CSU Baseball Signs Two

Head Baseball Coach Greg Appleton has announced the first additions to the 2012-2013 recruiting class with the signing of prep standouts Jackson Oliver and Blake Edwards. 

Oliver, a Troup County High School centerfielder has started every game in the outfield since his freshman season.  Last season as a junior, the left-handed hitter put together his best campaign batting .430 with 43 hits in 100 at-bats.  He also recorded 12 doubles, 2 homers, and 20 stolen bases.  For his career, he is a .378 hitter with 27 doubles, 4 triples, 10 homeruns, and has swiped 44 bases.  Oliver has helped lead Coach Craig Garners Tigers to three straight playoff births.

His achievements on the field consist of being named All-Region as a freshman, was the 2009 Rookie of the Year, 2010 Iron Tiger Champion, 2010 and 2011 100 point club (in which he holds the TCH all time record), and was the 2011 Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award winner.

During the summers Oliver has played against some of the nations top talent while competing for the U16 East Cobb Astros (ranked #1 in the nation by Perfect Game at the time), Ohio Warhawks 18U (ranked #7 in the nation at the time), and Mark Fuller's U17 East Alabama A's.

Off the field, Jackson has put together just as impressive numbers sporting a 4.20 GPA while being named the President of the THS Student Council.  He is the Chaplin of the National Honor Society and the Vice President of the Beta Club. 

Oliver will be able to compete for any three of the outfield spots next season and will provide CSU with a quality left-handed bat with power and speed.

Edwards, who is currently in his senior year at Pike County High School in Zebulon, Ga., has been the starting shortstop for Pike County each of his first three years.  As a junior, he compiled a .474 batting average with 46 hits, 13 homeruns and 46 runs scored. 

For his accomplishments, Edwards has been named to the All-Region team each of his past two seasons and has received the Scholar-Athlete Award from his high school.  Edwards currently holds a 4.05 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, and was awarded the State of Georgia Certificate of Merit for being ranked in the top 5% in his class. 

Last season Blake helped Pike County to a runner-up finish in the Georgia Class AA State Championships and has been a major part of three straight region championships.  This past summer he was selected to the Georgia Underclassman Top 100.  His travel ball team, the East Braves, had a runner-up finish at the Perfect Game National Championships.  Other achievements include a first place finish in the National Fletcher Baseball Championship and a runner-up finish in the Omaha National Triple Crown Championship.