Head coach Scott Norwood added 10 players during November
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The UALR baseball team added 10 players during November’s early signing period, receiving National Letters-of-Intent from three high school and seven junior-college players. The Trojans added five pitchers, one catcher, three infielders and two outfielders, including Arkansas natives Tyler Cameron (El Dorado, Ark./Parkers Chapel HS), Kaleb Jobe (Bryant, Ark./Bryant HS) and Art Slaton (Hot Springs, Ark./Hot Springs Lakeside HS).
“I believe we added the recruits we need to make this a top tier program. We have brought in kids that will allow us to contend for the future. I anticipated where we will need talent next season and we filled those spots,” said UALR head coach Scott Norwood. “This class gives us an outstanding blend of players at various positions that will step in right away for the 2010 season.”
Below is a closer look at each of UALR’s 10 signees.
KALEB JOBE
5-10, 180 lbs., C // Bryant, Ark. (Bryant HS)
Jobe earned Second Team All-Area accolades from the Saline County Voice as a junior at Bryant High School after batting .342 with three home runs and 48 RBI.
Bryant HS head coach Kirk Bock on Jobe: “I have not had the opportunity to coach Kaleb on the field, but after seeing Kakeb play this summer and working with him in the fall, he has impressed me with his work ethic and baseball ability. I feel like he will be an asset to the UALR baseball program.”
Norwood on Jobe: “Kaleb is a strong left-handed hitting catcher, and comes from one of the better programs in the state.”
TYLER CAMERON
5-11, 165 lbs., P/UTIL // El Dorado, Ark. (Parkers Chapel HS)
Cameron earned 2A All-State honors from the AHSAA in 2008 after a junior season in which he went 6-2 with 24 hits allowed and 57 strikeouts over 42 innings of work. In addition to his work on the mound, Cameron batted .504 with six home runs and 35 stolen bases to help lead the Trojans to a 2A State Championship. Cameron chose UALR over Central Arkansas and TCU.
Parkers Chapel HS head coach Mark Looney on Cameron: “Tyler is one of the best all-around players I’ve ever coached. He has the ability to play any position on the field. He plays the game hard and he plays to win. He’s a tremendous competitor with a great passion for the game of baseball, and has great character on and off the field.”
Norwood on Cameron: “Tyler is a versatile kid that will help us on the mound and in the field. He comes from another school that has had great success.”
SCOTT KEFFER
6-1, 190 lbs., P // Overland Park, Kan. (Hutchinson CC)
Keffer went 6-1 and held opposing hitters to a .213 batting average as a freshman at Hutchinson (Kan.) CC. He threw three complete games for the Blue Dragons in 2008, while allowing 45 hits with 53 strikeouts over 57 innings of work. As a senior in 2007, Keffer led St. Thomas Aquinas (Kan.) High School to a state championship, earning All-State honors in the process. He chose UALR over Purdue and Evansville.
Hutchinson CC head coach Kyle Crookes on Keffer: “Scott is a talented young man that has won at every level. He is a quiet competitor that doesn’t get rattled in pressure situations and thus always gives himself a chance to succeed. His stuff has progressed throughout the course of his career. The scary thing about Scott is that he is tremendously talented on the field, but probably even more talented in the classroom.”
Norwood on Keffer: “Scott is someone we targeted very early in the recruiting process. He is one of the top arms in the Jayhawk conference.”
RYAN JURIS
6-2, 180 lbs., P // Bloomington, Ill. (Heartland CC)
As a freshman at Heartland CC, Juris compiled an 8-0 record and held opposing hitters to a .223 batting average to earn First Team All-MWAC, Division II All-District and Division II All-Region XXIV honors. In 55 innings, Juris racked up 54 strikeouts and allowed only 47 hits. Juris was also recruited heavily by Northern Illinois and Creighton.
Heartland CC head coach Nate Metzger on Juris: “Ryan is a strike thrower. He competes and has a presence on the mound. He just really pitches with command and composure.”
Norwood on Juris: “Ryan is a left-handed arm that knows how to get people out. He will compete for a spot in our rotation.”
CODY GILLES
6-3, 200 lbs., INF // Bloomington, Ill. (Heartland CC)
Gilles was named First Team All-MWAC as a freshman at Heartland CC after batting .412 with 13 home runs and 64 RBI in 2008. A teammate of fellow Trojan signee Ryan Juris, Gilles was also recruited by Bradley, Indiana State and Illinois State.
