FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Courtesy of LA Tech Media Relations
RUSTON — Louisiana Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux announced on Tuesday the signing of five high school seniors and one junior college transfer to national letters of intent.
This year’s signing class includes outfielder Tyler Boss, third baseman Sam Landis, pitcher Trevor Petersen, second baseman/shortstop Taylor Terrasas, pitcher/first baseman Philip Menou and pitcher Josh Barrett.
“We signed some quality arms and some quality position athletes that will be able to come in and help us right away,” Simoneaux said. “I am looking forward to the players working hard and proving themselves for a position on our team.”
Five of the six players are from Texas, including Boss (Klein HS), Landis (Klein HS), Petersen (Hallsville HS), Terrasas (Santa Fe HS) and junior college transfer Barrett (McLennan CC). They join Louisiana native Menou (Sam Houston HS) in the 2009-2010 class.
Boss (6-3, 195) will help patrol the outfield for the Bulldogs. The native of Spring, Texas has lettered two years for the Tigers, is a National and Latin Honor Society member, and recently was captain of his football team.
“After I visited Tech, I loved the college environment and the town of Ruston,” Boss said. “Kyle (Roliard) also gave me insight on the school and the baseball program.” Boss and Roliard were teammates at Klein High School two years ago.
“I know I can bring a good bat and good speed to the lineup. I will also provide leadership regardless of whether or not I am on the field.”
Landis, a 6-1 third baseman, is also from Spring, Texas. Landis along with fellow signee Boss and current Tech player Roliard were a part of the Klein High School baseball team when they won district in 2007. Landis has also contributed outside the classroom by serving all four years as a member on the school’s student council.
“Once I visited Ruston and Louisiana Tech, I knew it was the best environment for me,” Landis said. “Everyone was friendly, and I could tell just based on the coaches that they offered a good baseball program.
“I am going to give 110%. If I hit a double, I am going to run hard. If I hit a ground out, I am going to run just as hard. I want to help my teammates out and do whatever I can to help the team.”
Petersen will add another arm to the Bulldog pitching staff beginning in 2009. The 6-3, 225-pound righty has experienced a great deal of success on the diamond. He has received numerous individual awards, including Harrison and Marion County Player of the Year and Texas Sports Writers Association Pitcher of the Year as a junior.
“The coaches at Tech and the successful baseball program influenced my decision to sign,” Petersen said. “I know I can bring a good, quality arm to the team. I also want to have the opportunity to win the WAC.”
Roliard influenced another Texan in Terrasas. The 5-10 second baseman and shortstop has lettered three years at Santa Fe High School. Recently, his talents on the field translated into an invitation to play in the 2008 Area Code Games in California with the Cincinnati Reds.
“Kyle showed me around the campus and gave me insight on the school and the baseball program,” Terrasas said. “The campus is also close to home and that played a part in my decision as well. I consider myself a leader and hope to bring my leadership to the team by encouraging and helping my teammates.”
Barrett, a right handed pitcher, is the most experienced of the signees after playing one year at McLennan Community College. In his freshman season, he recorded two wins, two saves, 55 strikeouts and had the fewest walks in the region. As a reward for his season, he participated in the Texas-New Mexico Junior College All-Star Game.
“Louisiana Tech has a good baseball program that I wanted to be a part of,” Barrett said. “I want to help them win and meet their goals. I am a leader, and I would like to help lead the pitching staff.”
Menou, a pitcher/first baseman, leads the signees in stature at 6-5. The native of Moss Bluff, La. has been awarded first team all-district as a pitcher for three straight years. He was also awarded first team all-state by the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association.
“Louisiana Tech was the best fit for me,” Menou said. “I loved the campus, the baseball program, and the coaches. I am a hard worker and have been told I am a leader.”
Tech tentatively opens the 2009 campaign on Friday, Feb. 20 versus Grambling State University at 6:00 p.m. at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park. To purchase season tickets, Bulldog fans can call the Tech ticket office at (318) 257-3631 or visit www.LaTechsports.com.
Signee Bios
Josh Barrett
RHP, 6-0, 180
Spring, Texas (McLennan CC/Spring HS)
2007 (McLennan): Lettered one year with one year remaining at McLennan Community College under coach Pete Mejia…Appeared in 22 games…Was 2-4 with two saves, a .363 ERA and 55 strikeouts…Had fewest walks in region…Appeared in the Texas-New Mexico Junior College All-Star Game.
