Wednesday,
December 3, 2003
BLUE HOSE BASEBALL SIGNS FOUR DURING EARLY SIGNING PERIOD
CLINTON,
S.C. — Casey Carlson, Chris Cornelison,
Eric Tatum, and Jim Wagers have signed national letters of intent to play baseball
at Presbyterian College announced today by 11th-year head
coach Doug Kovash.
Carlson,
a 6-4, 180-pound outfielder from Lexington, S.C. currently
plays for Lexington High School and head coach Tommy
Williams. Last season Carlson hit .282 with 20 hits, 18
runs scored, nine stolen bases, and seven RBI as he helped
lead his team to a 22-6 mark and a state 4-A runner-up finish
in the state playoffs. During the summer he plays for the
Carolina Clippers and head coach Mike
Prochaska. He was named the “Best Offensive Player” of
the wooden bat league while leading his team to a second place
finish in the league. Carlson hit .380 with 23 runs scored and
13 RBI last summer.
“Casey
is an excellent athlete who can run, throw and hit,” said
Kovash. “He was selected to play in the North/South Football
game as a wide receiver. He covers alot of ground in the
outfield, has a great arm, and will develop into a fine
college hitter. At
6-3, 185 lb - Casey has a great frame that will only get
better.”
Cornelison,
a 6-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher from Roswell, Ga.,
currently plays for Lassiter High School and head coach Mickey
McMurtry. He helped lead this team to the second round of
the GAHS Playoffs this past season. During the summer he plays
for the East Cobb Tigers and head coach Josh
Hopper.
“Chris
is a hard throwing but untested, unproven righty from one of
the premier high schools in GA,” said Kovash. “He throws
the ball 84-87 mph and his fastball is a heavy fastball with
run that will jam right-handed hitters.
He is just coming into his own as a pitcher, we see
Chris’ potential as outstanding and feel he has the
opportunity pitch early in his career.”
Tatum,
a 6-1, 160-pound third baseman/right-handed pitcher from
Buford, Ga., currently plays for Buford High School and head
coach Tony Wolfe. He hit .358 with 17 RBI last season while posting a 5-2
mark on the mound with a 2.40 ERA and led his team to the
state playoffs. During the summer he plays for the Atlanta
Cardinals and head coach Don
Friend.
“Eric
is a multi-talented player who competes,” said Kovash. “He
comes right at you on the hill, and we like his versatility as
dual position player. Great chance to step right in at third
base. He has a
good arm, throws the ball free and easy, and hits the ball
well. Eric shows
good power potential. A
mid 80’s thrower on the hill with a good curve and nice
change, we expect good things from him on the hill as well.”
Wagers,
a 6-4, 195-pound left-hander pitcher/first baseman from
Blackstock, S.C., currently plays for Richard Wynn Academy and
head coach Wally Weir. Last year he posted a 6-2 mark on the mound while
hitting .501 with five homeruns and 31 RBI. Weir was named a
2003 All-Region selection and led his team to the SCISA state
playoffs and a #3 ranking in 2-A. He is rated as the top
left-hander pitcher in South Carolina by the High
School Sports Report. He also plays for the S.C. Diamond
Devils and head coach John
Rhodes. The Diamond Devils posted a 27-3 mark during the
fall of 2003 and they tied for ninth at the Perfect Games held
in Jupiter, Fla.
“Jim
is a 6-4 195 lb lefty pitcher who can throw it 84-87 mph, with
a great change of pace, who can also hit the ball with a lot
of pop,” said Kovash. “Has great power potential - the
ball jumps off his bat. we
see Jim as an everyday player - who will develop into a very
special player for the Blue Hose.”