November 23, 2010

Mercer Signs 14 Standouts to National Letters of Intent

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer baseball program received 14 signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, as announced on Tuesday morning by head coach Craig Gibson. Aided by assistant coaches Brent Shade, Justin Holmes and Eddie Burns, the 2011 recruiting class includes eight pitchers and six position players who will enroll at Mercer in the fall of 2011.

 

“We are very excited and proud of the 14 newcomers who have committed to Mercer as part of our 2011 recruiting class,” said Gibson. “We believe this group can keep our program at a championship level as we continue to build on last season’s success. It is a long process to find the right fit and the right type of student-athlete, but it will be very rewarding to be around these guys everyday and watch them contribute to our program starting next fall.”

 

The Bears latest recruiting class consists of six right-handed pitchers, two left-handed pitchers, three middle infielders, one outfielder, a catcher and first baseman. The Orange and Black tapped into the state’s talent rich baseball pool, with 12 of the 14 signees hailing from Georgia. Six of the Mercer signees are also ranked as Top-1,000 prospects in the nation according to the PerfectGame.org National Rankings.

 

2011 Mercer Baseball Signees

Eric Nyquist

Position: Right-handed pitcher
Hometown: Alpharetta, Ga.
High School: Alpharetta High School

 

What they are saying about Nyquist:

“Eric is a high energy bulldog on the mound, who wants the ball when the game is on the line.  He can start or come out of the bullpen and be very effective.  He is one of the best pitchers in the state and will make a huge impact for us.”

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

 

“Eric is a very intense pitcher with a strong presence on the mound. He loves to be in the big game and won’t back down from any challenge. He is a big strong pitcher who can dominate a game as evidenced by his 1^st Team All-Region selection last season.”

Steve Bohn- Head Baseball Coach Alpharetta High School

 

           

Dimitri Kourtis

Position: Right-handed pitcher
Hometown: Milton, Ga.
High School: Alpharetta High School

 

What they are saying about Kourtis:

“Dimitri reminds me a lot of current sophomore Matt McCall in that he is very skilled and has an electric three-quarter arm slot. His deception and pinpoint control makes him difficult for anyone to hit. When all is said and done, we expect Dimitri to be one of the best pitchers to ever come through Mercer.” 

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

 

“Outstanding pitcher with intense spirit to win that doesn’t let anything affect him on the mound. His pitches have a ton of movement and he locates them well which led to great success and a 1^st Team All-Region selection. His demeanor and ability will be a plus for the Bears.” 

Steve Bohn- Head Baseball Coach Alpharetta High School

 

 

Kevin Werner

Position: Right-handed pitcher
Hometown: Sharpsburg, Ga.
High School: East Coweta High School

 

What they are saying about Werner:

“Every time Kevin pitches you know you will be in the ball game. Kevin is strike throwing machine with four quality pitches. He is very athletic kid that can repeat his mechanics and field his position well. We expect him to win many games for us.”  

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

 

“Kevin has been an outstanding pitcher for us here at East Coweta and helped us win the region championship in each of the last two seasons. He has great command of all of his pitches and knows how to win big games against tough opponents.”  

Franklin Deloach- Head Baseball Coach East Coweta High School

 

 

Ben Lumsden

Position: Right-handed pitcher
Hometown: Dallas, Ga.
High School: Hillgrove High School

 

What they are saying about Lumsden:

“Ben has made great strides and has turned himself into one of the best pitchers in the southeast.  Ben was on everyone’s radar this summer as a Top-50 recruit in the state of Georgia and we are very fortunate he chose us. He is a super competitive kid who is very comparable to former All-American Andrew Urena who pitched at Mercer in 2005.”   

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

 

“Ben is a very physically talented pitcher who gets a lot of arm side sink to his fastball and has a plus changeup. Ben is a good character kid and an excellent student who should be a big asset to the Mercer baseball program very quickly.”

David Richardson- Head Baseball Coach Hillgrove High School

 

 

Dawson Brown

Position: Right-handed pitcher
Hometown: McDonough, Ga.
High School: Locust Grove High School

 

What they are saying about Brown:

“Once we set our eyes on Dawson this summer we knew he was the right type of guy for us. We think Dawson is the steal of this class because of his unlimited potential. Dawson has the pitchers body that everyone wants and his skill level gets better and better every time out. We believe Dawson will be in the mix early on for us on the mound.”     

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

 

“Dawson is a great young man that loves to play baseball. He is the kind of kid that wants the baseball every day and in any situation. He developed into a go-to-guy for us and was selected as the pitcher of the year in our region as a result of his continued development. Mercer has added an outstanding pitcher to their staff.”  

Stephen Phillips- Head Baseball Coach Locust Grove High School

 

 

Mitchell Wade

Position: Right-handed pitcher
Hometown: Powders Spring, Ga.
High School: Hillgrove High School

 

What they are saying about Wade:

“Mitchell has been on our recruiting board every since he came to team camp two years ago.  Side arm pitchers are a necessity in our program and are very hard for opponents to match up against. Senior J.T. Odom will be graduating this spring and we expect Mitchell to step right in his place. His changeup is going to be a pitch that will give right-handed hitters and lefties fits.”   

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

 

“Mitchell is a very mentally tough kid with great character. He loves to pitch in adverse situations because of his great mental toughness and work ethic. His sidearm delivery creates lots of arm side, run and sink on his fastball. However, Mitchell's biggest weapon is A+ changeup from his arm slot.”  

