MARSHALL, Texas – Two days after the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, East Texas Baptist University's Isaac Thornton has signed a free-agent contract to play for the Seattle Mariners. He becomes the fourth ETBU baseball player to sign an MLB contract following Tim Brown (1980/NY Mets), Tyler Bates (2016/Los Angeles Angels), and Casey Combs (2019/Miami Marlins).
 
"What an unbelievable opportunity for Isaac," said ETBU Head Baseball Coach Jared Hood. "Having a chance to play professional baseball after college was something that was important to him in choosing to attend ETBU. Isaac came in and absolutely earned this opportunity, and I am so proud of this young man. I can't wait to see where this road takes him. Congratulations, Isaac."
 
Thornton had a standout season in his only year at ETBU, earning selection to the NCAA Division III Championship All-Tournament Team and going 3-0 in four NCAA postseason appearances. He earned wins over Concordia Texas, No. 2 Lynchburg, and No. 1 Denison. He posted two complete-game victories vs. Concordia Texas and No. 2 Lynchburg, then went 7.2 innings with seven strikeouts as ETBU broke No. 1 Denison's 44-game win streak. In five postseason starts, including the ASC Tournament, he had 36 strikeouts. He was also named All-Region First Team for both ABCA and D3baseball.com. For the year, he went 10-1 with a 3.69 ERA in 15 games started, recording 110 strikeouts in 102.1 innings pitched.
 
"I am just pumped for this next journey and super thankful to ETBU for allowing me to shine bright and get this opportunity. All glory to God as HE has always had a plan for my life," said Thornton.
 
ETBU went 40-13 playing in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament, won the NCAA Division III Lynchburg, Va., Super Regional and Marshall, Texas, Regional Tournaments, and was the 2026 ASC Regular Season and Tournament Champions. They finished the year ranked No. 3 in the D3baseball.com and ABCA final polls.