ANDERSON, S.C. – On the eve of Head Coach Joe Miller's 22nd season at the helm of the of the Anderson University baseball program, the Trojans have announced the addition of eight standouts to the roster for the 2019 season.
Name: Jack Fassino
Hometown: Seneca, S.C.
High School: Seneca High School
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 210
Position: Infielder
Earned All-Region and All-State honors following the 2017 season … Off the field was named Academic All-Region and was a member of the National Honor Society and Palmetto Boys State … Recorded a .383 batting average with eight doubles, one triple, four home runs and 37 RBI.
Miller on Fassino: "Jack is one of the top hitters in the 2018 class in South Carolina. His power and his athleticism on the infield will be a great addition to our 2019 lineup."
Name: Ryan DeRienzo
Hometown: Lexington, S.C.
High School: Lexington High School
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 190
Position: Outfielder
Batted .291 with two doubles in 2017.
Miller on DeRienzo: "Ryan is an outfielder with power potential. He improves with each season and we are excited to see him continue his career at AU."
Name: Bryan Melvin
Hometown: Aiken, S.C.
High School: Aiken High School
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 160
Position: RHP
Named the team's Most Valuable Pitcher following the 2017 season … Named All-Area Augusta Chronicle Second-Team, All-Area Aiken Standard and All-Region 4 AAAA … Named Team MVP following the 2016 campaign … Earned All-Augusta Chronicle Honorable Mention honors and was named All-Region 5 AAA.
Miller on Melvin: "Bryan has pitched more than 120 innings the past two seasons with 147 strikeouts and has pitched a lot of big games for Aiken. We look for Bryan to continue that success at Anderson in 2019."
Name: Logan Jackson
Hometown: Hendersonville, N.C.
High School: East Henderson High School
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 160
Position: Infielder
Garnered All-Area honors last season with a .417 batting average with three triples, six doubles and eight stolen bases.
Miller on Jackson: "Logan is a shortstop that we are excited to add to our program. Logan's defense is what stands out but he has the potential to develop into an offensive infielder."
Name: Bryson Whaley
Hometown: Seneca S.C.
High School: Seneca High School
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 195
Position: RHP
Named Academic All-Region and a member of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club last year … Named All-Mountain Lakes Baseball and Academic All-Region in 2016 … Named Most Valuable Pitcher and Academic All-Region in 2015.
Miller on Whaley: "Bryson is a right-handed pitcher who went 7-1 in 2017 for Seneca, which finished as runners-up in the state. Bryson throws strikes and had a great junior season. We are excited to have him join our staff at AU."
Name: Cody Adams
Hometown: Saluda, S.C.
High School: Saluda High School
Junior College: USC Salkehatchie
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 170
Position: Outfielder
Earned Second-Team All-Conference honors with the Indians, while posting a .388 batting average, with two home runs and 26 RBI … Two-time All-State, Two-time All-Lakelands and three-time All-Region honoree as a prep standout.
Miller on Adams: "Cody is an outfielder who can hit for high average and possesses gap power. He has hit at every level and should make the transition from junior college to the South Atlantic Conference with no problems."
Name: Zach McClure
Hometown: Canton, Ga.
High School: Creekview High School
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 185
Position: RHP
Notched a 3-1 record with three saves last season … Named a Scholar-Athlete.
Miller on McClure: "Zach was used both as a starter and a closer in 2017, while striking out 29 batters in 25 innings pitched. His versatility and ability to throw strikes will make him a great addition to our 2019 roster."
Name: Drake McConnell
Hometown: Anderson, S.C.
High School: Pendleton High School
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 190
Position: LHP
Named the Bulldogs' top hurler in 2017, while capturing All-Region honors … Earned All-Region accolades in 2016 … Named the Bulldogs' top hurler in 2015.
Miller on McConnell: "Drake ranks in the top-10 at Pendleton in career wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts. He has pitched on the varsity level since his freshman year and we are excited to add a left-handed pitcher with the experience and success Drake has enjoyed at the high school level."
Anderson opens the 2018 campaign with a five-game homestand and will play host to King, Saturday, Feb. 3, at Memorial Stadium. First-pitch for the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.
