Thomas Announces 21 Newcomers for 2010 Campaign
AIKEN, S.C. - Entering his 11th season in charge of USC Aiken baseball, Kenny Thomas announced his 2010 signing class on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
"This could very easily be our best recruiting year since I've been here," noted Thomas. "We brought in big time players, players with tons of experience, players with great potential and players for the future. After that tough loss in the regional finals last year on our home field, the coaches dedicated themselves to having all holes filled. Hopefully we have!"
The 2010 Pacer signing class features 21 players, including nine transfers and 12 true freshmen.
Transfers
Dustin Douglas joins the Pacer baseball program out of CCBC Catonsville. A native of Cockeysville, Md., Douglas is a catcher that according to Thomas has "tremendous receiving skills behind the plate."
A junior right-handed pitcher out of USC Salkehatchie, Mark Henderson is someone that "should get in the mound mix quickly" according to Thomas. Last year, the North Charleston, S.C. native fanned 62 batters in 71.2 innings on the hill for USC Salkehatchie.
Zach Kilday is an all-around outfielder that played his first two years at South Georgia College. The Lilburn, Ga. native knows how to play the game and will have a chance to play immediately in the 2010 Pacer campaign.
One of two University of South Carolina pitchers joining the Pacer rotation, Grimes Medlin comes to Aiken as a senior left-handed pitcher. Medlin, a native of Benson, N.C., pitched in 6.2 innings for the Gamecocks last year.
"Grimes is a big-time pickup for us," remarked Thomas. "He gives us a left-hander with good stuff and great experience."
Steve Owens gives the Pacers an imposing presence on the mound. The 6-foot-9 right-handed pitcher was a late summer pickup by the USC Aiken coaching staff that gives the Pacers even more depth on the hill.
A senior from Sykesville, Md., Owens was 3-2 last year for the University of Richmond, dealing a team second-best 53 strikeouts in 61 innings on the mound. Owens started all 11 games in which he appeared in the spring of 2009.
The second of the Gamecock hurlers to join the Pacers in the offseason, Leesville, S.C. native James Rawls is a right-handed pitcher, who can also play first base and hit. Rawls, a sophomore, pitched in two-thirds of an inning for the Gamecocks during his freshman season.
Bill Rice makes his way to Roberto Hernandez Stadium after one year at Gloucester Community College in Sewell, N.J. Strong at the plate, Rice, who played his freshman season at the University of Maryland, is described by Thomas as a "hitting junior college outfielder, who is hopefully just what we are looking for right now."
Tracey Asbill is the cousin of USC Aiken catcher Gary Asbill and along with Corey Warner will try and walk on to the Pacer baseball program. Asbill played his first two seasons at USC Salkehatchie, while Warner spent his first season at Newberry College, but did not play.
Freshmen
A local product with a great deal of potential, Taylor Grover finds his way to USC Aiken from Midland Valley High School. Grover will be a right-handed pitcher for the Pacers.
JJ Loker comes to USC Aiken from the Commonwealth of Virginia and Spotswood High School in Elkton, Va. Thomas describes Loker as a strong infielder that also should be a great hitter by the time he leaves USC Aiken.
A product of New England, Ryan Milewski played his high school baseball at West Boylston High School in West Boylston, Mass. Milewski pitched and played in the infield in high school, but he will suit up as a right-handed pitcher for the Pacers.
Josh Miller is regarded by Thomas and the USC Aiken coaching staff as a "tremendous sign for us; he could end up being a two-way player (infield and pitcher)." Miller played his high school baseball at Chapin High School for fellow Pacer Thomas McLeod's father, Scott.
The Pacer coaching staff picked up a rarity as well in their 2010 signing class by signing two twin brothers, who also happen to deal from different sides of the mound. Royce Nichols is a left-handed pitcher, while Ryan Nichols is a right-handed pitcher. The Nichols' twins are from Dumfries, Va. and they played their high school baseball at Bishop O'Connell High School.
Jake Padgett joins the Pacer baseball program out of Gilbert High School. The freshman right-handed pitcher from Batesburg, S.C. has tons of potential according to Thomas.
Randy Sipp finds his way to USC Aiken from the Sunshine State where he suited up for Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Altamonte Springs, Fla. Sipp is heralded by the Pacer staff as a young outfielder that "down the road could make a huge impact for the program."
An infielder, Adam Spires is a great hitting prospect from the Palmetto state. Spires played high school baseball at Gilbert High School along with Padgett.
Tripp Warrick is a local product from North Augusta High School. A first baseman, Warrick is described by Thomas as someone that has "a tremendous amount of potential at the plate."
Dylan Durham of Strom Thurmond High School and Gavin Scott of Bridgton Academy in Vienna, Va. will both try and walk on with the Pacers. Durham will try and walk on as an outfielder, while Scott will try and make the pitching rotation as a right-handed pitcher.
The Pacers
The 21 newcomers join a USC Aiken baseball program that under the mentorship of Thomas, the 2009 Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year, experienced one of the greatest seasons in school history in 2009.
USC Aiken's 2009 baseball team ended the 2009 season tied with Central Missouri for 10th in the final Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division II Top 30 poll.
The final ranking of 10th was the highest for the 2009 Peach Belt Conference regular season champion under Thomas. USC Aiken ended the 2008 season ranked 11th, while they concluded the 2005 season 12th.
The Pacers reached as high as No. 2 nationally in 2009 en route to their second ever Peach Belt Conference regular season championship.
The regular season title was the first for the Pacers since 1994. The Pacers also have two PBC Tournament crowns, having won the league tournament in 1992 and 1993.
The Pacers' prowess during the regular season helped USC Aiken to top honors in the Southeast Region, enabling the program to host its second ever NCAA Division II Tournament regional.
The Pacers advanced to the regional final for the second consecutive season before bowing out to NCAA Division II Baseball Championship semifinalist and Conference Carolinas Tournament champion Belmont Abbey in the first game of the championship round.
USC Aiken (42-19) concluded its season having been a part of its fifth consecutive NCAA Division II Baseball regional. The Pacers' 42 wins in 2009 leave the program entering the 2010 campaign with five consecutive 40-win seasons.
USC Aiken has been a participant in the NCAA Division II Tournament seven times (1992, 1993, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009).
2010 USC Aiken Newcomers
Transfers
Dustin Douglas - CCBC Catonsville - C - JR
Mark Henderson - USC Salkehatchie - RHP - JR
Zach Kilday - South Georgia - OF - JR
Grimes Medlin - South Carolina - LHP - SR
Steve Owens - Richmond - RHP - SR
James Rawls - South Carolina - RHP/1B - SO
Bill Rice - Gloucester Community College - OF - JR
Tracey Asbill - USC Salkehatchie - RHP - JR
Corey Warner - Newberry - IF - FR
Freshmen
Taylor Grover - Midland Valley High School - RHP
JJ Loker - Spotswood High School - IF
Ryan Milewski - West Boylston High School - RHP
Josh Miller - Chapin - IF/RHP
Royce Nichols - Bishop O'Connell High School - LHP
Ryan Nichols - Bishop O'Connell High School - RHP
Jake Padgett - Gilbert High School - RHP
Randy Sipp - Bishop Moore Catholic High School - OF
Adam Spires - Gilbert High School - IF
Tripp Warrick - North Augusta High School - 1B
Dylan Durham - Strom Thurmond High School - OF
Gavin Scott - Bridgton Academy - RHP
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