Cleveland State Baseball Signees for 2008-09

Cleveland State Baseball would like to announce the early commitments for the 2008-2009 academic year.  This group has a good mix of all positions on the field with 3 catchers, 2 infielders, 2 outfielders, and 4 pitchers, two of which will also play outfield.  The local signees are as follows: Brandon Ward (Red Bank), Craig Barker (Red Bank), Cullen Clabo (Red Bank), Baily Turner (McMinn Co.), Zane Leffew (Soddy Daisy), and Tyler Burgess (Sequatchie Co.).  Also from out of the area:  Travis Webb (William Blount, Maryville), Tyler Pumphrey (Wilson Central, Nashville), Cody Hooper (Gordon Central, Ga), Cody Ferrell (Lebanon, Tn), and Troy Zawadzki (St. Johns, Ma).  The Cleveland State Baseball team took care of some big needs with the early commitments and all of these guys should be able to come in and compete for a job right away.

 

Craig Barker, Brandon Ward, Cullen Clabo

Red Bank High School in Chattanooga and Coach Bumper Reese will send three players to Cleveland State for the next school year.  Craig Barker, far left, is a catcher and will look to come in and compete for a job right away.  Cullen Clabo, far right, is a right handed pitcher with a loose, quick arm that will also look to compete for the Cougars within their staff.  Brandon Ward, center, is an outfielder/ left handed pitcher that we think can be a legitimate two way guy.  During Ward's junior season he batted .448 with 16 RBI, 3 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, and 10 stolen bases.  On the mound he was 3-1 with a 3.15 ERA in 20 innings pitched.  He compiled 25 strikeouts to only two walks with 2 complete games.  Ward's postseason honors include Golden Glove Award and Best of Preps Chattanooga.  Brandon is a 5'8, 145lb left handed hitter and left handed thrower and his parents are Jeff and Sandy Ward from Red Bank, TN.

 

Cody Ferrell

Cody is from Lebanon High School in Lebanon, TN where he was coached by Tracy Slone.  Cody is an outfielder/left handed pitcher with an athletic build, that should also be a legitimate two way guy.  During his junior season Cody batted .324 with 19 RBI, 4 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, and 5 stolen bases.  On the mound Cody logged 44 innings pitched with a 4.23 ERA, and 51 strikeouts.  After his junior season he was named to the 7AAA All-District Team.  Cody is 6'3, 195lb left handed hitter and left handed thrower and his parents are Troy and Rhonda Ferrell from Lebanon, TN

Zane Leffew

Zane is another local product from Soddy Daisy High School in Soddy Daisy, TN where he was coached by Steve Garland.  Zane is a right handed pitcher who also competes with the Chattanooga Cyclones in the summer and fall.  During Zane's junior season he pitched 34.1 innings with 32 strikeouts and a 4.08 ERA while going 4-2.  Zane looks to have a big senior season and be ready to compete come next fall.  Zane is 6'2, 180lb right handed hitter and right handed thrower and his parents are Scott and Robin Leffew from Soddy Daisy, TN.

Travis Webb

Travis is from William Blount High School in Maryville, TN where he was coached by Richie Wilhite.  Travis is an outfielder with a good bat and solid defense.  During his junior season he batted .371 with 32 RBI, 9 2B, 4 HR, and 6 stolen bases.  Webb's postseason awards include 1st team All-Blount County.  Travis is 6', 165lb right handed hitter and right handed thrower and his parents are Michael and Pat Webb from Maryville, TN.

Trevor Burgess

Trevor is from Sequatchie County High School in Jasper, TN where he was coached by Juan Clariday.  Trevor is an outfielder/first basemen/left handed pitcher.  Defensively Trevor predicts as a corner outfielder with a good bat and some pop at the plate.  During his junior season he batted .368 with 33 RBI, 18 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, and 11 stolen bases.  On the mound Burgess went 3-3 in 41 innings pitched with a 4.01 ERA and 46 strikeouts.  His junior season Trevor won All-District 6-AA and was named the Offensive MVP.  Trevor is 6', 190lb left handed hitter and left handed thrower and his parents are Barry and Donna Burgess.

Cody Hooper

Cody is from Gordon Central High School in Calhoun, GA where he was coached by Donnie Robertson.  Cody is a first basemen and hitter with big time power potential.  During his junior season Hooper batted .420 with 27 RBI, 10 2B, 1 3B, and 6 HR.  During the summer Hooper also played for the Rome Renegades.  For his junior season Cody was named to the All-Area team.  Cody is 6'1, 220lb right handed hitter and right handed thrower and his parents are Troy and Connie Hooper.  Troy Hooper also played for Cleveland State from 1986-88.

Troy Zawadzki

Troy comes to Cleveland State from a long way off.  He is from St. Johns High School in Shrewsbury, MA where he was coached by Charlie Epinger.  Troy is a shortstop that looks to come in and take the job for the next two years.  During his junior season Troy batted .463 with 25 RBI, 11 2B, 3 3B, and 16 stolen bases.  For that junior season performance Zawadzki was named to the All-District Team.  Troy is 6'1, 170lb right handed hitter and right handed thrower and his parents are Corey and Linda Zawadzki from Shrewsbury, MA.

Baily Turner

 

Baily comes from McMinn County High School in Athens, TN where he was coached by Jason Howard.  Baily is a catcher with good defensive skills and an outstanding stick.  During his junior season, Turner batted .410 with 40 RBI, 16 2B, and 6 HR.  For that junior season Baily was named All-District and All-District Tournament Team.  Baily will be an immediate impact player for the Cougars.  Baily is 5'10, 185 lb right handed hitter and right handed thrower and his parents are Mike and Diane Turner from Athens, TN.

Tyler Pumphrey

C  Wilson Central High School Nashville, TN

 

Lance Rorex

Lance comes from Lookout Valley High School in Chattanooga, TN where he was coached by David Dinger.  For Lance's junior season he hit .452 with 64 hits, 63 runs, 39 RBI and 25 stolen bases.  Lance received numerous post season honors including All-District, All-State, and Best of Preps Chattanooga Times Free Press.  Lance is 6' 175 lb right handed hitter and right handed thrower and his parents are Kathy and Leston Rorex from Chattanooga, TN.

Adam Hindman

OF Walker Valley High School Cleveland, TN

Jonathan Prior

LHP Karns High School Knoxville, TN

James Pierson

MIF Cincinnati, OH