Wednesday, November 16, 2005
HAMMOND AND MCCONNELL SIGN WITH BLUE HOSE BASEBALL
CLINTON, S.C. – Joseph Hammond and Travis McConnell have signed to play baseball at Presbyterian College head coach Elton Pollock announced today.
Hammond, a 6-0, 165 lb right-handed pitcher from Lilburn, Ga., plays for coach Adam Cantrell at Providence Christian Academy. Last season, he compiled a 4-3 record in leading his team to a 21-7 record and a spot in the state playoffs. His sophomore year, Hammond produced a school record seven wins against no loses and a 1.79 earned run average en route to being named the Rookie of the Year.
"Joe Hammond is truly a huge sign for us,” Pollock said. “Having watched him mature over the course of the summer and fall baseball seasons, he has transitioned into a true gamer on the mound. I look for him to have an immediate impact on our pitching staff."
McConnell, a 6-2, 170 lb outfielder/right-handed pitcher from Indian Land, S.C., plays for coach Kevin Durham at Indian Land High School. Last season, he received the Silver Slugger Award with a .413 batting average and a .563 slugging percentage as he led his team to a 14-12 overall record. On the mound, he had a 3.48 earned run average with seven complete games. He has also been named to the Region 3-A All-Region team three times and was a Charlotte Observer All-Upper State selection in 2004.
"Travis McConnell has a tremendous amount of ability both on the mound and in the outfield,” Pollock said. “He is a left hand hitter with the ability to hit for average. His biggest and most immediate impact will be on the mound. I am happy to have Travis on board."
Hammond and McConnell become the first two to sign with the Blue Hose baseball program in the 2005-2006 signing period.