AIKEN, S.C. – University of South Carolina Aiken 14th-year head baseball coach Kenny Thomas announced the addition of 14 to the 2014 Pacer baseball roster on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012.
The signing class includes 10 prep singings along with four junior college additions.
"These 14 signees are the most we have ever signed in the early period, which means great things for the future of USCA Baseball," noted Thomas. "Coach Walck and the other assistants have worked extremely hard on this class, that may be called one of the best we've ever signed. With seven pitchers and seven position players signed, we have covered all areas and built a great foundation for the future.
"November early signing period has become very important in the recruiting process and the tireless hours we have spent will hopefully payoff someday. There are some big-time recruits in the class and Pacer fans will enjoy seeing them play in 2014."
The 14 newcomers will join a tradition-rich USC Aiken baseball program that was ranked 20th in the final 2012 Collegiate Baseball Newspaper NCAA Division II Poll.
The Pacers were ranked inside the top-30 in the final 16 national polls. The final ranking of 20th marked the first time since 2009 that the Pacers had appeared in the final national rankings.
The Pacers concluded their 2012 season with a 37-18 record. USC Aiken was ranked as high as third nationally in the 2012 season.
USC Aiken earned at least 30 wins for the 11th time in the past 13 seasons.
For the ninth straight year, USC Aiken will play its first three-game series of the year against Lincoln Memorial.
The familiar foes will commence their 2013 campaigns at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1 at the 'Bert. The three-game series between the Pacers and Railsplitters will end with single 1 p.m. games on Saturday, Feb. 2 and Sunday, Feb. 3. USC Aiken owns a 25-13 all-time series advantage over Lincoln Memorial.
Pitchers
Jordan Brown will join the Pacers as a right-handed pitcher out of North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Ga.
Thomas notes that Brown is a "big, strong, hard-throwing 6-foot-7 pitcher that could prove to be a dominating force for the Pacers."
Abe Cartledge will rejoin the Pacers in the 2014 season. Cartledge, who owned a 2-0 record in 13 appearances for USC Aiken in the 2012 season, is spending the 2013 season with Georgia Perimeter.
The left-handed pitcher of Thomson, Ga. is someone that Coach Thomas is "very excited to have back in the program. He was very good as a freshman and should be even better when he arrives as a junior."
Clayton Coatney will join the Pacer baseball program out of Wayne County High School in Odum, Ga. He is a right-handed pitcher.
"Clayton transferred from Michigan to the Georgia system for his senior year," remarked Thomas. "He is a very strong, physical guy who competes like none other and throws in the 90s."
A left-handed pitcher out of Milton High School in Alpharetta, Ga., Zack Eller according to Thomas is "crafty with great command of all three pitches."
Hunter Hubbard is a native of nearby Martinez, Ga. The Lakeside High School product is a right-handed pitcher.
"Great local pick-up for us," noted Thomas. "He has come on very strong the past year and has emerged as one of the top pitchers in the Augusta, Ga. area."
A right-handed pitcher out of Christian Brothers High School in Germantown, Tenn., Brandon Wilhelm according to Thomas is "another physical, 6-foot-6 top-of-the-line right-handed pitcher. He helped pitched his team to a state championship last year."
Nick Yobbi is a right-handed pitcher out of South Park High School in South Park, Pa.
"Nick comes to us as the state regional pitcher of the year as a junior," said Thomas. "He has great movement on the fastball with a plus breaking ball."
Position Players
Dalton Addy comes to USC Aiken as an infielder out of Lexington High School in Lexington, S.C.
"Smooth fielding infielder that could play all spots," remarked Thomas. "He comes from a traditionally-rich high school program."
A local product out of South Aiken High School, Cory Bryant is an infielder.
"Very dependable middle infielder, with slick hands and good range," said Thomas. "He also comes from one of the top high school programs in the state."
Nick Goings is set to join the USC Aiken baseball program out of Osborne High School in Marietta, Ga. According to Thomas the outfielder "is a big-time athlete, that runs and hits with power. This is a big-time pick up for us out of Georgia."
Another local product of North Augusta High School, JoJo Higgenbottom is a first baseman that according to Thomas "could be a great hitter someday. He is big and strong with legit power. He has a good understanding of the game."
Latron Hunter will make his way to the USC Aiken baseball program out of Southern Union Junior College. The Augusta, Ga. native is an outfielder who according to Thomas is a "big, physical, corner outfielder who should be a middle of the order hitter for us. Displays great power and athleticism."
Randy Luckett is an outfielder who will join the Pacers out of USC Lancaster. The Lexington, S.C. native according to Thomas is a "great hitter, with potential to hit at top of the order. He will come to us very experienced as one of the top junior college hitters in South Carolina."
Max Schoen is a catcher out of Lamar Junior College. The Loveland, Colo. native according to Thomas is an "experienced junior college catcher with great defensive skills. He continues our tradition of getting quality players out of Colorado."