David Richardson- Head Baseball Coach Hillgrove High School

 

 

Morgan Pittman

Position: Left-handed pitcher
Hometown: Newnan, Ga.
High School: East Coweta High School

 

What they are saying about Pittman:

“Morgan might be pound-for-pound the most skilled pitcher in Georgia. His skill level and feel for three pitches at anytime makes him almost impossible to hit. Morgan has a true 12-to-6 curve ball that lefties hate. We have been looking for a pitcher like Morgan for a long time and we finally got him.”

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

 

“Morgan is an excellent athlete on the mound and thrives in big situations. He possesses an outstanding change up and breaking pitch from the left side. He has helped lead us to back-to-back region championships and for his efforts earned a spot on the 2010 East Coweta All-County Team.”

Franklin Deloach- Head Baseball Coach East Coweta High School

 

 

Grant Papelian

Position: Left-handed pitcher
Hometown: Marietta, Ga.
High School: Pope High School

 

What they are saying about Papelian:

“Grant plays in one of the toughest regions in the country and this past spring he earned an All- Region selection. Grant was a high priority for us being a left-handed starting pitcher. His changeup is devastating and creates a lot of ground balls, so he will be in good hands here with sophomore Evan Boyd and freshman DJ Johnson behind him.”

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

 

“Grant is a crafty left hander that loves to compete. He has a bulldog mentality and wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line.”

Geoff Rowland- Head Baseball Coach Pope High School

 

 

Seth Mann

Position: Third Baseman
Hometown: Tifton, Ga.
High School: Tift County High School

 

What they are saying about Mann:

“Seth is a hitting machine that can square anyone up he faces. Seth will give us a bat from the right side that we can count on to produce every day. President Underwood always talks about winners in the classroom and on the field; Seth is everything our president wants and more.”     

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

 

“Seth has been a big part of our program for four years now. His baseball talents speak for themselves, but he is one of our hardest workers and best team players. We think he made a great decision in attending Mercer University and we are looking forward to following his progress there after his senior year with Tift County.”

Chuck Beale- Head Baseball Coach Tift County High School

 

 

CJ Reed

Position: Outfielder
Hometown: Kennesaw, Ga.
High School: Kennesaw Mountain High School

 

What they are saying about Reed:

“We have followed CJ for three years and the best word to describe him is consistent. He is a professional hitter and his approach to the game is way beyond other players at his position. CJ is rated not only one of the 10 best players in the state, but one of the Top-200 talents in the country. We look forward to CJ making an impact immediately for our club.”

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

 

“CJ Reed is all of the best things that Kennesaw Mountain strives to instill into its students: loyalty, commitment, and a passion for excellence.”

George Hanson- Head Baseball Coach Kennesaw Mountain High School

 

 

Grayson Smith

Position: Utility Infielder
Hometown: Aiken, S.C.
High School: South Aiken High School

 

What they are saying about Smith:

“Grayson is a middle infielder that led his team in hitting and helped the squad to a runner-up finish in the state tournament last season. Grayson will add athleticism to our teams and we look for him to get on the bases and cause some havoc for our opponents with his great speed.”  

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

 

“I feel that Grayson has developed into a Division I student-athlete due to his desire to excel as baseball player, but more importantly by being a leader in the classroom.”

Bob Polewski- Head Baseball Coach South Aiken High School

 

 

David Reid-Foley

Position: Catcher
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
Junior College: South Georgia College

 

What they are saying about Reid-Foley:

“David helped South Georgia to 40 wins last year and was an All-Conference second team selection last year as a freshman. David’s hands are very soft and pitchers really like throwing to him. His defensive ability and left-handed bat made him the right choice for us.”

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University                                             

                                                                                                                          

“David was an All-Conference performer for us as a true freshman last season. Hit .341 with one home run, 31 RBI and 22 runs scored as our starting catcher. He has a great passion for the game and always plays it with a smile on his face.”

Scott Sims- Head Baseball Coach South Georgia College

*Reid-Foley on left in picture above                             

 

 

Logan Gaines

Position: Utility Player
Hometown: Augusta, Ga.
Junior College: South Georgia College

What they are saying about Gaines:

“Logan is a utility guy that can play multiply positions in the outfield and infield. His unselfishness and makeup is hard to find in kids and we found it in Logan. Logan’s bat sets him apart from other junior college kids in the state and we think he can be a game changer in the batter’s box and on the base paths.”  

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

                                                                                                                           

“Logan hit .361 with eight home runs, 55 RBI and 59 runs scored last season. He stole 18 bases while leading the team with 19 doubles and 28 walks as a freshman last season. Logan is a duel threat talent and we are excited for him and know he will be an impact player for the Mercer program.”

Scott Sims- Head Baseball Coach South Georgia College     

*Gaines on right in picture above                     

 

 

Jamie McMillan

Position: First Baseman
Hometown: Forsyth, Ga.
Junior College: Georgia Perimeter College

 

What they are saying about McMillan:

“We will lose some left handed pop in our line-up after this spring and Jamie will be instantly counted upon to fill that need for us. Jamie is the best power left handed hitting bat in the state in our eyes. He has hit at every level and every team he has been a part of wins and we want guys who know how to win.”  

Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University

 

“Mercer is getting one of the best hitters in Georgia junior college baseball. Jamie is what I would call “country strong” in that he can hit the ball out of any park in the country. He is also a great two-strike hitter because of his ability to hit the ball to the opposite field.”

Danny Blue- Head Baseball Coach Georgia Perimeter College