Cougar Signees for 2010-11
Derek "Bam" Shugart MIF/OF Cleveland High School
Bam comes from Cleveland High School where he was coached by Ted Carson. Bam also plays for the Chattanooga Cyclones during the summer and fall where he is coached by George Koontz. Bam is another good player out of the quality Cleveland High program and will join teammates Brandon Rader and Cameron Brewster who will be sophomores next year. During Bam's junior season he batted .407 with 22 RBI, 7 doubles, 6, triples, and 5 homeruns. Adding to those great offensive numbers Shugart also had 16 stolen bases. Bam's postseason honors for his junior season were the Defensive Player of the Year Award, Bryce Thomas Consummate Player Award, Mr. Hustle Award, and the Golden Glove Award. Bam is 5'8, 155 lbs, right handed hitter, right handed thrower, and his parents are Lona and Cooksey Shugart from Cleveland, TN.
Grant Zawadzki SS St. Johns High School, MA
Grant is following the line of his older brother Troy and has decided to attend Cleveland State to continue his academic and athletic career. Grant comes to us from St. Johns High School in Shrewsbury, MA where he was coached by Charlie Eppinger. Grant's older brother Lance is also a member of the San Diego Padres organization. Grant had a very successful career up to this point with his high school career. Grant is 5'11, 170 lbs, right handed hitter, right handed thrower, and his parents are Corey and Linda Zawadzki from Shrewsbury, MA.
Alec Rose RHP Grace Academy
Alec hails from Grace Academy in Chattanooga, TN where he was coached by Ruston Pierce. Rose also plays on the Chattanooga Cyclones during the summer and fall as does teammate Bam Shugart. Alec had an outstanding junior season posting great offensive and defensive statistics. Rose batted .452 with 3 HR, and 9 doubles. Led the team with 24 RBI and added 19 stolen bases. Alec is 6'1, 185 lbs, right handed hitter and right handed thrower.
Ross Spurgeon RHP Cookeville High School
Cody Hiefnar OF McMinn County High School
Oakley Fox RHP Seymour High School
Cody Commons OF Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School, GA
Cody is another local product from LFO High School where he was coached by Brad Langford. Cody was a three year starter for LFO and was named All-North GA for all 3 of those years. His senior season Commons hit .398 with 37 RBI, 8 doubles, 2 triples, and 4 homeruns. To go along with those great offensive numbers Cody also stole a team leading 21 bases. On the mound the left hander went 3-1 on the year. Cody is 5'8, 180 lbs, left handed hitter and left handed thrower and his parents are Byron and Tuwana Commons, and Alice Lynn Kilgore.
Tyler Kilgore RHP Sequatchie County High School
Landon Snyder RHP Father Ryan High School
Kyle Checchin OF/RHP Blackman High School
Kyle comes from middle Tennessee by the way of Blackman High School in Murfreesboro where he was coached by Chris Parker. Kyle was a dual player for Blackman in that he saw 27.2 innings on the mound and also started in the outfield when not pitching. Offensively his senior year he batted .355 with 19 RBI, 6 doubles, a triple, and 2 homeruns. Kyle also showed good speed and base running ability by stealing 12 bags. Checchin also had an outstanding year in the classroom graduating with honors and having an overall gpa of 3.34. For his achievements Kyle was given the Leadership Award from Blackman. Kyle is 6'1, 185 lbs, right handed hitter and right handed thrower, and his parents are Rick and Kathy Checchin.
Cade Seeley 2B Blackman High School
Cade joins current teammate Kyle Checcin at Cleveland State next year from Blackman High School where he was coached by Chris Parker. Cade was the primary starter at 2B for Blackman but also saw time at shortstop and 3B. His senior season Seeley batted .326 with 18 RBI, 4 2B, 1 3B, and 16 runs scored. Cade was named the team's "Bust Your Butt" Award for two consecutive years and was named 2nd Team All-District and All Area Team. Along with his great athletic career Cade also graduated high school with honors and maintained a 3.1 GPA. Cade is 5'7. 160 lbs, right handed hitter, right handed thrower, and his parents are James and Lori Seeley.
Colin Sullivan 1B LaVergne High School
Colin and current teammate Michael Lyons will be continuing to play together at Cleveland State, coming from LaVergne High School in Lavergne, TN where he was coached by Steve Williams. Colin is a big power type of 1B and is expected to compete in the middle of the order. Sullivan's senior season he batted .408 with 26 RBI, 6 doubles, and 8 homeruns. Colin had numerous achievements including Team MVP, Team Offensive Player of the Year, All District 7-AAA, Daily News Journal Position Player MVP for LaVergne High School. Colin is 5'11, 195 lbs, right handed hitter, right handed thrower, and his parents are Malyn and Drew Sullivan.
