CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -- Two weeks ago, Campbellsville University catcher Richie Rowland had just received word he'd have a chance to sign as a free agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The phone call was the starting point of living out a childhood dream of playing professional baseball with his younger brother Robby, who was drafted by Arizona in the third round of the MLB Draft June 8.

"It's going to be amazing. It' something we've talked about our whole life. It's one of those things you talk about your whole life but you never imagine it will happen. It's just surreal. We're all on cloud nine," Richie said the day he signed.

Late Thursday night, June 24, Rowland's dream became more surreal, as he received his first professional start as designated hitter for the Rookie League Missoula (Mont.) Ospreys on the road against the Helena Brewers. Rowland, who was 0-for-1 in a pinch hit debut two days prior, ripped three singles in four trips to the plate to lead the Osprey's offense and become only the third Osprey to have three hits in a game this season.

"It felt like a great dream," Rowland said. "When I got the first hit, and was standing on first base, I felt like I was gonna cry. I mean it was a dream come true, and having three hits in your pro debut makes it even sweeter. It was also pretty nice having your little brother cheering you on ... You couldn't write it in a book any better than this."

Well, maybe you can.

Rowland's brother, a 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher who had committed to Oregon, is playing on the same team. While Robby has yet to pitch, they'll have the chance to possible throw bullpen together or one day have Rowland behind the plate as Robby takes the mound for his pro debut ... just as they imagined as kids in their back yard.

"It's phenomenal for us," said their father and former pro catcher, Rich. "We anticipated them going different directions … We're happy to just have them both playing and we're fortunate to have them both on the same squad. It works great for us and I think it will work well for Arizona, because I built them to be the battery."

Rowland, while now living the pro dream, said it was not easy to forgo his senior year with Campbellsville, especially after winning the Mid-South Conference Gold Glove award as a catcher and leading the team's offense in hitting (.372), RBIs (61) and home runs (11).

"It was tough," Rowland said. "It's like I told Coach (Beauford) Sanders, after spending a year with that program and being with Coach Sanders, Coach (Chris) Lewis, Coach (Randy) LeBleu and Coach (Scott) Hortness, and seeing what they're all about and having been a part of that team and chemistry it was really going to take a legit deal to be pulled away."

Sanders knew if a family package deal was offered by a pro team, it was a no-brainer for the Rowlands.