ANDERSON, S.C. – On the eve of Head Coach Joe Miller's 21st season at the helm of the of the Anderson University baseball program, the veteran coach has announced the addition of nine prep standouts to the roster for the 2017-18 academic year.
"We are very excited about the incoming class," said assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Cody Penny. "We believe we have a have great group of young men composed of character and passion for the game. On the field they will provide substantial versatility and depth for the Trojans. We as a coaching staff are looking forward to getting them all on campus next fall."
Name: Tyler Berry
Hometown: Lexington, S.C.
High School: Gilbert H.S.
Position: Catcher
Three-year varsity letterwinner ... Helped lead the Indians to a pair of Region 5-AAA Championships ... Named to 2016 IP Classic All-Academic Team ... Member of the 2015 AAA Lower State Runner-Up Team ... Named WACH Fox 57 Student-Athlete of the Week in 2016 ... Tops in his class with a 5.032 GPA ... President of FCA at Gilbert High School for two years.
Penny on Berry: "Tyler is unique in his ability as a switch-hitting catcher, and we really like that about him as a player. The coaching staff and I will look to him to help command our pitching staff early in his career as a Trojan."
Name: Peyton Blake
Hometown: Lexington, S.C.
High School: Northside Christian Academy
Position: LHP
Named Region Player of the Year following his junior campaign ... Earned All-Region honors following both his sophomore and junior seasons ... Played in the SCISA North-South game as a sophomore and junior ... Posted a 7-0 record with a 1.37 ERA in 46 innings during his junior season ... Allowed just 11 hits while fanning 95 batters and surrendered just 11 runs ... Notched a no-hitter and a shutout.
Penny on Blake: "Peyton is a strong left-hander with a live arm. I first saw Peyton at our camp this fall where he possessed the best fastball of the day. The arm really works and it projects to develop much more. We are excited to get him on campus."
Name: Mitchell Cope
Hometown: Matthews, N.C.
High School: Covenant Day H.S.
Position: Middle Inf/RHP
Serves as a team captain and FCA Student Leader ... Member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Honor Roll and Student Council and is a Covenant Day Student Chaplain.
Penny on Cope: "Mitchell is a middle infielder/right-handed pitcher. We really like Mitchell's versatility. Mitch has a solid swing from the left side of the plate and is an above-average defender with plus arm strength. We will look for that arm strength to transfer to the mound also."
Name: Will Lindsey
Hometown: Hendersonville, N.C.
High School: West Henderson H.S.
Position: SS/OF
Named Conference Player of the Year and earned All-Western North Carolina accolades ... Posted a .528 batting average and a .925 fielding percentage last season.
Penny on Lindsey: "Will is outfielder who can really swing it. I really like his ability in the box. Anytime I see a plus .500 batting average I'm confident that the bat will play at this level. The coaching staff and I will look to Will to come in and push for playing time in the outfield right away."
Name: Heath McKay
Hometown: Waxhaw, N.C.
High School: Covenant Day H.S.
Position: RHP
Earned All-Conference honors last season ... Tossed a perfect game during the 2015 season for Carmel Christian School ... Helped lead the Cougars to a Southern Piedmont Athletic Association (SPAA) Conference championship in 2015 ... Named Team MVP while playing outfield, third base and pitching ... Member of the Covenant Day Fellowship of Christian Athletes ... Named Carmel Christian School Baseball Player of the Game during 2014 campaign ... Also lettered in basketball ... Helped lead the Cougars to runners-up in the 2015 SPAA Conference Basketball Tournament ... Member of the BETA Club and the National Society of High School Scholars.
Penny on McKay: "Heath is strong right-hander. He possesses a solid repertoire of pitches with power potential. I believe he will push to be an impact player as a freshman."
Name: Chase Stephens
Hometown: Easley, S.C.
High School: Easley H.S.
Position: 1B/3B/OF
Member of the National Honor Society ... Helped lead the Green Wave to a 26-4 record ... Named All-Region ... Posted a .365 batting average with a home run, 18 singles, 15 doubles and a triple last season ... Drove in 30 runs.
Penny on Stephens: "Chase is athletic with a good frame. He is a corner infielder that also plays outfield. From a coaching standpoint I believe he will only get bigger, stronger and better in his time at Anderson. The coaching staff and I will look to him to come in and contribute at the plate as a freshman. We are excited to see his career unfold."
Name: Britt Thomas
Hometown: North Augusta, S.C.
High School: North Augusta H.S.
Penny on Britt Thomas: "Britt is a big, strong right-hander. I see Britt developing into a true power arm during his time at Anderson. The projectability is off the charts. The coaching staff and I are excited to see what he does as a Trojan."
Name: Jonathan Thomas
Hometown: Dublin, Ohio
High School: Dutch Fork H.S.
Posted a .364 batting average last season and was a member of the Dutch Fork Honor Roll.
Penny on Jonathan Thomas: "Jonathan is an infielder/outfielder. The first thing that you see when watching Jon play is his athleticism and versatility. Jonathan's brother Will has shown similar attributes in his time here as a Trojan. The coaching staff and I are confident that Jonathan will push for time somewhere on the field with his superior versatility."
Name: Trevor Wiesner
Hometown: Easley, S.C.
High School: Easley H.S.
Position: 3B/UT
Notched a .350 batting average and a .459 on-base percentage as a junior, while capturing the Green Wave Award.
Penny on Wiesner: "Trevor is a utility infielder who plays with a lot a fire and determination. The Trojans will look to him to exercise his defensive versatility to make an impact right away."
Anderson opens the 2017 campaign with a four-game homestand and will play host to North Greenville, Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Memorial Stadium. First-pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
