Monday,
November 25, 2002
BLUE
HOSE BASEBALL SIGNS SIX DURING EARLY SIGNING PERIOD
CLINTON,
S.C. — Kemper Booth, Robert Edwards, Donald Ellis,
Greg Ihlenburg, Matt Neal, and Robert
Rodebaugh have signed national letters of intent to play
baseball at Presbyterian College announced today by 10th-year
head coach Doug Kovash.
Booth, a 6-1, 190-pound
catcher from Hendersonville, N.C. currently plays for West
Henderson High School and head coach Jim
Hyatt. Last season Booth hit .405 with 32 hits, 18 runs
scored, seven doubles, two homeruns, and 17 RBI en route to
all-conference honors. In addition, he was a member of the
Bronze medal-winning team at the N.C. State Games this past
summer.
“Kemper has all of the
qualities to step in and catch at Presbyterian for four years
in a row, ” said Kovash. “He is a leader, hustler, and a
‘player.’ We look forward to watching him hit, catch, and
throw while leading our pitching staff over the next four
years.”
Edwards, a 6-2, 190-pound
catcher/third baseman from Anderson, S.C., currently plays for
T.L. Hanna High School and head coach Allan
Fain. Edwards hit .366 in 93 at-bats, with 34 hits, 12
doubles, seven homeruns, 35 RBI and five stolen bases last
season. He has been invited to the Perfect Game, Baseball
Factory, Blue-Grey, and Impact Players Showcases.
“Robbie has an above
average arm and hits the ball with power, two qualities we
need in our catcher,” said Kovash. “His versatility to
play third base will give him a chance to play early as a
catcher, third baseman, and designated hitter.”
Ellis, a 6-0, 165-pound
outfielder/right-handed pitcher from Kings Mountain, N.C.,
currently plays for Kings Mountain High School and head coach Stephen
Fisher. Ellis hit .319 with two homeruns, 12 stolen bases,
and 10 RBI last season en route to all-conference honors.
“Ross is a solid player
who has the chance to play center field and pitch for the Blue
Hose,” said Kovash. “He has run a 6.8/60-yard dash and has
shown an above average arm while hitting extremely well from
the leadoff spot for his high school the past two years.”
Inlenburg, a 6-2, 165-pound
outfielder/second baseman from Roswell, Ga., currently plays
for Roswell High School and head coach Allen
Dyer. He hit .405 on 30 hits in 74 at-bats with a .513
on-base percentage. He was named the team’s best hitter last
season. During the summer, Inlenburg plays for the East Cobb
Ringors and hit .390 on 48 hits in 123 at-bats with 22 runs
scored 11 doubles, one triple, and 25 RBI. He has earned the
1998, 2000, 2001 East Cobb Best Offensive Award and was named
the 2002 East Cobb MVP.
“Greg will contribute as
a hitter early in his career,” said Kovash. “His extensive
baseball background in the East Cobb Baseball system will
bring a winning attitude to PC.”
Neal, a 6-4, 200-pound
pitcher/first baseman from Strasburg, Va. currently plays for
Strasburg High School and head coach Jeff
Smoot. He hit .338 with four homeruns and 37 RBI including
three grand slams last season. In addition, Neal went 8-1 on
the mound with 51 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched and posted
a 1.87 ERA. He currently owns a 13-1 record on the mound the
last two seasons. For his efforts, Neal was named to the
All-District, All-Area, and All-Region first team and second
team All-State as a first baseman and to the second team
All-District and All-Area as a pitcher. During the summer, he
played for the Central Virginia Sting and head coaches Rich
Schmidt and Dan
Horn. He has been selected to participate in the Perfect
Game, Sunshine and Blue-Grey Showcases. His summer highlight
was pitching a three-hitter in eight innings against the
Maryland Demons in 2001 which eventually won the ECTB National
World Series title.
“Matt brings to the PC
pitching staff a lefty arm who competes who throws alot of
strikes and a winning attitude,” said Kovash. “He will be
an asset to the squad right away.”
Rodebaugh, a 6-2, 190-pound
catcher/first baseman from Marietta, Ga. currently plays for
Sprayberry High School and head coach Terry
Cadenhead. He hit .310 in 48 at-bats with four doubles and
15 RBI.
“Robert is a tremendous left-handed hitter with an above average release as a catcher,” said Kovash. “He should play right away as a catcher and will also see time at first base and designated hitter.”