Jared Burton 1B/LHP Knox Halls High School
Jared continues the streak of Halls High School players to play at Cleveland State. At Halls Burton was coached by Doug Polston and follows a list of former players to join the Cougars. Jared had an outstanding high school career as a two way guy seeing time at 1B and OF, as well as being dominant on the mound. For his senior year Burton batted .491 with 60 RBI, 16 2B, 5 3B, and 7 homeruns. On the mound Jared was 6-1 with a 3.68 ERA, 2 complete games, 3 saves, and 49 strikeouts in 53 innings pitched. Burton was named All District for his senior year and TBCA Super Soph Team for his sophomore season. Burton is 6'. 205 lbs, left handed hitter, left handed thrower, and his parents are Jeff and Leah Burton.
Michael Lyons MIF LaVergne High School
Michael comes to Cleveland from LaVergne High School in Lavergne, TN where he was coached by Steve Williams. Lyons saw time as an infielder and pitcher his senior season. Offensively, Lyons batted .320 with 7 doubles, a triple, 12 stolen bases, 32 hits, and 27 runs. Michael is a really good player he is going in with a mix of good guys in the infield. Lyons is 6', 150 lbs, right handed hitter, right handed thrower, and his parents are Scott and Carla Lyons.
Alex Moore RHP/DH Mt. Vernon High School, IN
Alex is a transfer from IUPUI this last spring. Moore hails from Mt. Vernon High School, in Fortville, IN where he was coached by Mike Gibson. Alex is a legit two way guy and should see time on the mound and at the plate as he did his senior season. During that season Moore batted .305 with 17 RBI, 3 doubles, 2 triples, and 5 homeruns. On the mound he was 5-2 with a 2.85 ERA in 51.2 innings pitched with 62 strikeouts. Alex had one outstanding performance that senior season in which he threw a perfect game. Moore has won numerous accolades for his performance in high school including 4 time All County, 3 time All Conference, Indy Star All East Team, and is the Mt. Vernon High School career leader in homeruns. Alex is 6'3, 200 lbs, right handed hitter, right handed thrower, and his parents are Jeff and Carolyn Moore.
Matt West MIF Southern High School, KY/ Georgetown College, KY
Matt is a transfer from Georgetown College and played high school at Southern in Louisville, KY where he was coached by David Hines. Matt is an outstanding defensive player and should give us some leadership and experience in the middle infield. During his high school career West was All District 2008-09, All Region 2008-09, and All State Honorable Mention 2009. Matt is 5'11, 155 lbs, right handed hitter, right handed thrower, and his parents are Mike and Diane West.
Austin Townes CIF Smryna High School/ Dyersburg State Community College
Austin is a transfer from Dyersburg State where he played his freshman year. Townes come from Smyrna High School where he was coached by Barry Vetter. Austin carries a huge stick batting .460 as a senior and can find his way into the lineup in numerous positions. Austin is 5'11, 210 lbs, right handed hitter, right handed thrower, and his parents are Craig and Selena Townes.
Justin Lightfoot C Hendrickson High School, TX/ Lenior Rhyne College, NC
Justin is a transfer from Lenior Rhyne College, he played high school at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville, TX. Lightfoot's freshman season he batted. 400 and saw time as the backup catcher. Lightfoot was named to the 2008-2009 UnderArmour Preseason All America and was 2nd team All District catcher his senior season. Justin is 5'10, 195 lbs, right handed hitter, right handed thrower, and his parents are Charles and Debbie Lightfoot.
Jaime Harper P/DH Walker Valley High School/ Lee University
Galen Smith C Valdosta High School, GA/ Valdosta State University, GA
Galen travels north to Cleveland State from Valdosta, GA where he played high school and college. Galen played for Bart Shuman at Valdosta High School before attending Valdosta State University for two years. Galen was named 2007 and 2008 First Team All-Region Catcher and was selected to the State All Star Game. Galen is 6'1, 205 lbs, right handed hitter, right handed thrower, and his parents are Kevin and Patsy Smith.
Aaron O'Dell C/MIF Lookout Valley High School
Bowe Coffman C LaFayette High School, GA
Bowe hails from Lafeyette High School in Lafeyette, GA where he was coached by Mike Dunfee. Bowe is a good defensive catcher with a chance to be an offensive guy. During his senior season Bowe batted .447 with 32 RBI, 10 2B, 2 3B, and 7 homeruns. For this season Bowe was named Chattanooga Times Best of Preps and All North Georgia Team. Bowe is 6'1, 175 lbs, right handed hitter, right handed thrower, and his father is Harold Coffman.
Liam O'Sullivan RHP Holy Name Central Catholic High School, MA
Liam comes from a long distance in the suburbs of Boston from Holy Name Central Catholic High School where he was coached by Dan McGowan. O'Sullivan had an outstanding high school career becoming the winningest pitcher in school history in 2010. For his high school career O'Sullivan was 18-6 with an astounding 1.76 ERA in 128 innings pitched. Liam recorded 152 strikeouts to only 29 walks and also etched two saves. Along with becoming the winningest pitcher in school history, Liam won many more accolades including Central Massachusettes All-Star for 3 years, Superteam honorable mention 2010, and selected to Massachusettes Coaches Association All-Star Team for 2 seasons. Liam is 6'3, 210 lbs, right handed hitter, right handed thrower, and his parents are Katy and Don O'Sullivan.