High School: Lettered two years at Spring High School under coach Doug Rush…Won first team all-district senior year and second team all-district junior year…Participated in the Houston Area All-Star Game.
Personal: Full name is Joshua Michael Barrett…Son of Mike and Cheryl Barrett…Has two sisters, Jenna and Shelly…Goes by Josh…Born February 22, 1989 in Houston, Texas.
Tyler Boss
Outfield, 6-3, 195
Spring, Texas (Klein HS)
High School: Lettered two years with one year remaining at Klein High School under coach Barry Smith…Attended same high school as Tech pitcher and outfielder Kyle Roliard…Was a part of Klein’s baseball team along with Tech signee Sam Landis when they won district their junior year…Awarded Newcomer of the District and third team all-greater Houston as a junior…As a junior and as a senior, he played varsity football…Named to first team all-district as a safety and second team all-district as a wide receiver…Captained football team his senior year…Participated in the army combine and was named to the Randy Rogers 2008 All-Academic Team for football…Nominated for the Houston 5A 2008 baseball team…Member of the National Honor Society and Latin Honor Society…Played summer ball with the Houston Banditos under Ray DeLeon.
Personal: Son of Darrell and Debbie Boss…Has one sister, Lindsey…Born May 28, 1991 in Houston, Texas.
Sam Landis
3B, 6-1, 200
Spring, Texas (Klein HS)
High School: Lettered two years with one year remaining at Klein High School under coach Barry Smith…Attended same high school as Tech pitcher and outfielder Kyle Roliard…Was a part of Klein’s baseball team along with Tech signee Tyler Boss when they won district their junior year…Also won first team all-district and first team all-Houston as a junior…Has been a part of Klein’s student council all four years…Member of the National Honor Society…Played summer ball with the Houston Banditos under coach Ray DeLeon.
Personal: Full name is Samuel Landis…Son of Steve and Jill Landis…Goes by Sam…Born Dec. 9, 1991 in Houston, Texas.
Philip Menou
Pitcher/1B, 6-5, 215
Moss Bluff, La. (Sam Houston HS)
High School: Lettered three years with one year remaining at Sam Houston High School under coach Brad Book…Was a part of his high school team when they won District 4-4A…Awarded first team all-district as a pitcher for three straight years…Recipient of district MVP his junior season…Honored with All-Southwest Louisiana Big Schools Pitcher award and all-state honorable mention…Also awarded first team all-state by the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association…Played football as a freshmen and as a sophomore…Played summer ball with the Golden Triangle Yellow Jackets under coaches Chris Fackler and Sam Moor.
Personal: Full name is Philip Jules Menou…Son of Jules and Suzanne Menou…Has one sister, Stephanie…Born Sept. 25, 1990 in Lake Charles, La.
Trevor Petersen
RHP, 6-3, 215
Hallsville, Texas (Hallsville HS)
High School: Lettered three seasons with one year remaining at Hallsville High School under coach Scott Mitchell…Was a part of his high school team when they won district his junior year…As a pitcher during his sophomore year, he was second team all-district and all-east Texas honorable mention…As a junior, he was named MVP for district 12-4A, awarded third team all-state as a pitcher, first team all-east Texas as a first baseman, Harrison and Marion County Player of the Year and the Texas Sports Writers Association Pitcher of the Year…Played one season of football during his senior year…Played summer ball with the Dallas Bat under former Texas Ranger, Rusty Greer.
Personal: Full name is Trevor Gregg Petersen…Son of Jason and Brenda Petersen…Has one brother, Brandon and one sister, Amanda…Born August 19, 1990 in Longview, Texas.
Taylor Terrasas
2B/SS, 5-10, 165
Santa Fe, Texas (Santa Fe HS)
High School: Lettered three years with one year remaining at Santa Fe High School under coach Ronnie Wulf…Won first team all-district and first team all-county his junior year…Played summer ball with the Southeast Texas Sun Devils under coach Matt Thompson…Participated in the 2008 Area Code Games in California with the Cincinnati Reds.
Personal: Full name is Taylor James Terrasas…Son of Rudy and Marilyn Terrasas…Has two brothers, Ryan and Trey…Born July 24, 1991 in Pasadena, Texas.
