Friday,
April 19, 2002
BLUE HOSE BASEBALL SIGNS ARIAIL, CROMER, ROSS, & SOWELL
CLINTON,
SC — Ryan Ariail,
Bryan Cromer, Remington Ross,
and Evan Sowell
have signed to play baseball at Presbyterian College,
announced today by ninth-year head coach Doug
Kovash.
Ariail,
a 6-4, 190-pound left-handed pitcher, is a native of Columbia,
S.C. where he plays for Spring Valley High School and head
coach Keith Cooley. Ariail helped lead his team to the 2001 Lower State
Playoffs while posting a 3-0 mark on the mound. He has been
named as one of the top 25 varsity pitchers in the state of
South Carolina. During his career, Ariail has played for three
straight AAU State Championship teams including last summer
playing for the Diamond Travelers 16 & under team and head
coach Al Hudson
which won the 2001 AAU State Championship.
“Ariail
has good control and above average velocity for a 16-year old
senior,” said Kovash. “We see Ryan developing into a very
good small college pitcher, with an outside chance to move on
professionally with a 3-4 mph fastball development and by
adding a tighter curve to his repertoire.”
Cromer,
a 6-3, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, is a native of
Columbia, S.C. where he plays for A.C. Flora High School and
head coach Andy Hallett. Cromer helped lead his team to the 2001 S.C State
Championship and this season he was named All-Tournament at
the 2002 Lake Murray Tournament. His team has a 16-7 record
this spring while on the mound, Cromer has a 5-2 mark.
“Bryan
is a great high school pitcher that has tremendous ability and
a bright future, said Kovash. He currently throws his fastball
in the mid to upper 80’s and has a good curveball.
His size is a key element that should enable him to
continue developing here at PC, hopefully increasing his
velocity to where he consistently pitches in the 90’s. We
are counting on Bryan to pitch often his first year here,
mostly in relief or mid-week starts. Bryan’s father pitched
on the USC team that played in the College World Series for
Coach Bobby Richardson.”
Ross,
a 5-10, 170-pound shortstop/pitcher from Frederick, MD plays
for Wootton High School and head coach Rhett
Ross who has a 8-0 record this season. Currently the team
captain has a .500 batting average. Among his honors already
earned this season, Ross was named one of the top players in
the state of Maryland for 2002 by Collegiate Baseball Magazine.
“Remington
is a spark plug that will help solidify the middle infield
next season,” said Kovash.
“He
will probably see time at shortstop as a freshman. He’s a
contact hitter with good speed and his best tool is his glove
work. He will make an immediate impact for us next season.”
Sowell,
a 5-8, 130-pound shortstop/second baseman, is a native of
Chesterfield, S.C. where he plays for Chesterfield High School
and head coach Jimmy Weatherford. Sowell has helped lead his team to the state
playoffs each of the last three years. Individually, he has
been named to the All-Region team each of the last two
seasons. During the past summer, he played for the Carolina
Clippers where he posted a .270 batting average.
“Sowell
is a middle infielder that impressed us with his gutsy,
all-out effort and play this fall,” said Kovash. “He comes
ready to play and reminds us of “Billy Martin,’ plays with
fierce competitiveness that make everyone around him a winner.
He will compete for a spot in the infield with his slick
fielding skills, good speed
and contact skills at the plate.”