start on Sept. 19, 2018 against the Houston Astros where he retired George Springer, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman in order during his one inning on the mound.

A total of seven ESU players have been selected to the MLB draft but Festa becomes the first in the modern era to be named to an opening day roster.

The Mariners open day matchup with the Twins has been postponed until Friday at 2:10 p.m. ET due to potentially inclement weather.