Eagles Add Nine to Baseball Signing Class
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. -- The Carson-Newman baseball team has added nine signees to the 2010 recruiting class, head coach Tom Griffin announced Tuesday.
July 8, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. -- The Carson-Newman baseball team has added nine signees to the 2010 recruiting class, head coach Tom Griffin announced Tuesday.
Four infielders, four pitchers and an outfielder have signed with the Eagles, joining fall signees Lance Reed (Johnson City, Tenn., C), Walker Bullington (Morristown, Tenn., C) and Lucas Watson (Gatlinburg, Tenn., RHP).
Philip Duncan (Knoxville, Tenn.), a versatile infielder from Karns High School, comes to C-N after batting .324 with four home runs and 17 RBIs last season for the Beavers. He also had a .420 on base percentage and 15 stolen bases.
"(Duncan) played for John Rice, who I coached with at Morristown East High School, so I know he knows how to play the game properly," Griffin said. "He is a good hitter, who can play all the infield positions."
Tyler Davis (Carrollton, Ga.) will join the Eagles after a solid senior season at Carrollton High School. Davis batted .408 and scored 40 runs last season. He was also a standout on the Carrollton basketball team as he earned District Player of the Year honors.
"Tyler is a very athletic player, who fits into our system well," Griffin said. "He's a good student and has great character and has been a solid leader in two sports."
Michael Gonzalez (Tampa, Fla.) will provide the Eagles with depth in the middle infield. During his senior year at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, Gonzalez had a .323 batting average and 23 stolen bases.
"(Gonzalez) is a very quick player who is strong defensively," Griffin said.
Joining Gonzalez in the infield will be Joey Schultz (Loudon, Tenn.), a standout from Loudon High School.
"He's a very strong hitter, who can provide power to our lineup at some point," Griffin said of Gonzalez. "He has a strong arm and is a tough kid."
A quartet of right-handed pitchers will be making their way to Mossy Creek.
Dylan Christian (Church Hill, Tenn.), who joins the C-N pitching staff after playing last season at Volunteer High School, struck out 34 batters in just 26 innings pitched in 2009.
"Dylan has a good curveball and makeup," Griffin said. "He should benefit from working with (C-N pitching coach) Matt Ward in the coming years."
Ryan Fillers (Greeneville, Tenn.) will be an Eagle after a strong senior campaign at Greeneville High School, where he was the Greene Devils' No. 1 starter. Fillers finished the year with a 2.49 earned run average and had 76 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched.
"Ryan is a good athlete, who starred in football as well," Griffin said. "He has a deceptive delivery and lots of movement on his fastball. Ryan has the mentality to be a closer for us."
Daniel Sharp (Johnson City, Tenn.), who played with Reed at Science Hill High School, compiled a 7-1 during his senior season with a 3.14 ERA and fanned 56 batters in 44 innings of work.
"(Sharp) has a good arm with a plus breaking pitch," Griffin said. "When he gains control of his fastball, he can provide valuable innings for us."
Cy Fraker (Indianapolis, Ind.) comes to C-N after playing two seasons at Vincennes University in Vincennes, Ind. Fraker went 6-1 with a 2.18 ERA and struck out 34 batters in eight starts for the Blazers in 2009.
"He's a big kid, who can eat up innings and provides experience to our staff," Griffin said.
Jon Dalton (Rutledge, Tenn.), the lone outfielder in the spring signing class, will bring power to the Eagles lineup. Dalton played the last two seasons for JUCO powerhouse Walters State Community College, where he had a .286 batting average with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs.
"He has always hit for power and played for one of the best junior colleges in the country," Griffin said. "He knows how to win."
The Eagles went 24-21 in 2009 and were 7-14 in the South Atlantic Conference.
