July 27, 2012

Carson-Newman Baseball adds 10 pitchers in preparation for 2013 season

Jefferson City, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s baseball club is stockpiling live arms as it gears up for the 2013 season. Head baseball coach Tom Griffin announced the signing of 10 pitchers Friday. Griffin welcomes Kyle Wentz, Blake Ballinger, Marcus Watson, Jacob King, Josh Russell, Quinton Yocum, Hunter Rich, Dustin Dunagen, James Jinnett and Phillip Pardue to the Eagles’ bullpen.

Jefferson City, Tenn. – Carson-Newman's baseball club is stockpiling live arms as it gears up for the 2013 season.

Head baseball coach Tom Griffin announced the signing of 10 pitchers Friday. Griffin welcomes Kyle Wentz, Blake Ballinger, Marcus Watson, Jacob King, Josh Russell, Quinton Yocum, Hunter Rich, Dustin Dunagen, James Jinnett and Phillip Pardue to the Eagles' bullpen.

Kyle Wentz-LHP: Wentz is stalwart left-handed pitcher out of Beardon High School. Wentz led the Bulldogs to the state finals in the spring hurling 56 innings with a 2.6 ERA along the way. For his efforts, he earned first team All-District honors.

Coach Tom Griffin on Wentz: "Very competitive thrower who helped his high school to the State Championship in AAA. Used as both starter and reliever for Beardon, we see him more as a middle reliever starting out."

Blake Ballinger-RHP: Ballinger is a righty out of Jefferson County where he tossed 18 strikeouts in 12 innings of work. He built a 1-0 record with a 3.95 ERA

Coach Tom Griffin on Ballinger: "We have seen Blake grow as a pitcher for a lot of years. He's a very hard working player who knows our system very well."

Marcus Watson-RHP: Watson had a solid senior season for Sevier County High School compiling a 5-2 record in his final season with the Smoky Bears. Watson's older brother Lucas already pitches for C-N.

Coach Tom Griffin on Watson: "His brother is the reason why he knows our very well. The transition to college baseball should come easy for him."

Jacob King- RHP: A hitter/pitcher from Spotsylvania High School in Virginia, King brings impressive pitching stats with him to Mossy Creek. He tossed 60 innings, striking out better than a batter an inning with 70 Ks on his way to making first team All-District.

Coach Tom Griffin on King: "He's such a great two-way player that we look forward to seeing him compete as a hitter and pitcher."

Josh Russell-RHP: Russell comes to Carson-Newman by way of the State College of Florida. While there he led SCF to the JUCO World Series and was selected to the FCCAA All-Star Game. A native of Bradenton, Fla., Russell led his American Legion team to a state title, throwing a complete game, 10 strikeout performance in the title game.

Coach Tom Griffin on Russell: "We look for him to fill a reliever role for us like he did for his JUCO team. We like his arm angle and the fact he competed against good competition in the Florida JUCO's. He provides experience and leadership for our staff."

Quinton Yocum-RHP: Yocum is a 6-2, 210 pound transfer from Urbana University in Ohio. While there, he tossed 58 innings and went 3-5 as a starter. While playing for Will Nichols at Triad High School, Yocum hurled two no hitters in his senior year. He accumulated a host of accolades including being named first team All-State, the conference's player of the year and set a school record with a 0.43 ERA.

Coach Tom Griffin on Yocum: "He started as a freshman for Urbana. Good body, live arm that will only get better we believe in our program. He can make a play for a significant role on our staff this spring."

Hunter Rich-LHP: Rich is the second Jefferson County pitcher to join the staff after Blake Ballinger. In 17 innings of work with the Patriots, Rich struck out 25 batters his senior year.

Coach Tom Griffin on Rich: "Hunter's a tall, lanky lefty whot has shown huge improvements over the last year. When he gets involved in our throwing and lifting program, it will be interesting to see how he develops as a pitcher."

Dustin Dunagen-RHP: A right-handed fireballer out of Chattahocee Valley Community College, Dunagen pitched for former Eagle player and coach Matt Ward. Under Ward's tutelage, Dunegan fired 71 innings with a 2.13 ERA en route to an 8-1 record.

Coach Tom Griffin on Dunagen: "He was a very successful pitcher this past spring. Having played for Ward, there is no doubt he is prepared to compete right away for us."

James Jinnett-RHP: Jinnett lead Pigeon Forge High School to the state playoffs in the spring while also manning the outfield for the Tigers.

Coach Tom Griffin on Jinnett: "Two-way player who has a very good arm and is very athletic. He did well both in taking PFHS to the state playoffs."

Philip Pardue-RHP: Pardue is a second team ALL-KIL selection out of CAKHS.

Coach Tom Griffin on Pardue: "Solid pitcher who had a good career at CAK. Playing for CAK Head Coach Tommy Pharr, you know he is well prepared for college baseball and pitching."