Columbus, Ga. -- Columbus State University head baseball coach
Greg Appleton has announced the signing of eight players during the
recent NCAA Early Signing Period. Appleton and his staff shored up
the pitching staff by adding six hurlers and also added a pair of
infielders to the mix. The class is comprised of five true freshmen
and three junior college transfers.
Right handed pitcher Taylor Pica of Newnan High School is one of
the freshmen to join the Cougars. "We are extremely excited to have
signed Taylor in the early signing period as he is a pitcher who
has really come on late this fall and we feel like his best
pitching days are still ahead of him" says Appleton. Pica played
last season for the Cougars of Newnan High under the guidance of
coach Kenny Morris. He helped Newnan to a 27-6 record and a visit
to the 3rd round of the 5A State Playoffs. "Taylor is some what of
a sleeper and has only been on our radar the past couple of weeks.
However, during this time he has shown a very live arm with good
movement and an outstanding breaking ball. From what we have seen
out of him thus far, he has the potential to be a very good pitcher
at Columbus State" added Appleton.
Chase Gilreath, another freshman, will come to CSU from Dawson
County High School in Dawsonville, Georgia where he plays for Coach
Jim Pruett. Last spring, Gilreath was tabbed the All Region AA
shortstop after batting .532 with 7 homers and 28 RBI's. The four
year starter also holds a school record with 8 RBI in one game. In
addition to his success on the baseball field, Gilreath was also
the starting quarterback for the football team and was a three year
starter on defense. This summer and fall, Gilreath has shown his
prowess as a pitcher for former CSU Cougar Danny Pralgo and his 643
DP baseball program. Thus far in 2009 for 643, Gilreath has
recorded a 3-1 record with 8 saves, throwing 36 innings, striking
out 37, and walking only 9. Chase has another connection with CSU
baseball with his uncle Mark Gilreath. Mark was a CSU Cougar in the
early 90's and a part of the 1990 team that advanced to the DII
Baseball Championship. Appleton believes Gilreath has the ability
to help the Cougars very early in his career. "Chase is not a real
big body but he is very athletic and has an electric arm. He is
also a fierce competitor."
Tyler Carpenter of Milton High School in Alpharetta, Ga, is the
third freshman hurler to join the Cougars. The 6'2" Carpenter put
up very impressive numbers last season for Coach Joey Ray's Eagles
and will look to have another big season as a senior. Last season
in 39 innings, Carpenter had a stellar 1.70 ERA while striking out
51 hitters and walking only 12. With these numbers he garnered
All-Region accolades. He was also the "Eagle" award winner which
was voted on by his teammates and coaches as the player who
represents his team the best with honor, leadership, and effort.
This summer Carpenter played for the East Cobb Astros and was
coached by Wes Fields. “Tyler is very talented and has lots
of potential. I can see him helping us right away and developing
into something special,” states Appleton.
Joining the group of freshman pitchers are freshman infielders
Garrett Houghton and Kenny Miller. Both come from tradition rich
programs and hope to contribute right away at CSU.
Houghton, coached by Lance Oubs, is a senior at The Lovett School
in Atlanta and helped lead the Lions to the 2009 Georgia AA State
Championship - Lovett’s 6th baseball state championship.
During the team’s run to the championship, Houghton played a
crucial role hitting a game winning, come from behind, grand slam
to clinch the region championship. He would go on to hit two more
playoff homeruns and on the season batted .434 with runners in
scoring position while tallying 4 homers. This past summer and
fall, Houghton played for the East Cobb Shamrocks coached by Ryan
Nelson and led the team in several offensive categories.
Defensively, Houghton can play first base, catcher, or outfield.
Appleton loves Houghton’s versatility and believes if he
continues to progress he will be able to make an immediate impact
in 2011. “Garrett is everything you look for in a student
athlete. He is an excellent student, plays for a great high school
program, and has a strong passion for playing the game of
baseball” says Appleton.
Miller, a middle infielder, joins a long list of players who
prepped at Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia, before coming
to CSU. Miller, a 6’2” rangy shortstop, posted a .340
batting average with 6 doubles, 3 triples, and a home run as a
junior. He scored 25 runs and knocked in 12 while adding 8 steals.
Miller also held down the shortstop position for Coach Chan
Brown’s Panther squad by fielding at a very impressive .951
clip. This past summer Miller was named to the prestigious Georgia
Dugout Club’s Top 100 players. He has been named to the
Panthers of Distinction Club twice and has been a scholar athlete 3
times while at Parkview. Appleton believes that much like Houghton,
Miller can play a variety of positions and could help the Cougars
out next season at either SS, 2B, or 3B. “Every time we saw
Kenny play last spring and this summer he got hit after hit and
made play after play. He is a solid ball player who we believe has
the ability to become a very good collegiate baseball player during
his Cougar career” added Appleton.
Right-handed pitchers Chris Graves and Ben Massey will join
Appleton's pitching staff next year and will bring much needed
pitching experience with them. Both Graves and Massey will transfer
from two year colleges with Graves coming from Chattahoochee Valley
Community College in Phenix City, AL and Massey transferring from
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA.
Graves, a local product, played his high school ball at Harris
County High School with current Cougar and former CVCC Pirate All
American Logan Foster. Last season as a freshman, Graves pitched
for NAIA Brewton Parker College where he led the team in virtually
every pitching statistic. He went 7-2 with a 4.38 era while
pitching 6 complete games and 4 shutouts. He threw 49 innings and
walked only 7 while striking out 33. This fall, his numbers were
even more impressive for Adam Thomas's CVCC pitching staff where in
40 innings, Graves struck out 41 men while picking up 3 wins, 2
saves, and walking only 5. His 1.13 era was the lowest on the club
and he held opponents to a .209 batting average. "Chris works fast,
throws strikes, and wins games. He will be counted on to do exactly
that next season when he suits up for us here at Columbus State"
says Appleton.
Massey, a native of Cordele, Ga, led Steve Janousek's ABAC team in
wins with 5, saves with 2, and innings pitched with 84. He will
look to top those numbers as a sophomore as once again he will be
the Stallions' ace. Massey played his high school baseball at Crisp
County High for Coach Bill Pate where he helped lead the Cougars to
the state playoffs his senior year. “Ben will give our team
valuable experience and be counted on immediately to step in and
lead a young pitching staff “ says Appleton.
Lastly, Appleton added former Norhside High and current CVCC
right-hander Tyler Googe to the mix. Appleton will count on Googe's
strong right arm to come in and close games next season for the
Cougars. This fall at CVCC, Tyler saved 5 games while allowing only
3 earned runs in 15 innings for Coach Adam Thomas. He went 1-0 with
a 1.76 ERA, 18 strikeouts, 9 BB, and held opponents to a .200 avg.
At the plate, he was equally as impressive hitting .464 (26 for 56)
with 7 2B, 6 HR, and 24 RBI. This past summer, Googe teamed with
many current Cougars on the Columbus Woodbats of the Great South
League. Interestingly, Googe and his younger sister, Casey - a
softball player at Northside, signed with CSU virtually at the same
time this fall. "After watching Tyler this fall, I feel like we
added an athlete that can help us immediately in the bullpen and
also be a good hitter for us. We are excited to watch him this
spring for CVCC and even more excited to have him and his sister
coming to be Cougars next season," quoted Appleton.
The 2010 edition of Cougar baseball will get underway on February 3
at Ragsdale Field as West Georgia comes to town for the season
opener.
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