Thomas Signs Nine During Early Signing Period

AIKEN, S.C. - University of South Carolina Aiken head baseball coach Kenny Thomas announced the signing of nine players during the NCAA early signing period on Thursday, Nov. 19.

The signing class features five players from Maryland, three players from Georgia and one player from South Carolina. The class also features two junior college transfers and seven high school players.

"I guess it's obvious that we went into Maryland this past year and came out with some good players," remarked Thomas. "The state was a whole new untapped area for us. Coach Mark Conner spent some time up there this past year and it has really paid off for us. I'd say we might make another trip or two up there in the future. We have worked many tireless hours recruiting these nine players, and once again it has paid off with a tremendous early signing period. Coaches Michael Holder and Mark Conner should be commended for their work in this year's recruiting class. Maybe now, they can get a little rest for the next few weeks before practice starts in January.

"You've got to stay ahead in the game in this business, recruiting is so important and I think we've again laid the foundation for the future of USC Aiken Baseball. These nine players are talented and fit our needs for the future, and even though each of them had many choices on where they were going, each one of them had USCA at the top of their list from day one of the process. That's what I like!" 

Jeffrey Campbell joins the USC Aiken baseball program after spending some time at Spartanburg Methodist College in Spartanburg, S.C. A native of Chesnee, S.C., Campbell will suit up at catcher for the Pacers. Last year, Campbell hit .314 for the Pioneers, who finished fifth in the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series.

"This guy can really catch and throw, which is what we where looking for," noted Thomas. "He's a scrappy type of player that can handle the game from behind the plate."

Patrick McGowan is a left-handed pitcher out of Gordon Community College in Barnsville, Ga. A native of nearby Evans, Ga., McGowan was 5-3 for Gordon last year on the mound in 13 appearances. The southpaw held opposing batters to a batting average of .273, while also accumulating 41 punchouts along the way.

"The left handed junior college pitcher we were looking for, Pat should come in next year and compete for a weekend role," said Thomas. "He has all the tools to be a great pitcher in the Peach Belt Conference."

A native of Harlem, Ga., Derek Beasley joins the Pacer baseball program out of Harlem High School. Beasley is a left-handed pitcher, who can play in the field as well and will have a shot at an outfield position as a Pacer.

"Derek is a two-way player with some ability at both the outfield and on the mound," Thomas noted. "I think in college the mound is going to become his best friend as he's got so much ability and being left handed makes it more noticeable. But don't count him out in the outfield."

Travis Clark is one of two players to sign with the Pacers out Hammond High School in Columbia, Md. A t wo-way player, Clark is a right-handed pitcher who will also get a chance in the infield at third base.

"Travis was an All-State Player in Maryland last year as a junior," Thomas remarked. "He will come to USCA with some great credentials and a lot of ability. Should be a two-way player in college. He has a great arm off the mound, has really good hands on the infield and can hit. Clark and Wissmann on the same team this spring should be interesting and should help USCA in the future."

Sam Daniel joins the Pacer baseball program out of Greenbrier High School in Evans, Ga. An outfielder and right-handed pitcher, he is described by Thomas as "another player from a long list of great players we have gotten from the Augusta area. He has the potential to be a great player before he leaves USCA. He's a big strong guy that can hit and play outfield. He's going to pitch a lot for Greenbrier this spring, so that could develop into a big surprise for everyone."

A native of Huntingtown, Md., Chris Gaines will get a chance as an infielder the Pacers. Gaines played his high school baseball at Huntingtoqn High School. He is the first of two to sign with the Pacers this year out of Huntingtown High School.

"Chris is a left-handed hitting infielder that could play a couple of different positions," said Thomas. "His bat should carry him through his college career. I look for him to be a second baseman or third baseman."

Taylor Peed is a right-handed pitcher out of Calvert High School in Frederick, Md. The Saint Leonard, Md. native is describe by Thomas as someone that "has a great curve ball to go along with good command of his pitches. When he gets a little bit stronger he's going to be very difficult to hit because he has an out pitch with that curve ball."

The second of the two players to sign out of Hammond High School in Columbia, Md., Daniel Wissmann is a left-handed pitcher. The southpaw was the County Pitcher of the Year during the 2009 season.

"Daniel comes to us with great potential," said Thomas. "He lit my eyes up the minute I saw his first couple of pitches. He's right now an upper 80's guy with a good breaking ball from the left side. I can't wait to get him here."

The second of the Huntingtown High School products, Spencer Wolfe is someone that can not only pitch, but catch as well.

"Spencer is a very unique player that catches and pitches," mused Thomas. "He's a guy that we feel will be a great hitter during his career so we will have to make some decisions on what position he will play. He can flat throw it off the mound so that seems to be for sure a direction he will go."

The nine signees join a Pacer baseball program that had one of the greatest seasons in program history last year.

USC Aiken's 2009 baseball team ended the year 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).