Head Coach Mark Scalf -UNC-Wilimington- Courtesy: Bob Lloyd
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
WILMINGTON, N.C. – UNC Wilmington head baseball coach Mark Scalf has announced the signings of Michael Bass, Tyler DeLoach, Will Edgerton, Hunter Ridge, Blaze Tart and Tom Timoney to continue their studies and play for the Seahawks in 2009-10.
“We’re excited about each one of these players who have made the commitment to our program,” said Scalf. “This is a very baseball savvy group of players and we feel like we’ve been able to fill our needs on the mound and infield as well as the outfield. Each one of these young men is a very good athlete and has performed well on the field and in the classroom.”
Bass (Fairmont, N.C./Fairmont) is an infielder who earned 2A All-State honors as a junior at Fairmont High School. Bass was named Southeastern Conference Player-of-the-Year after hitting .402, with 35 runs scored for the Golden Tornadoes, who reached the state playoffs for the first time since 1993. He competed in the State Games of North Carolina, where he hit .555 with a pair of doubles and three stolen bases for the Region 4 team. Bass is ranked 33rd overall in the state by Impact baseball, while Perfect Game Crosschecker has him ranked 1198 nationally.
Academically, Bass ranks number one in his class and was the state Wendy’s Heisman Award winner for academics and athletics. He is one of six finalist, for the high school Heisman Award, who will visit downtown Manhattan for the Heisman Trophy Award presentation to the top collegiate football player in the nation.
“Michael brings great baseball awareness to the program. He has the ability to be a top of the order guy with his speed and athletic ability,” Scalf said.
DeLoach (Roanoke Rapids, N.C./Roanoke Rapids) is a left-handed pitcher who fashioned a 6-0 mark and a 0.54 earned run average as a junior for the Yellow Jackets. DeLoach helped guide Roanoke Rapids to the second round of the 2A state playoffs by striking out 61 batters in 26 innings. For his efforts, he was named to the Northern Carolina All-Conference squad. As a sophomore, DeLoach struck out an impressive 70 batters in 45 innings. Perfect Game Crosschecker has DeLoach ranked 19th in the state of North Carolina and 378th nationally. Impact Baseball ranks DeLoach 31st on its top seniors in the state.
“Tyler adds quality depth to the left side of our pitching staff. While he’s still developing as a pitcher, he can serve as a starter or situational reliever.”
Edgerton (Kenly, N.C./C.B. Aycock) hit .405 and stole 20 bases while playing outfield for the Falcons. Edgerton earned Eastern Carolina All-Conference honors after leading C.B. Aycock to its second straight conference tournament crown. The speedy outfielder collected 14 doubles, hit five home runs and drove in 26 runs as a junior. He also played in the State Games of North Carolina in 2007 and 2008, hitting .333 and stealing seven bases. Edgerton is ranked 22nd among top prospects in the state of North Carolina and 425th overall in the nation. Impact Baseball lists Edgerton at 21st on the top seniors in the state.
According to Scalf, “Will is another player with a high baseball IQ. He really understands how to play the game and be successful in baseball. He runs well and that lends itself to the type of baseball we play.”
Ridge (Asheboro, N.C./South Western Randolph) hit .400 and belted 14 home runs for the Randolph County Legion team. Ridge was an All-County player for the Cougars, who qualified for the 3A state tournament. He batted .442 with 10 doubles, six homers and 23 runs batted in. As a sophomore, he hit .406 with 10 doubles, three home runs and 23 runs batted in just 64 at-bats. Ridge was ranked 11th on Impact Baseball’s top 50 seniors in North Carolina.
“Hunter is definitely one of the top hitters in the southeast region. He has the potential to step in and help us at either of the corner infield positions. ”
Tart (Durham, N.C./Pendleton Prep (Fla.)) will be a two-way threat for the Seahawks. Tart served as the closer for the Panthers and recorded nine saves and a 1.21 earned run average in 20 innings pitched. Tart allowed just eight hits and walked five while striking out 41. At the plate, he hit .395 with 12 doubles and 24 RBI. Tart is the highest ranked incoming freshman for the Seahawks, according to Perfect Game Crosschecker. He is ranked ninth in the state of North Carolina and 179 nationally.
“Blaze has above average arm strength and breaking ball that really separates him from others. His love for the game fuels his work ethic and tenacity,” added Scalf.
Rounding out UNCW’s signees is Timoney (Dallas, Texas/Mercersburg Academy), a right-handed pitcher. Timoney went 3-4 with a 2.06 ERA in 44 innings for the Blue Storm. He fanned 57 batters while allowing just 25 hits. Timoney led All-Star Baseball Academy this summer at the World Wood Bat Association 17U national championships in East Cobb, Ga. He also led the team to a third-place finish this fall at the World Wood Bat Championships in Jupiter, Fla. PG Crosschecker has Timoney ranked 22nd in the state of Pennsylvania and 1330 nationally.
“First and foremost, I’m impressed with Tom’s maturity as a young man. He knows what he wants from baseball and his academics. He’s a tremendous competitor who should be able to come in and add depth to a quality pitching staff.”
The Seahawks open their 2009 season on Feb. 20, against Maryland.
