head coach Jeff Waggoner- Marshall University
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall University baseball program recently signed six players to National Letters of Intent and added a pair of walk-ons to the roster for the 2010 season.
“With the losses of Lape, Yeager and Casamassima, we knew we had to be athletic,” Thundering Herd head coach Jeff Waggoner stated. “All six signees are 6.9 runners or better, which brings us some added speed to next year’s team. The class also provides added left-handed hitting to offset Conference USA bullpens which has been a problem in our first two seasons.”
Marshall’s incoming infielders include Kristopher Hecktor, Joe Henderson, James Lavinkas and Jon Pellant. Hecktor is a 6-foot-0-inch infielder from Batavia High School. Hecktor registered a .468 batting average in 2008 and was an all-city first team selection. The Batavia, Ohio native was also a member of the 2008 Southern Buckeye Conference First Team, and also played summer ball for the prestigious Cincinnati Midland program.
“Hecktor gives us a quality middle guy that is a plus swinger from the left side,” Waggoner said.
Henderson is a 6-foot-3-inch infielder/RHP walk-on from Overhills High School. The Spring Lake, N.C. native was named team MVP in 2008 and Offensive Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006. Henderson played summer ball at IMG Baseball Academy for four seasons (2005-08) in Bradenton, Fla.
“Joe is a talented athlete who can swing it from both sides,” Waggoner stated. “We feel Joe will be able to provide us with a little more depth in the infield.”
Lavinkas, is a 6-foot-0-inch infielder originally from Montreal, Quebec is attending Seminole State Junior College.
“James brings experience and a great attitude to the table,” Waggoner explained. “He comes from a big-time JUCO that has produced great players and we feel that he will be added to that list. He should hit in the middle of our lineup.”
Pellant, a 5-foot-10-inch Chandler, Ariz. native, rounds out the incoming infielders. Pellant attends Corona Del Sol High School. He is a member of the Chicago White Sox Area-Code Team, and played Area Code games in Long Beach, Calif. He was a 2007 and 2008 First Team All-Central Region Defensive Back and First Team All-Tempe Defensive Back selection.
“Pellant is a high intensity guy that will be a great addition,” Waggoner said. “We expect him to take over up the middle for Yeager. He is a `throwback’ player with great energy.”
William Ballou is a 6-foot-2-inch outfielder from Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. The Smithfield, Va. Native has a strong arm, 6.6 speed, and has five-tool potential. He was also recruited to play college football.
“Ballou is a game changer,” Waggoner explained. “He is a throwback to a Tim Raines type player that should be a major contributor as a freshman.”
Charles Gipson, a 6-foot-1-inch Indianapolis, Ind. native, is an outfielder and a left-handed pitcher attending Brebuf High School.
“He has all the tools to become a great two-way player,” Waggoner said. “He should contribute in the outfield immediately.”
Demetrius McKelvie is a 6-foot-2-inch outfielder from East Columbus High School. The Hallsboro, N.C. native is a member of the Oakland A’s Area Cod Team and played Area Code games in Long Beach, Calif. and was named to the Area Code games all-tournament teams. A two-sport athlete, McKelvie was a 2007 and 2008 all-conference and all-city selection in both football and baseball. He was a 2008 all-state selection and was also named to the US Army All-American Football Combine in 2008.
“McKelvie is an athletic kid that could have played college football as Ballou could have,” Waggoner stated. “We feel that Demetrius is one of the best athletes recruited to Marshall to play baseball.”
Derek Peterson, a 6-foot-3-inch right-handed pitcher from Wall Township, N.J., is a 2010 walk-on from St. Rose Catholic High School. His father, Rick Peterson, is the former pitching coach of the Oakland A’s and New York Mets.
“Derek is a late bloomer physically, but has a great feel for knowing how to pitch,” Waggoner explained. “He is very sound in his mechanics and will probably pitch out of the bullpen his freshman year, but projects long term as a starting pitcher.”
All six of Marshall’s signees hit from the left side of the plate, while Henderson is a switch-hitter.