Metzger on Gilles: “Cody is big, strong and physical. He’s a middle of the order type guy.”
Norwood on Gilles: “I am very excited that Cody chose UALR. He has some explosive pop in his bat and will be a big part of our success here.”
ZACH RAGSDALE
5-10, 165 lbs., OF // Crandall, Texas (North Central Texas College)
Ragsdale batted .352 with four homers and 30 RBI in his first season at North Central Texas College. A multi-positional player, Ragsdale played in the Texas-New Mexico All-Star game and was an All-State performer in high school.
NCTC head coach Scott Harp on Ragsdale: “Zach is the perfect definition of a competitor. I don’t want to use the word ‘gamer’ because he practices just as hard as he plays. He worked his way into an everyday spot in the line-up. He can play multiple positions, runs exceptionally well, and he can hit. He is an example of why coaching at a junior college is hard, because you hate to only coach players like him for two years. You wish you could work with him for four.”
Norwood on Ragsdale: “Zach can do multiple things for us with his ability to play in the infield or outfield. He is a 6.6 runner so he will be an added threat on the base paths as well.”
JAKE ROWELL
5-11, 190 lbs., INF // Orange, Texas (Angelina College)
As a freshman at Angelina College, Rowell hit .347 with eight home runs and 34 RBI to help lead the Roadrunners to a 34-18 record. A prep standout at Little Cypress-Mauriceville HS, Rowell batted .548 with 11 homers and 52 RBI as a senior to earn First Team All-State and Southeast Texas most valuable player honors. In addition, Rowell was named First Team All-District, All-Orange Leader and Super Gold Team for three-consecutive seasons. The 5-11 infielder chose UALR over TCU, Texas State and Sam Houston State.
Angelina head coach Jeff Livin on Rowell: “Jake is one of the hardest workers I have ever had. He is a great all-around kid that is very versatile. He is a middle of a line-up guy with a great mentality and approach.”
Norwood on Rowell: “Jake is a left-handed stick with some big time thump in it. He is a relentless worker and comes from a great junior college program.”
TRAVIS HENKE
6-6, 230 lbs., P // Jefferson City, Mo. (Jefferson College)
Henke compiled a 6-1 record in his first season at Jefferson College, racking up 54 strikeouts over 54 innings pitched. The 6-6 right hander threw three complete games and held opposing hitters to a .239 batting average. As a prep, Henke was a two-time Missouri 2A Pitcher of the Year and earned All-State, All-District and All-Conference accolades each of his four years. He was also heavily recruited by Arkansas State.
Jefferson College head coach Sam Carel on Henke: “Travis has been a valuable asset for two years in our program. The intent that he has put forth in his work has enabled him to enjoy the success that has made him a winner. His commitment to excellence is non-negotiable, and will prove to be the driving force in his success for years to come.”
Norwood on Henke: “Travis is a 6’6’’ right-handed pitcher that has big time potential. He had a great freshman year at Jefferson College and we look for him to continue that success here.”
JASON HOUSTON
6-0, 170 lbs., INF // Kansas City, Mo. (Fort Scott CC)
In his first season at Fort Scott CC, Houston earned First Team All-Region and First Team All-Conference honors after batting .408 with 12 doubles, three home runs and 23 stolen bases. Houston’s work in the classroom was also recognized, as he was named Academic All-America.
Fort Scott CC head coach John Hill on Houston: “Jason is a great fit for the direction of the baseball program at UALR. In addition to being an Academic All-American, he will be one of the best players, if not the best player in our region and loves to compete. He will be a big part of the continued excitement that is being instilled at UALR, and will continue to excel both on the field and in the classroom.”
Norwood on Houston: “Jason is a 6.6 runner that also has good power. He is someone we are very excited to have here at UALR.”
ART SLATON
6-1, 180 lbs., P // Hot Springs, Ark. (Hot Springs Lakeside HS)
As a junior at Hot Springs Lakeside HS, Slaton went 4-3 with a 1.28 earned run average over 71 innings pitched, allowing just 43 hits on the year.
Hot Springs Lakeside HS head coach JR Folds on Slaton: “Art is a team leader who leads by example of hard work and respect for the game. As a pitcher Art had a great ability to adjust over the course of a game, to counter the hitter’s adjustments. When he goes to the mound we know we will get a solid outing and a chance to win the game.”
Norwood on Slaton: “Art reminds me of current Trojan Alex Smith. He has great potential to help us on the mound.”
