FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss baseball program added a pair of junior college players to its signing class with the signing of Tanner Bailey and Les Smith, head coach Mike Bianco announced on Tuesday.
The pair are the latest announced signees, joining previously announced signees Will Allen, Austin Anderson, Ryan Bolden, Nathan Foriest, Casey Greene, Austin Hartzog, Jimel Judon, Casey Mulholland, Mike Mayers, Preston Overbey, Jordan Poole, Bobby Wahl and Gabe Woods.
"Tanner Bailey is a big kid with a 6-7, 235 pound frame," Lafferty said. "He commands an 88-91 mph fastball in the zone. He’s a strike thrower and looks to come in and make an immediate impact for us next season."
Bailey, a 6-7 right-handed pitcher, comes to the Rebels from Texarkana College where he helped lead the Bulldogs to a 20-8 record and the 2009 Region XIV East Conference Championship. It was the sixth conference title for the program in the last nine seasons.
At Texarkana College, Bailey posted an 8-1 record with a 3.75 ERA in 62.1 innings of work. He struck out 62 batters and walked only 19 on the year.
Bailey played for Little Rock Christian Academy in high school, helping his team finish as 5A West Conference runners-up and an appearance in the state semifinals. He earned All-State honors and helped his team to a No. 1 national ranking by the National Christian School Athletic Association.
"Les Smith is an athletic kid who is projected to hit in the middle of the lineup," said assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Carl Lafferty. "He can drive the baseball. He can really be a presence in the middle of our lineup with his ability to hit for power and extra bases. He’s a very good defensive outfielder with a strong arm and plays his position well."
Smith, a 6-1 outfielder, enrolled at St. Louis Community College – Meramec this fall after having played a season at Louisiana-Lafayette. He will play the 2010 season at Meramec before joining the Rebels in the fall of 2010.
Last season at Louisiana-Lafayette, Smith hit .284 with nine home runs, 42 runs scored and 41 RBI. The left-handed hitter posted a .509 slugging percentage for the Ragin’ Cajuns with 14 doubles and four triples to turn in the third highest slugging percentage on the team. Smith was also 4-for-4 in steals.
In high school, Smith earned second team All-State honors and was a four-time All-District selection out of Dyersburg High school in Dyersburg, Tenn. As a senior, Smith hit .410 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI, setting the school record at the time for home runs in a season.
