ANDERSON, S.C. – On the eve of Head Coach Joe Miller's 23rd season at the helm of the Anderson University baseball program, the Trojans have announced the addition of eight standouts to the roster for the 2020 season.
Name: Mitch Kyzer
Hometown: Fort Mill, S.C.
High School: Nation Ford
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 200
Position: Catcher/First Base
Member of the Honor Roll and Beta Club … Earned the baseball program's "Grinder Award."
Head Coach Joe Miller on Kyzer: "Mitch is an extremely hard worker both on and off the field. His versatility will benefit our program as he can help us at multiple positions defensively. We are also looking forward to his offensive skills to better our team's hitting."
Name: Trace Furtick
Hometown: Cope, S.C.
High School: Orangeburg Prep
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 170
Position: Pitcher
Three-time South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) All-Star … Earned All-Region Accolades twice.
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator PJ Zocchi on Furtick: "We are extremely excited to add Trace to our program. Trace is a leader on and off the field. He is the ultimate competitor on the mound and possesses the ability to help lead our program as a freshman."
Name: Drew Hallgren
Hometown: Canton, Ohio
High School: Canton Central Catholic
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 190
Position: Pitcher
Three-year varsity letterwinner … National Honor Society nominee … Member of the Honor Roll.
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator PJ Zocchi on Hallgren: "We are excited to have Drew coming to Anderson University. Drew has a tremendous upside on the mound. He has the potential to develop into a really special arm."
Name: Ethan Stalnecker
Hometown: Hanover, Pa.
High School: South Western
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 170
Position: Pitcher
Named Rookie of the Year following 2016-17 season … Holds school record for Walks Plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP).
Head Coach Joe Miller on Stalnecker: "Ethan knows how to pitch. He throws three pitches for strikes and we are excited to have him join our pitching staff."
Name: Nathan Ledford
Hometown: Clover, S.C.
High School: Gaston Christian
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 205
Position: Pitcher
Earned All-Conference honors … Named MVP following junior season … Earned Offensive Player of the Year following freshman and sophomore campaigns.
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator PJ Zocchi on Ledford: "We are also extremely excited to have Nathan. Nathan throws three pitches for strikes at any time. We look forward to Nathan competing early in his college career."
Name: Landon Henley
Hometown: Clyde, N.C.
High School: Tuscola High School
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 230
Position: Pitcher
Also lettered for the Mountaineers' basketball team … Serves as team captain on baseball and basketball squads … Owns six school hoops records, including all-time rebounding mark … Named a state finalist for Wendy's High School Heisman Award … Owns a 4.0+ GPA … Member/President/Choreographer of "Summit" – Tuscola Advanced Choral Ensemble … Member of the Spirit Club and the National Honor Society … UNIFIED Special Needs Club Peer Helper … Earned All-Conference, All-District and All-Western North Carolina honors in basketball following his junior season … Named varsity Pitcher of the Year and earned All-Conference honors as a junior … Named Runner-up WMAC Pitcher of the Year as a junior.
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator PJ Zocchi on Henley: "Landon is a multi-sport athlete who is the type of player that will help take Anderson University to new heights. Landon is one of the most competitive kids I have seen in a while with everything he does."
Name: Hollan Johnson
Hometown: Watkinsville, Ga.
High School: Westminster Christian Academy
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 180
Position: Catcher
Earned Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association (GICAA) All-State honors … Named All-GICAA All-Region … Named Defensive MVP.
Head Coach Joe Miller on Johnson: "Hollan is a solid defensive presence behind the plate and will also benefit our program from an offensive standpoint. We are excited for him to get on campus for next season."
Name: Zach Clover
Hometown: Cary, N.C.
High School: Panther Creek
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 205
Position: Pitcher/First Base
Three-year varsity letterwinner … Also played for USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) - Southeast Region.
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator PJ Zocchi on Clover: "Zach has the ability to come in and compete as a two-way player. We are really looking forward to the potential that Zach shows on the mound. He has the potential to anchor down the bullpen early in his career."
Anderson will play seven of its first eight games and 12 of its first 15 contests in the Electric City, while opening the 2019 schedule with a three-game homestand versus King. First-pitch for the season-opening doubleheader against the Tornado is set for Saturday, Feb. 2 at 1 p.m.